George W. Bush: “We will defend the freedoms of the United States of America.”

On behalf of the American people, Laura and I offer our sincere condolences to Betsy and the Wyeth family.

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

Mr. Wyeth captured America in his paintings of his native Pennsylvania and Maine.

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