Posted on 07/01/2009 10:05:50 PM PDT by FromLori
First the video, that led Thomas to go Nuclear:
Transcript:
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.”
After that Helen Thomas went nuclear with a report at CNSNEWS.COM:
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.
I wonder if you could say the same thing about a love child between Helen and Mr. Levin.
Chilling letter. Thanks for posting it, Hildy.
How about this?
On July 2, 2009 Thomas, as a member of the media, actually gave the White House some push back. This marks the first time that an American media member has stood up to the regime. Although openness and honesty was their promise, this White House actually scripts the questions that the press can ask. Successful radio host Mark Levin has sarcastically referred to the White House press meetings as "The Obama Show" simply because Robert Gibbs assumes complete control of the discussions, while expecting the media personnel to follow a carefully written script. Hence, Dr. Levin references these Q&A sessions as something of a poorly assembled televion show, with Obama being the primary subject of discussion.
Until now, no member of the press corp has ever questioned this practice. It is believed this is because the press is blinded by their adulation of this President. Popular “tough” questions from the American media for President Obama so far has been, “boxers or briefs?” “How is your new dog?” “Who will win a basketball game?” Real important stuff.
I’m no Helen fan, but Gibbs was obnoxious and condescending to her.
It was already gone, oh well I tried...lol
Wikipedia = Obamadrones.com
The man needs a script....He needs to know whats coming... no surprise questions please.
“Nixon didn’t try to do that,” Thomas said. “They couldn’t control (the media). They didn’t try.
Sometimes it takes the very young or the very old to state the obvious truth.
The arrogance of that AH at the podium was spectacular.
same here and good for her- if she could only stand up and shake a bony fist at that TOTAL SLEAZEBALL GIBBS
I love the smell rotting libs in the morning.
Helen Thomas and a coherent thought? - GAS!DannyTN
Good for Helen. Never thought I’d say that.Hoosier-Daddy
I despise that old bat, but she’s finally coming out of her kool-aid induced coma.I totally agree with all of the above... where did this side of her come from?! Is she FINALLY starting to have some common sense?
Wow! Is this the same Helen Thomas? Unbelievable!
Honeymoon over.
That was their underlining hatred of Bush and his administration that it was secret and not forthcoming
Now the Obama administration is doing something far worse, they are treating the media as children trying to pass off openness and transparency while doing nothing of the sort
I give the media another six months of sipping the kool aid before they realize it has been laced with arsenic
Helen Thomas throws a toddler tantrum because SHE and her oh-so-special “press” don’t get to control the town hall, Obama’s handlers are going to do it themselves.
That’s all this is. She’s being petulant because the Mighty Unassailable Media (bow down to them, peons) got taken down a notch by the Obama administration.
}:-)4
I’d pay to see Helen sit on Gibbs’ face....no ,wait.
Leni
Oh my!! The picture that brings to mind! LOL!
“It’s a pattern of controlling the press.”
Whoa!....Who stuck the firecracker in Helen’s shorts?.....When did she wake up?
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