Homeless woman kissed by Obama gets aid offers

[Hope And Change]

President Obama talks to Henrietta Hughes at a town hall rally in Fort Myers, Florida, on Tuesday.

Homeless woman's plea to Obama draws flood of support

updated 44 minutes ago

By Ed Hornick

CNN

(CNN) -- She's being hailed as the "face of the economic crisis," and now Henrietta Hughes has become something of a media star after reaching out to President Obama in an emotional plea for help.

Her message: My son and I are homeless, and we need immediate help.

"I have an urgent need, unemployment and homelessness, a very small vehicle for my family and I to live in," Hughes told Obama Tuesday at a town hall rally in Fort Myers, Florida, as he pushed for passage of his stimulus plan in the Senate. "The housing authority has two years waiting lists, and we need something more than the vehicle and the parks to go to. We need our own kitchen and our own bathroom. Please help."

Hughes said she had been homeless after her son lost his job and, subsequently, their home. Although her son has been looking for work, Hughes says, so far, no luck.

The Fort Myers-Coral Gables area -- in heavily Republican Lee County, which went for GOP presidential nominee John McCain in the 2008 election -- has seen record housing foreclosure rates.


http://edition.cnn.com/2009/POLITICS/02/11/henrietta.hughes/index.html">Full article here

[sandnsea]

1. She should have a Homeless Open House

And invite the same people who are helping her to help the rest of the homeless.

At least people will recognize that they can't personally meet the needs of every homeless person and that it takes an organized, FUNDED, effort.

[NYC_SKP]

2. An interesting detail. Henrietta Hughes did not vote in 2008

Because she didn't have a home... think about that.

ship:
White House spokesman Joshua Earnest said Wednesday that after she spoke, the administration connected Hughes -- who did not vote in the 2008 election because she didn't have a home -- with local housing officials, who happened to be in the crowd.

And it wasn't just officials reaching out.

Chene Thompson -- the wife of state Rep. Nicholas Thompson, R-Fort Myers -- offered Hughes and her son a house in nearby La Belle rent-free, according to a spokeswoman.

"Basically, I offered Ms. Hughes and her son the opportunity to stay in my home rent-free for as long as they need to," Thompson told WBBH-TV in Fort Myers. "I'm not a millionaire, I'm not rich, but this is what I can do for someone if they need it."

end snip.

God bless her and her son.

http://henriettahughes.com/

[ayeshahaqqiqa]

3. Glad to see this is a bipartisan effort

the mayor of Ft. Myers and that representative, both Republicans, appear to be helping her out. The conservative bloggers who dissed her--well, hopefully they are a dying breed. It was obvious that the mayor and the rep want to change the image of their party to one of compassion rather than hate--a breath of fresh air, I say. It will be interesting to see, in the coming months, if the compassionate Republicans win out over the others.

[AtomicKitten]

4. I was wondering how her life would change after a smooch from the president.

I hope all Americans in need find help too.

Bless you Henrietta.

K&R

[4lbs]

5. So, the Republican wife of a Republican Representative offered her the house.

I'd like to see how the Freepers and Rushies think about that, and if they still think Henrietta was an "Obama plant". :eyes:

[snowbear]

6. Just because her husband is an rTHUG, doesn't mean she is..

.
.

Who knows what party she's a member of... or who she voted for behind the closed curtain..





--

[4lbs]

7. Yeah. Although every spouse of a Republican I know also votes GOP. So, based on my experience,

she's likely a Republican. Although she and her husband seem to be moderate Republicans, not Christian fundie GOP.

[snowbear]

8. She could also be a major Obama supporter..

.
.

..for all we know.

http://www.smh.com.au/ffximage/2008/06/25/obama_wideweb__470x437,0.jpg

[4lbs]

9. Could be. In any case, her action is to be commended, regardless of her actual political

affiliation.

[Jennicut]

11. Agreed. Even a Repubs can do the right things at times.

That takes them one step closer away from the Rethug party and turning them...hopefully...into independents or Dems.

[AZBlue]

12. Who cares what party she's from? Doesn't this strip us all down to just human beings?

Not ALL Republicans are evil.

[InAbLuEsTaTe]

10. Obama has the Midas touch doesn't he? Pretty soon he'll be raising the dead.

[jberryhill]

13. Wrong - You Can't Spread Aids That Way

Sincerely,

Emily Litella