WHAT TO WATCH FOR – AT 11:26 A.M. ET:   There will be plenty going on today in response to the horror in Orlando.  Watch for these things:

1.  The reaction of the White House.  Will the president mention radical Islam?  Highly unlikely.  I suspect he will focus on the gay identity of the victims, and probably mention something about the use of guns in the crime.  But it would be refreshing if he would finally, and maturely, deal with the probability that the perpetrator was a radicalized Muslim.

2.  The statements by presidential contenders.  Hillary Clinton was secretary of state, and did precious little to confront Islamic terror.  Of course, she was restricted by Obama.  Will she be forthright about today's attack, or hide behind political correctness?  As for Donald Trump, we'll be looking for some attempt to sound presidential.  Or will he trip all over himself just to sound "tough"?  Toughness, as an old saying goes, is not a policy.  This could be a major moment for Trump to prove himself as a thoughtful, careful man.  I fear he'll blow it.  Also, remember that Bernie Sanders is still in the race.  Will his response reflect the horror of the act?  Or will he go left-wing crazy and blame the United States? 

3.  Law enforcement.  The FBI will probably be the lead investigatory agency.  It will carry out this investigation at the same time it is probing Hillary Clinton.  Will the two probes influence each other?  Will the severity of this attack give added emphasis to Clinton's negligence in protecting the national secrets of the United States?

4.  Further attacks.  It is the month of Ramadan.  This is the second major terrorist attack during Ramadan, the first being in Israel earlier this week, leaving five dead.  ISIS put out a video just before Ramadan began predicting terror during the period.  We must, realistically, expect more attacks, and some may come in the United States.

June 12, 2016