CNN: Homeless woman's plea to Obama draws flood of support

[MiniMe]

(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.

/snip

Some questioned the circumstances of Hughes' appearance at the event.

Blogger Michelle Malkin, in a story on the conservative Web site TownHall.com on Wednesday, said that if Hughes "had more time, she probably would have remembered to ask Obama to fill up her gas tank, too."

"The soul-fixer dutifully asked her name, gave her a hug and ordered his staff to meet with her. Supporters cried, 'Amen!' and 'Yes!' " she added.

One reader questioned Hughes' motives and asked how the homeless woman got to the rally at all.

"How does a 61-year-old homeless woman who's living in a pickup truck with her son JUST HAPPEN to get a ticket so she can VERY PUBLICALLY ask Prez. Obama for a HOUSE? Anyone? Who pushes her up on stage? She's right at the front of the crowd. Did she just happen to get a seat there?" asked reader Erik E.

/snip

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.

On Wednesday, the head of the local housing authority, Marcus Goodson, said he met with Hughes. He said he's working on finding her a housing unit with a shorter waiting time and that he's emailed a White House staff member with the update.

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, and she is interested in taking it.

"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."

Hughes will check out the house in the coming days, according to Thompson's office. In the meantime, she has set up shop in the district office where she gave media interviews.

oops, forgot the link: http://www.cnn.com/2009/POLITICS/02/11/henrietta.hughes/index.html

[burythehatchet]

1. I hate this fucking society

A struggling woman got help because she got selected to ask a question. This culture of feel-good BS in place of real solutions is just so ass backwards.

Yeah, I know, I should be really happy for her. I am. I truly am.

[sandnsea]

3. I was serious about the Homeless Open House

She should take this woman's house and then invite the area homeless and then see how many people step up with free houses for them all. I hate when people use this stuff to pat themselves on the back when they will step right over the homeless tomorrow.

[NYC Liberal]

4. So you think Obama isn't going to be working on getting real solutions into

place?

[burythehatchet]

6. He thinks he is. Unfortunately, almost everyone he has hired is working

just as hard for the opposite. Tim Gethner, Rahm Emanual, and Larry Summers all have something in common. Can you tell me what it is?

[4 t 4]

5. Yes maybe she would have because I am sure she needs that too

you cunt Michelle Malkin, in a story on the conservative Web site TownHall.com on Wednesday, said that if Hughes "had more time, she probably would have remembered to ask Obama to fill up her gas tank, too."
Forgive me for the very foul language I'm a girl I can say that!

[TheDebbieDee]

10. And you're right, Michelle Malkin is a c*nt!

I'm a woman and I can call her that.

[malaise]

2. Why doesn't that awful woman research topics before

she runs her mouth. Several homeless people received tickets. The people were not handpicked a la Bush.
Change has come.

[MiniMe]

8. I left that part in there because it really pissed me off

:hi: Hi Malaise. All the right wingers are going off about it. They think that it couldn't possible be real. Asshats!

[Goat or Panic]

9. Handpicked?????

Why did I immediately think of Jeff Gannon (Guckert)? I must be thinking of something else involving hands. :)

[Goat or Panic]

7. Remember......

when that soldier asked Bush (or Rumsfeld) about body armor and right-wingers accused him of being a plant? Unlike Ms. Hughs, I doubt he got much help from the administration.