Most 2016 presidential candidates quickly jumped in to offer their “thoughts and prayers” on Twitter following Wednesday’s mass shooting in San Bernardino, California.
It’s a gesture that seems to have become sadly routine on the campaign trail. As you can see below, presidential aspirants have fired off nearly identical tweets in the aftermath of several high profile shootings this year.
Many gun control advocates have grown frustrated with this repeating cycle. For them, “thoughts and prayers” are not nearly enough. They want action.
Inland Regional Center shooting in San Bernardino, California
Praying for the victims, their families & the San Bernardino first responders in the wake of this tragic shooting.
— Jeb Bush (@JebBush) December 2, 2015Our thoughts and prayers are with the victims, their loved ones and all those impacted by today's tragedy in California #SanBernadino
— Rick Santorum (@RickSantorum) December 3, 2015Praying for those impacted by the shooting in California today.
— Gov. Mike Huckabee (@GovMikeHuckabee) December 2, 2015My thoughts and prayers are with the shooting victims and their families in San Bernardino.
— Dr. Ben Carson (@RealBenCarson) December 2, 2015Thoughts & prayers are with #SanBernardino
— Lindsey Graham (@LindseyGrahamSC) December 2, 2015My thoughts & prayers go out to those impacted by the shooting in San Bernardino, especially the first responders. -John
— John Kasich (@JohnKasich) December 2, 2015Our prayers are with the victims, their families, and the first responders in San Bernardino who willingly go into harm’s way to save others
— Ted Cruz (@tedcruz) December 2, 2015Praying for all those victimized by the shootings in San Bernardino, California today.
— Governor Christie (@GovChristie) December 2, 2015My thoughts and prayers are with the victims, families, and brave first responders during this unspeakable tragedy.
— Dr. Rand Paul (@RandPaul) December 2, 2015California shooting looks very bad. Good luck to law enforcement and God bless. This is when our police are so appreciated!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) December 2, 2015Heartfelt sympathy for victims of yesterday’s terrorist attack in California.
Our thoughts and prayers are with them and their families.
— Jim Gilmore (@gov_gilmore) December 3, 2015Praying for the victims and first responders in #SanBernardino for a quick resolution.
— George E. Pataki (@GovernorPataki) December 2, 2015I refuse to accept this as normal. We must take action to stop gun violence now. -H https://t.co/SkKglwQycb
— Hillary Clinton (@HillaryClinton) December 2, 2015Horrifying news out of #SanBernardino. Enough is enough: it's time to stand up to the @NRA and enact meaningful gun safety laws
— Martin O'Malley (@MartinOMalley) December 2, 2015Mass shootings are becoming an almost-everyday occurrence in this country. This sickening and senseless gun violence must stop.
— Bernie Sanders (@BernieSanders) December 2, 2015Planned Parenthood shooting in Colorado Springs, Colorado
Praying for the loved ones of those killed, those injured & first responders who bravely got the situation under control in Colorado Springs
— Ted Cruz (@tedcruz) November 28, 2015Today and every day, we #StandWithPP. https://t.co/oifqTQLx1X
— Hillary Clinton (@HillaryClinton) November 27, 2015My thoughts and prayers are with those in Colorado. #StandWithPP
— Martin O'Malley (@MartinOMalley) November 28, 2015We proudly #StandWithPP of Colorado Springs and the brave law enforcement personnel who fought to protect it.
— Bernie Sanders (@BernieSanders) November 28, 2015Umpqua Community College shooting in Roseburg, Oregon
Praying for Umpqua Community College, the victims, and families impacted by this senseless tragedy.
— Jeb Bush (@JebBush) October 1, 2015Praying for all those affected by the horrific violence in Oregon. Thankful for the heroic actions of first responders and law enforcement.
— Marco Rubio (@marcorubio) October 2, 2015My prayers are with everyone in Oregon. May the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, guard your hearts.
— Gov. Mike Huckabee (@GovMikeHuckabee) October 1, 2015My thoughts and prayers are with the victims and their families of this terrible tragedy at Umpqua Community College.
— Lindsey Graham (@LindseyGrahamSC) October 1, 2015The thoughts and prayers of Ohioans go out to the families & victims of the tragic shooting in Oregon today. -John
— John Kasich (@JohnKasich) October 1, 2015It's with a heavy heart that we all pray for those killed or injured in Oregon today. #UCCShooting
— George E. Pataki (@GovernorPataki) October 1, 2015Another devastating shooting. We need sensible gun control measures to save lives, and I will do everything I can to achieve that. -H
— Hillary Clinton (@HillaryClinton) October 1, 2015My heart is with those who lost so much today in Oregon. -O’M
— Martin O'Malley (@MartinOMalley) October 1, 2015Another senseless tragedy with more innocent people killed. Our hearts go out to the families. -B
— Bernie Sanders (@SenSanders) October 1, 2015WDBJ shooting in Roanoke, Virginia
Shocked by the horrific murders in Roanoke. Columba and I are praying for Alison, Adam and all those affected.
— Jeb Bush (@JebBush) August 26, 2015Saddened by the deadly shooting in Virginia this morning. My thoughts and prayers are with the family and friends of the victims.
— Marco Rubio (@marcorubio) August 26, 2015Janet & I are heartbroken by the deaths of @WDBJ7 journalists Alison Parker & Adam Ward. Praying for everyone affected by this tragedy.
— Gov. Mike Huckabee (@GovMikeHuckabee) August 26, 2015My prayers go out to the @WDBJ7 family and their tragic loss this morning.
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— Dr. Ben Carson (@RealBenCarson) August 26, 2015
My thoughts and prayers are with the victims, their families, and #WDBJ7. Absolutely heartbreaking.
— Lindsey Graham (@LindseyGrahamSC) August 26, 2015
My thoughts & prayers go out to Roanoke & the families and friends of the victims of this senseless violent act. -John
— John Kasich (@JohnKasich) August 26, 2015
All of our thoughts and prayers are with the family, friends, and loved ones of @WDBJ7’s Alison and Adam.
— Ted Cruz (@tedcruz) August 26, 2015
Heartbroken and angry. We must act to stop gun violence, and we cannot wait any longer. Praying for the victims' families in Virginia. -H
— Hillary Clinton (@HillaryClinton) August 26, 2015
Senseless. Awful. My thoughts are with the entire @WDBJ7 family. -O'M https://t.co/0LSdthgKE7
— Martin O'Malley (@MartinOMalley) August 26, 2015
I am saddened by the senseless deaths of Alison Parker and Adam Ward. Jane and I have their families and friends in our thoughts.
— Bernie Sanders (@BernieSanders) August 26, 2015
Tennessee National Guard shooting in Chattanooga, Tennessee
Praying for our fallen Marines. A tragic attack on those who sacrifice for our country http://t.co/toFD0ZNCgY
— Jeb Bush (@JebBush) July 16, 2015
Terrible attack in Chattanooga today. Please join me in praying for victims, their families, and @USMarineCorps.
— Marco Rubio (@marcorubio) July 16, 2015
.@KarenSantorum and I are keeping the victims & those effected by the tragedy in #Chattanooga in our prayers.
— Rick Santorum (@RickSantorum) July 17, 2015
Please pray for the people of Chattanooga, especially the families of the victims.
— Gov. Mike Huckabee (@GovMikeHuckabee) July 16, 2015
Please join me as we pray for the 4 #Marines, their families and all those involved. #Chattanooga
— Dr. Ben Carson (@RealBenCarson) July 16, 2015
My thoughts and prayers go out to the families of the four Marines who were killed in today’s horrific attack.
— Lindsey Graham (@LindseyGrahamSC) July 16, 2015
Praying for the 4 Marines, their families, and all those impacted in the #Chattanooga shooting.
— Senator Ted Cruz (@SenTedCruz) July 16, 2015
Deeply saddened & disturbed by the shooting in #Chattanooga. My thoughts & prayers are with the families & Marines taken from us today.
— Dr. Rand Paul (@RandPaul) July 16, 2015
Thoughts and prayers to the families of the four great Marines killed today.
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) July 16, 2015
Emanuel African Methodist Episcopal Church shooting in Charleston, South Carolina
Our thoughts and prayers are with the individuals and families affected by the tragic events in Charleston.
— Jeb Bush (@JebBush) June 18, 2015
Saddened by the news from Charleston. The victims and their families are in my prayers today.
— Marco Rubio (@marcorubio) June 18, 2015
Karen and I extend our deepest sympathies and prayers to the victims of the despicable horror in Charleston. -RJS pic.twitter.com/3s69fj3hdW
— Rick Santorum (@RickSantorum) June 18, 2015
My heartfelt prayers go out to the victims of the shooting at Emanuel African Methodist Episcopal Church in Charleston.
— Gov. Mike Huckabee (@GovMikeHuckabee) June 18, 2015
Statement on the Charleston Shooting. #PrayersForCharleston pic.twitter.com/P6SoosdQ7A
— Lindsey Graham (@GrahamBlog) June 18, 2015
Kelley and I are praying for everyone affected by this senseless tragedy in Charleston.
— Dr. Rand Paul (@RandPaul) June 18, 2015
The tragedy in South Carolina is incomprehensible. My deepest condolences to all.
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) June 18, 2015
Heartbreaking news from Charleston – my thoughts and prayers are with you all. -H
— Hillary Clinton (@HillaryClinton) June 18, 2015
My heart goes out to the victims of this tragedy & their loved ones. Katie & I are keeping Charleston & the AME community in our prayers.
— Martin O'Malley (@MartinOMalley) June 18, 2015
The Charleston church killings are a tragic reminder of the ugly stain of racism that still taints our nation. pic.twitter.com/3R4zKLqq2q
— Bernie Sanders (@SenSanders) June 18, 2015
John Axelrod
Erica K. Landau