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July 02, 2009
Helen Thomas:"Not Even Nixon Tried to Control the Media Like Obama"
Helen Thomas: Not Even Nixon Tried to Control the Media Like Obama
Wednesday, July 01, 2009
Following a testy exchange during today’s briefing with White House Press Secretary Robert Gibbs, veteran White House correspondent Helen Thomas told CNSNews.com that not even Richard Nixon tried to control the press the way President Obama is trying to control the press.
“Nixon didn’t try to do that,” Thomas said. “They couldn’t control (the media). They didn’t try.
“What the hell do they think we are, puppets?” Thomas said. “They’re supposed to stay out of our business. They are our public servants. We pay them.”
Thomas said she was especially concerned about the arrangement between the Obama Administration and a writer from the liberal Huffington Post Web site. The writer was invited by the White House to President Obama’s press conference last week on the understanding that he would ask Obama a question about Iran from among questions that had been sent to him by people in Iran.
“When you call the reporter the night before you know damn well what they are going to ask to control you,” Thomas said.
“I’m not saying there has never been managed news before, but this is carried to fare-thee-well--for the town halls, for the press conferences,” she said. “It’s blatant. They don’t give a damn if you know it or not. They ought to be hanging their heads in shame.”
During today’s briefing, Thomas interrupted a back-and-forth between Gibbs and Chip Reid, the White House correspondent for CBS News, when Reid was questioning Gibbs about who was going to decide what questions would be asked of President Obama in a townhall meeting that was scheduled to take place in Annandale, Va., today.
Gibbs then had an exchange involving Reid and Thomas that went as follows:
Gibbs: “… But, again, let's--How about we do this? I promise we will interrupt the AP's tradition of asking the first question. I will let you [Chip Reid] ask me a question tomorrow as to whether you thought the questions at the town hall meeting that the President conducted in Annandale—“
Chip Reid: “I'm perfectly happy to—”
Helen Thomas: “That's not his point. The point is the control--”
Reid: “Exactly.”
Thomas: “We have never had that in the White House. And we have had some, but not-- This White House.”
Gibbs: “Yes, I was going to say, I'll let you amend her question.”
Thomas: “I'm amazed. I'm amazed at you people who call for openness and transparency and—”
Gibbs: “Helen, you haven't even heard the questions.”
Reid: “It doesn't matter. It's the process.”
Thomas: “You have left open—”
Reid: “Even if there's a tough question, it's a question coming from somebody who was invited or was screened, or the question was screened.”
Thomas: “It's shocking. It's really shocking.”
Gibbs: “Chip, let's have this discussion at the conclusion of the town hall meeting. How about that?”
Reid: “Okay.”
Gibbs: “I think—“
Thomas: “No, no, no, we're having it now--”
Gibbs: “Well, I'd be happy to have it now.”
Thomas: “It's a pattern.”
Gibbs: “Which question did you object to at the town hall meeting, Helen?”
Thomas: “It's a pattern. It isn't the question—”
Gibbs: “What's a pattern?”
Thomas: “It's a pattern of controlling the press.”
Gibbs: “How so? Is there any evidence currently going on that I'm controlling the press--poorly, I might add.”
Thomas: “Your formal engagements are pre-packaged.”
Gibbs: “How so?”
Reid: “Well, and controlling the public—”
Thomas: “How so? By calling reporters the night before to tell them they're going to be called on. That is shocking.”
Gibbs: “We had this discussion ad nauseam and—”
Thomas: “Of course you would, because you don't have any answers.”
Gibbs: “Well, because I didn't know you were going to ask a question, Helen.
Go ahead.”
Thomas: “Well, you should have.”
Reporter: Thank you for your support.
Gibbs: “That's good. Have you e-mailed your question today?”
Thomas: “I don't have to e-mail it. I can tell you right now what I want to ask.”
Gibbs: “I don't doubt that at all, Helen. I don't doubt that at all.”
Wild Thing's comment........
Helen came out of her coma. LOL Ubama's chickinnnnnnnnnnnnns....are comin' home to rOOst!
“What the hell do they think we are, puppets?” Thomas said. “They’re supposed to stay out of our business. They are our public servants. We pay them.”
