Q: I want to get started with the tragic shooting in Pittsburgh over the weekend. I wonder what you think is behind this hate and whether you see any—where you see culpability kind of across the spectrum in this country.

THE VICE PRESIDENT: Well, Jake, first, thank you for having me here. I want to thank Lockheed Martin for hosting this event and thank you for both for the invitation.

You know, I think the hearts of every American are heavy today with the terrible attack that took place Saturday morning at a Jewish synagogue in Pittsburgh. The President and the First Lady will be in Pittsburgh today. In this country, we mourn with those who mourn and we grieve with those who grieve. And the President will be there. But I know people all across this country will be there in their hearts.

We've made it clear that this was not just a criminal act, this was evil. And we will not let violence or anti-Semitism take hold in the United States of America. We will condemn it wherever it rears its ugly head. And the President and I have done that forcefully.

We'll also bring to justice the individual involved here. And as our federal prosecutors have assured, that justice will be swift and severe. But I think, as we go forward, it's important that we hold those accountable that are responsible for the acts—and in this case, this deranged individual or the individual in Florida who was sending pipe bombs that were sent to the Obamas, to the Clintons, to CNN, and other public figures.

But I think it's very important that we focus on holding those accountable to the fullest extent of the law that engage in these types of activities, while, at the same time, we preserve the very freedoms that are the fabric of our nation—the freedom of speech, the freedom of religion.

And our administration, the President on down, and I are committed to doing just that.

Q: You talk about that—Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell said yesterday in Louisville—you [he] said, "...just collectively it seems to me we need to turn down the temperature." We need to tone—turn the tone down. Freedom of speech—of course. But do you agree with that—that the tone needs to change?

THE VICE PRESIDENT: Well, I—look, everyone has their own style and there's strong rhetoric on both sides of the aisle. But I honestly think it's important that we continue to celebrate and debate the important issues that our country is facing.

One week from today, the American people will gather for critical midterm elections. And we welcome a good and vigorous debate on everything from national security to economic growth and jobs to healthcare to our courts. And I think that debate should go forward.

But yes—do I believe that making sure that we communicate those things in a substantive way is important? But I never want to—I never want to tell anyone in the public debate that you can't express yourself from your heart in the way that's important to you and in a way that communicates with people.

And again, I think it's important we—that we don't connect the evil acts that we've witnessed in Pittsburgh—with a horrible attack on the synagogue or the sending of threats of violence and devices through the mail to public figures—it's important we don't connect those acts to the public debate. I think we have always had a vigorous public debate in America and I think we always should have a vigorous public debate. And we should welcome that and embrace that.

And at the same time, we should hold people accountable who threaten our people, who conduct violence and who violate our laws... Subscribe for free to Breaking Christian News here

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