Helen Thomas weighs in on Obama press conference

[slipslidingaway]

Run time: 01:36 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y9GFVCufXVI   Posted on YouTube: February 10, 2009 By YouTube Member: Views on YouTube: 0   Posted on DU: February 12, 2009 By DU Member: slipslidingaway Views on DU: 4768

 
President Obama's first press conference - Helen Thomas gets to at least ASK a question...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lVGWdLsAoBA

[Thrill]

1. He knows. But an American President isn't going

to say Israel has nukes

[The Wielding Truth]

25. If Israel has nukes, they don't need us anymore.

[jeff30997]

26. WHAT ???

IF Israel has nukes ? You're kidding right ?

[crikkett]

31. could be why the Israeli PM was bossing Bush around but,

they still need our money and warships and bunker-buster bombs.

That's why I say Obama should tell Israel: stop the war crimes, or no money and bombs for you.

[Radical Activist]

2. very cool

I appreciate her more all the time.

[earcandle]

21. I'd sign up. She reminds me of my mom.

[midnight]

3. Helen Thomas

She is so brilliant. I hope she has some interns that are planning to fashion themselves after her sense of responsibility, intelligence, and dedication to informing the public.

[Mithreal]

4. Helen is awesome. nt

[Left Coast2020]

5. Bless you Professor Thomas: The Dean of the WH Press Corp.

:toast:

[DFW]

6. Before the inauguration, Helen already said she wouldn't give Obama a free ride

I'm disappointed that Obama didn't give her the first question, re-instituting the practice
that Bush Lite so conspicuously discontinued. It would have shown not only a contempt for
Bush's fear of Helen, but also shown Helen the respect she deserves. She'll be 89 this year,
and as you can see in the video, is as sharp as she was when sparring at press conferences
with JFK.

[realitythink]

13. She doesn't work for the wire services anymore

He cannot call on her first now because she is a columnist. She said it herself on Democracy Now.

[DFW]

22. Sounds reasonable enough. She never mentioned it to me, but we usually talk about other stuff anyway

I haven't seen her since the second week in January, and since Obama hadn't even been
inaugurated yet, we talked in more general terms as far as he was concerned. The conversation
will cover different stuff the next time I'm in DC, I promise you that!

[Karenina]

16. I nearly fell off my chair when I heard her question!

She WENT THERE!!! FIRST THING!!! GOOOOOO HELEN!!! :woohoo:

[ChiciB1]

30. I'm Sorry I Don't Know Who You Are, But You Seem To Have An Inside

track regarding the press. Perhaps you don't want to divulge, but got any goodies you'd like to spill??

For as long as I can remember, Helen has been there. I loved the whole NIXON Era!! That's about as far back as I can go. Of course back then there were others like Dan Rather and real investigative reporters who had "stuff" to report! Real STUFF!

If you reply, I may not check back in until tomorrow... my daughter just called & we're planning a trip to San Francisco, she went there last year and wants to go back so I agreed.

[DFW]

33. It depends on what you deem an "inside track."

I am not a member of the press, but my father was a president of Washington's Gridiron Club,
as was Helen, and he was a Washington correspondent of the print press for 50 years. I grew
up in that environment, and have known Helen Thomas for some 40 years. We really only got close
after my father passed, and this is the case with several of his colleagues I had known while
growing up. He had very little to do with the electronic media, and so though Dan Rather was
a broadcaster for a local DC station before graduating to being a nation anchor, I never met him.
I did see him speak in Denver, even helped out on a DU article covering his speech. But since my
dad was mostly print, except for occasional appearances on Meet The Press (back when the show
really was that) and stuff like that, all the people I ever know/knew were print journalists.
As my brother still lives in the DC area, I visit frequently when I get back to America, and
always spend time with Helen when I'm there.

Helen's views on things are pretty well known, and unless it's to confirm something she
may have publicly said or hinted at herself, I don't usually repeat on a blog post stuff we
discuss in private. Private is private, and we meet as friends, and not as an interview.
She gives plenty of those, and is perfectly capable of speaking for herself--and she does!!

[ChiciB1]

34. Thank You So Much For Your Input... Very Interesting! I, Myself LOVE

visiting D.C. and have been there 5 times now. I'm planning the trip to San Fran and that will be a "biggie" too. My father was military and I traveled to Europe twice, but never got to the "other" side of the world. As a "Boomer" and political junkie I have been unable to quit my addiction to politics!

