George W. Bush: “The fight we have begun will not be quickly or easily finished.”

We are heartbroken by the loss of life and the agony so many are feeling.

Violence and vitriol must be purged from the public square. Members of other political parties are not our enemies; they are our fellow citizens.

We know our words cannot help, but we believe the prayers of so many Americans will.

If any voters came hoping for a kind word and a hug, they’d have to settle for the kind word.