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BY ALLIE SPILLYARDS

You're watching multisource politics video news analysis from Newsy. 

It was the silver lining to what had become a poisonous atmosphere. Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords returned to the House floor to vote in the passage of the long awaited debt deal.

“There’s the best shot you’ve seen right there of Gabrielle Giffords. The short hair and the glasses- she looks very different then when she served with the long, flowing blonde hair. Again, on a very important policy question. We’ll get back to it. This is a remarkable human drama.”

Now, with one vote behind her after recovering from a gunshot wound to the head in January -- the media is buzzing -- is Giffords running for re-election in 2012? DNC Chairwoman -- and Giffords’ friend -- Debbie Wasserman Schultz tells MSNBC’s Morning Joe...

“We’re certainly getting her ready to make sure she can run for reelection at the point that they’re ready to decide on that... Her supporters in Arizona and across the country, her colleauges are making sure that she doesn’t have to start from scratch when she makes that decision.”

Giffords’ so-called miraculous recovery has been revered by politicians on both sides of the aisle-- but Politico reports the drive behind her run may be more politically charged than a nod to her strong will and determination.

“The vigorous effort is in no small part guided by political reality: Giffords is a popular, moderate pol who’s found a way to survive in a state that is trending increasingly conservative. She is one of three remaining Democrats in Arizona’s eight-member delegation. Finding another contender who could win her seat — previously in Republican hands for more than two decades — would be a tall order.”

But according to the Hill’s Danielle Strauss and Cameron Joseph -- the claims of a reelection campaign aren’t necessarily unfounded.

“Prior to the shooting, Giffords was said to be considering running for the U.S. Senate in Arizona.”

So if she does decide to run -- is she ready? The New York Times reports...

“Although that recovery has been significant... Giffords was unsteady on her feet as her colleagues crowded around her and did not take the microphone to speak. Her aides said in June that she struggled to communicate complex thoughts and would decide her next political step before the filing deadline next May.”

According to Tuscon’s KOLD, Giffords campaign has already raised more than a half million dollars -- but her staff continues to say no final decision to run has been made.


 

Transcript by Newsy.