WASHINGTON -- Several of the 2016 Republican presidential candidates are addressing Ralph Reed's Faith and Freedom Coalition conference today, emphasizing their social conservative credentials.
They also are talking about the Charleston AME church shooting with a faith-based perspective, while not recommending any new laws or policy.
Former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush had arrived in Charleston to campaign shortly after the shooting Wednesday night and called off his events there the next day. Said Bush:
"I don't know what was on the mind or heart of the man who committed these atrocious crimes, but I do know what was in the heart of the victims. They were meeting in brotherhood and sisterhood in that church. …
"They were learning and studying the word of the Lord to find grace in his Kingdom, to fill his house with love. At times like these, in times of great national mourning, people of faith, all of us must come together and at least reflect on this and fortify our strength, love of Christ, love of God, to be able to continue to go forth.
"I don't know about you, but this has had a big impact on me. I'm sure it has with you. We need to support each other. We must continue to bear witness to the truth that God acts through us, and that even in crisis, even in desperate times, we can always walk arm in arm with our brothers and sisters and look to the heavens and know we're children of God.
"That gives us all strength, and I know your hearts and prayers are with the families and with the pastor who lost his life, and let us hope it never ever, ever happens again."
New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie also spoke of prayer, but explicitly said the crime should not prompt any new laws -- a counter to President Barack Obama's frustrated call for gun control:
"Only the goodwill and the love of the American people can let folks know that that act was unacceptable, disgraceful and that we need to do more to show that we love each other. Open our chests, open our hearts and show love to each other.
"That's what leadership is about, too, everybody. And so I pray for those families today, and I suspect you will too. And if we can have the power of our prayers and the power of our conduct be an example to those who have hate in their hearts, then we're doing what we need to do to make our community and our states and our country a better place.
"I know that this audience believes that. And I know that it's the way you live your lives. So let us use the power we derive from that in a way that will help to heal the wounds of these families.
"It's moments like this where America comes together and shows the rest of the world what a great nation we really are. And I know you'll be a part of that and you can count on the fact that I will be too."
Neurosurgeon Ben Carson, the only African-American in the presidential field, noted that he had just spoken a few weeks ago to slain state Sen. Clementa Pinckney. He opened his speech with a moment of silence for the victims and an allusion to the racial strife:
"These things hit so close to home, and if we don't pay close attention to the hatred and the division that's going on in our nation, this is just a harbinger of what we can expect."
Ohio Gov. John Kasich made only oblique mention of the shooting:
"This tragedy that has all of us crying and many bleeding represents a vicious vision. It can be healed. It can be healed. America can be healed. We just have to get back to the basics."
Louisiana Gov. Bobby Jindal opened by leading a prayer himself:
"Dear God, we just come to you with deep sorrow in our hearts. Father Lord we just grieve deeply for our brothers and sisters who lost their lives studying your Holy Scripture in a sanctuary, in a church in a house of God."
We're expecting more today from Rick Santorum.
About the Author
