Ben Carson, Hillary Clinton and Other Presidential Candidates React to Paris Attacks

Friday's terrorist attacks in Paris have shaken the globe and spurred a somber shift in the political conversation all over the world, including in the U.S. presidential race.
By Emily Stewart ,

Friday's terrorist attacks in Paris have spurred a shift in the political conversation all over the world, including in the U.S. presidential race.

"It is an act of war that was committed by a terrorist army, a jihadist army, Daesh, against France," said French President François Hollande in an address to the nation Friday night. "It is an act of war."

President Barack Obama delivered a statement on the incidents from the White House on Friday. "Once again we've seen an outrageous attempt to terrorize innocent civilians. This is an attack not just on Paris, it's an attack not just on the people of France, but this is an attack on all of humanity and the universal values that we share," he said. He promised to "do whatever it takes" to work with France and other nations to bring terrorists and terrorist networks to justice.

Saturday night's Democratic presidential debate, hosted by CBS, is shifting focus. Questions will now concentrate more on terrorism, national security and foreign relations.

Both Democratic and Republican candidates have reacted to the attacks in interviews and via social media. While a few of the Republican candidates have been criticized for politicizing the attacks as they were ongoing and in the immediate aftermath, most of the candidates offered more somber and muted reactions. 

Neurosurgeon Ben Carson was one of those politicizing the incidents, saying on Friday at the Sunshine Summit in Orlando, Fla. that the United States should block refugees from the Middle East from coming to the U.S., reports the Washington Post.

"If we're going to be bringing 200,000 people over here from that region -- if I were one of the leaders of the global jihadist movement and I didn't infiltrate that group of people with my people, that would almost be malpractice," he said.

He also placed blame on the Obama administration for "not having the kind of vision that would allow you to recognize that once you've gotten a place like Iraq under control you don't withdraw, which leaves an incredible vacuum and allows for the development of things like ISIS."

Carson's statement via Twitter was much more subdued:

Donald Trump, who is about tied with Carson in Republican polls, first offered his condolences before politicizing the attacks as well in a string of tweets, which he concluded with, "We need much tougher, much smarter leadership - and we need it NOW!"

Texas Senator Ted Cruz also posted a string of tweets first offering thoughts and prayers and then directing followers to his website. He struck a much less political tone than some of the other candidates: 

Florida Senator Marco Rubio sent out a string of tweets, calling for the American people to stand with France and to increase defense efforts against terrorists. 

Other candidates reacted as well. 

Former Speaker of the House and 2012 presidential candidate Newt Gingrich reacted with a sharp political tone to the tragedy, taking to Twitter to advocate for more lax gun control laws and concealed carry permissions. French media took note of Gingrich's comments and slammed his insensitivity. "Newt Gingrich, shame on you," French 24's Mark Owen said.

This article is commentary by an independent contributor. At the time of publication, the author held no positions in the stocks mentioned.

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