http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worl...me-better.html

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Barack Obama appealed for America to honour those who died in the Arizona rampage by becoming a better, more unified country, in a speech that reaffirmed his leadership qualities and was richly praised by politicians of all hues.

Addressing an emotional memorial service, Mr Obama said there was no way of knowing what had caused the deranged actions of the gunman who opened fire on a crowd meeting Gabrielle Giffords, a Democratic congresswoman, killing six and injuring 14.
He was also able to report that Miss Giffords had opened her eyes for the first time since she was shot in the head, while paying detailed tributes to those killed, singling out Christina-Taylor Green, a nine-year-old primary schoolgirl.
Mr Obama deftly said the lost lives should prompt political opponents to tone down their feuds, while avoiding contributing to the cycle of blame, as Sarah Palin, the former Republican vice-presidential candidate, had done on Wednesday by describing accusations she bore some responsibility as "blood libel".
Instead he tried to leave indelible memories of the people who were gunned down and to use the tragedy as a moment to reflect on America's behaviour and political comportment.
"I believe we can be better," he said late on Wednesday to a capacity audience at the University of Arizona in Tucson and a nationwide television audience.
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"Those who died here, those who saved lives here – they help me believe. We may not be able to stop all evil in the world, but I know that how we treat one another is entirely up to us."
"Let's remember that it is not because a simple lack of civility caused this tragedy. It did not," he said, adding: "At a time when our discourse has become so sharply polarised it's important for us to pause for a moment and make sure that we are talking with each other in a way that heals, not a way that wounds."
Glenn Beck, the radio and television presenter who issues near-daily rants against the Obama administration as a threat to the nation, was among the conservatives to offer his applause.
"Thank you, Mr President, for being the President of the United States of America," he said on a show yesterday. "Thank you for your speech last night. It was a great speech."
Rich Lowry, editor of the National Review, wrote: "President Obama turned in a magnificent performance. This was a non-accusatory, genuinely civil, case for civility, in stark contrast to what we've read and heard over the last few days."
Aides said that the theme of unity – one which played a major part in Mr Obama's election in 2008 but was lost in his first two years – would also be broached in the president's state of the union later this month.
Robert Gibbs, the White House press secretary, made it clear the president believed some good could come out of the tragedy and that he would continue to encourage a more civil public conversation.
"How we discuss issues will definitely play a role in this year's state of the union," he said.
After the Democrats' heavy defeat in the midterm elections, the president admitted he had to do more to work with Republicans and to improve the political tone himself. He quickly reached several compromises before in the end of the previous session of Congress in late December.
"You will see a much greater effort on our part," said Mr Gibbs.