More in the cross-post on the MRC's NewsBusters blog.
Talking to Bloomberg Politics managing editor Mark Halperin on Monday’s NBC Today, co-host Matt Lauer wondered if the shooting outside a Planned Parenthood facility in Colorado would hurt the GOP politically: “...does the attack take the issue of Planned Parenthood off the table for Republican candidates who don't want to be seen or don't want to risk taking advantage of a tragedy or being on the wrong side of a tragedy?”
Halperin agreed with Lauer’s assessment: “It certainly makes it harder to talk about it in political terms.” He added: “But look, Planned Parenthood, gun violence, ISIS, there's so many big serious issues in a presidential campaign that's been like a circus. Now we have to see how candidates finesse talking about serious things, even in the context of this race.”