Well yes Helen you are puppets, all in the media that had a part of Obama getting elected are his puppets. The whole bunch of you have proven you’re nothing more than marionettes dancing to Obama’s tune.
Obama is about to find out about the old saying, “Hell hath no fury like a woman reporter scorned.”
Rush was right. The State Run Media didn't give a rat's behind about anything obama's done until he stepped on their turf with the HuffPo questioner.
Posted by Wild Thing at July 2, 2009 07:45 AM
Comments
Oh my God, Hell has frozen over! Helen said something that makes sense! Quick, hide!!! Save yourself!
Posted by: Lynn at July 2, 2009 08:11 AM
Helen, while a fixture, forever it seems, at the Press conferences, is small potatoes. While her point is spot on, unless the major news services, and networks climb on the band wagon, the story will lose its legs in a hurry.
I have no doubt that the Fraud's administration will undertake a campaign very shortly to make this exchange disappear. My guess is that they will succeed
Posted by: SEAN. at July 2, 2009 09:49 AM
The disgusting old dragon is just pissed off because someone beside herself and her bosses are controlling the media.
Posted by: Rhod at July 2, 2009 10:41 AM
Things may be changing for Blobama. I read last week that MSNBC which got the commie bastard elected had requested of the Black House, a list of all visitors since Jan 20th. Of course the Black House refused and I believe MSNBC is using the FOIA to procure the list. heh heh heh!
Posted by: cuchieddie (American) at July 2, 2009 10:55 AM
Maybe the lid of the box is finally being opened and a light is being shined inside to see how many rats really are in there.
I am not fond of Ms. Helen Thomas but if she can spark a firestorm all the power to her. Somebody has to do it.
Posted by: Mark at July 2, 2009 10:58 AM
A little bit of reality for the press. They find out that the Marxist dictator they supported doesn't really respect them, only uses them. They will still try to cover for obama, but they are on edge a bit now. Gibbs is weak. A few more mistakes and the press may not be able to help themselves. They may go into a feeding frenzy. Gibbs will be eaten alive.
Posted by: TomR at July 2, 2009 11:56 AM
:)
Posted by: Jack at July 2, 2009 02:05 PM
I agree with what Lynn said.
I don't like Thomas at all but she's been around for so long and there hasn't been a press secretary that would dare go against her. When she speaks, they allow her to talk.
Posted by: BobF at July 2, 2009 06:40 PM
Lynn, ROTFLMAO good one!
Posted by: Wild Thing at July 2, 2009 07:23 PM
SEAN, your right!!
And if I were Helen I would not be taking
any sodas or candy or anything if offered to
me by anyone from the White House. haha
They might even put her in the back row of
the seats just to keep her as far away as
possible.
Posted by: Wild Thing at July 2, 2009 07:26 PM
Rhod, your right haha and she really is
ticked like you said.
Posted by: Wild Thing at July 2, 2009 07:27 PM
cuchieddie (American), oh wow now I love
hearing that. Thanks for the information,
heh heh.
I wonder how many rappers and Muslims
are on that list. Bill terrorist Ayers
maybe?
Posted by: Wild Thing at July 2, 2009 07:29 PM
Mark, AMEN to that. I will take this kind
of thing from anyone as long as it upsets
Obama and his jerks.
Just like I can't stand Bill Mahar ( spelling)
and he complained a week ago I think it was
about how Obama is on TV too much and he is
sick of seeing him. I can't stand Mahar but
if he can be used to point out what a jerk
Obama is I am all for it.
Posted by: Wild Thing at July 2, 2009 07:32 PM
Tom, LMAO yesss love how you put that.
They were making fun of Gibbs today and
his little girl laugh they called it.
It has started even if it is just a little
it will grow.
Like you said they are on the edge now.
Posted by: Wild Thing at July 2, 2009 07:37 PM
Jack, giggle yessss
Posted by: Wild Thing at July 2, 2009 07:38 PM
BobF., I agree, Helen is a joke to a lot
of them but she has a seniority and she
will pull that out and use it when she
needs to. That is the one thing that will
protect her for what she did. A newbie
would be kicked out of the press room.
Posted by: Wild Thing at July 2, 2009 07:41 PM