Up until very recently (Obama Phenom) and living now in a SERIOUSLY Red County, most of what I got involved with was done ALONE! Now that my 2 children, and my 18 year old grandson have decided that all my ranting and raving over the years actually had some merit, they join me in my forays! My grandson actually called me from the local Manatee Junior College when Obama was in Ft. Myers and asked me if I was watching the visit. He's taking a few pre-college courses before he heads off to "GatorLand" in the fall! Called me, NOT HIS MOTHER!! Warms the "cockles!"

The closest I got to any REAL media was my trip to D.C. in 2005 when we stayed with a person who worked for NPR and we got an up close and personal visit after closing hours! My biggest question at the time was "how come NPR had gotten so moderate?" I was speaking with a woman (sorry, forgot her name) but I think she reported for the BBC, and she was delightful AND she agreed with me.

She told me it was "management" at the time and upper level Execs calling the shots. I let her know I was unhappy with NPR's reporting at the time. She said she agreed with me. But the "personal" tour was interesting and special all the same.

Now, I must run out to find me some decent shoes to wear for my trekking in San Fran. I tore a meniscus in one knee and decided to find some "high top sneakers" and need to find a back brace that's not too bulky! I recall when I was younger, we wore girdles (before the time of panty hose) and I may go that route. I don't weigh that much and I may find it very uncomfortable, but I also have mild scoliosis and really want to prevent back strain. Geez, THAT was a bit personal!!!!

I can't believe I even though about a girdle... don't even know if they make them anymore! They must, some larger women must be wearing them.

Thanks again, hope to speak with you again. And I too LOVE Helen Thomas, I just hope her health keeps her hopping, I'm sure she's going to enjoy Obama! And if she asks him those pesky questions, well SO BE IT! It's called Democracy!!

L8R... :toast:

[OKDem08]

7. I respect her professionalism and desire to obtain the truth...

not the least bit deferential to the new president, as is appropriate for her role.

[democracy1st]

8. thank you for your service Helen Thomas

[Piewhacket]

9. Love ya Helen! Great report Helen! (slipslidingaway too)(rec)

[Iwillnevergiveup]

10. Our beloved Helen

always brings up the 2 most important issues: war and peace.

K&R

[FuzzyDicePHL]

11. Helen rocks!!

During the press conference I enjoyed following Ana Marie Cox's live-tweeting (on twitter.com as amclive) and her remark about Helen's vest had me ROFL: "Don't make Helen's vest angry. It bites when it feels cornered."

[RBInMaine]

12. Notice that Helen was back up front, not silenced in the rear as with Bush. (Time to retire?)

[Jefferson23]

14. Helen Thomas, we need at least 100 more like you!

[Turborama]

15. What a wonderful lady she is!! Thanks for the share! K&R

[Wizard777]

17. We all can alway do better. Obama is no exception to that.

But Bush has left him with a plate of incompetence and treachery piled high. Change doesn't happen over night. So give him time and I'm quite sure will improve greatly along with America. I think most people are very satisfied with the changes he has enacted thus far.

No they don't have the First Lady of the Press in a cubicle. If anyone has earned a plush private office. It's Helen Thomas.

[balantz]

18. Helen Thomas said "I think he did well, but I think he could have done better."

Let's hope those words don't follow him throughout his presidency.

[slipslidingaway]

19. Thanks for the R's and replies, her question is below...

http://www.whitehouse.gov/the_press_office/PressConferencebythePresident/

"...All right, Helen. This is my inaugural moment here. (Laughter.) I'm really excited.

Q Mr. President, do you think that Pakistan are maintaining the safe havens in Afghanistan for these so-called terrorists? And also, do you know of any country in the Middle East that has nuclear weapons?..."

[bdamomma]

20. Helen should know, she has been around for the worst and the best

She will be watching Obama.

[ooglymoogly]

23. And there you have it folks the always definitive Helen Thomas

A great woman. A big kickenarec.

[KalicoKitty]

24. K & R n/t

[ihavenobias]

27. K & R n/t

[BeatleBoot]

28. Wayne State University

Produces some kick ass graduates, don't they?

We love you Ms. Thomas!!!

Thank you for keeping their feet to the fire for all of these years.

And thank you for just being you!

[ChiciB1]

29. Cream Of The Crop As I Always Say... Many In The Press Should Take

lessons from her, or many should HAVE taken lessons from her!!! I can't think of ANYONE off hand who can step into her shoes after she's gone.

Does anyone out there have anyone in mind?? I'm serious... anyone??

[opihimoimoi]

32. She rocks :o)

[stuntcat]

35. kick for Helen

:loveya: