[Recovering_Democrat]

Sorry folks, but I really think this is exploitation of this woman. And the people of her district are not being represented in Congress.

I do not wish her ill, but I do not believe the people around her are doing anything but allowing her public appearances to be used for public relations, not gpvernance.

And the press, the so-called objective press, doesn't seem interested in the governing part of the job of a representative.

Am I alone? How do the people of the district believe?

[discostu]

Given her leanings I prefer her NOT voting in Congress.

[LibLieSlayer]

She blamed Palin the other day for her being shot... she lied about a surveyor mark on a map online... it was not cross hairs of a sniper scope as this woman claimed... at least stephanoloplis reported it that way. It may not be PC but... screw her. I hope she gets well and some Conservative runs against her and takes her seat away and puts her on obama's unemployment line.

LLS

[matthew fuller]

"Am I alone? How do the people of the district believe? "

I wouldn't know how many agree with you, probably some, but I feel like it is a matter solely between herself and her constituents, her medical team, and her family and husband. I have a feeling that it is probably something that she wants to do, and that her medical advisors approved, or even reccommended the event.

[kenavi]

Is this the Huffington Post?

[ExNewsExSpook]

Here’s a question, as someone stationed at Davis-Monthan AFB many years ago: did Congresswoman Giffords ever serve Thanksgiving dinnner to the airmen before she was shot?

And one more thought: yeah, it’s a great photo-op, but most of the airmen at D-M can’t vote for her, since they’re residents of other states and cast absentee ballots. Just wondering...how many times has Ms. Giffords voted in favor of legislation that would make it easier for military absentee voters to cast their ballots and have them counted?

I’ll defer to Freepers who live in her district, but I can probably guess the answers to both questions.

[The Great RJ]

While Ms. Giffords is making a remarkable recovery, I seriously doubt she can at this point effectively represent her district in Congress. However, any Republican challenger will be walking on eggs if they dare to raise this question and she will campaign only through photo ops and not ever be found in a debate with her opponent in the election.

This is exactly what happened when Sen. Tim Johnson (D-SD) suffered a stroke in December 2006. While Johnson returned to the Senate in February 2007 his appearances were carefully staged and scripted to hide his real state of health. During his campaign for re-election in 2008 he never appeared in debates, his campaign stops were mostly photo ops and he rarely spoke at length in public. His challenger dared not raise the question of his health or challenge him to debate the issues. He was re-elected with 62% of the vote. While before his illness Johnson would not always vote on party lines, following his illness he has voted in lockstep with Harry Reid.

[Gene Eric]

I welcome the news of her progress. Thanks for posting.