It has been more than half a century since Arthur Bremer attempted to assassinate former Gov. George Wallace during a presidential campaign appearance in Laurel, Md.
Regrettably, even though culture and politics have evolved, we are still living through acts of political violence in American.
When the news broke about the attempt on Wallace's life on May 15, 1972, then-California Gov. Ronald Reagan offered impromptu remarks, noting how the "outgrowth of hatred" that was injected into the politics of that moment was responsible for those who acted on it.
"[W]e've had such tragedies in the last several years in the area of political candidates and office holders of this kind," Reagan said. "And isn't this an outgrowth of the hatred that seems to have been injected into what has been in the past simply normal competition and normal rivalry in certainly election year emotionalism and all."
He continued, "If something is to be done about this kind of tragedy for anyone, isn't it necessary that all of us review our own attitude and say, yes, it is possible for men and women of good will to differ, to have opposing viewpoints, to discuss and debate them and perhaps never to come to agreement on them, but as God is in his Heaven, do we have to hate each other to the point that people with less balance are stimulated to deeds of this kind?"
(h/t David Azbell, Art of Alabama Politics)
Jeff Poor is the editor-in-chief of 1819 News and host of "The Jeff Poor Show," heard Monday-Friday, 9 a.m.-noon on Mobile's FM Talk 106.5. To connect or comment, email [email protected] or follow him on Twitter @jeff_poor.
Don't miss out! Subscribe to our newsletter and get our top stories every weekday morning.
