Back in the Front Row: Helen Thomas

[DeepModem Mom]

Source: Washington Post

Helen Thomas hasn't lost anything off the old fastball. The 88-year-old legend of the White House briefing room returned to her front-row seat this afternoon after a long, illness-related absence.

"We're happy to welcome back Helen Thomas," Bush press secretary Dana Perino said at the top. "We missed you a great deal, and we'll let the sparring begin here in just an instant."

Thomas wore her trademark scowl but sat silently through much of the briefing. Perino was about to bring the session to a close when it was brought to her attention that Thomas had a question. "Helen has a question!" the 36-year-old exclaimed with a smile.

"Yes I do," Thomas piped up. "You say the president is not at fault for the auto industry problem. Do you think he's responsible for a solution?"

"Well," Perino began, I think that he - " But Thomas had not yet relinquished the floor. "And also, is there a quid pro quo on the Colombia trade agreement."

Perino explained that there was no quid pro quo between an auto-industry bailout and the free trade deal, and she assured Thomas the auto industry is "very important." Not good enough. "Is he aware that Michigan has 9 percent unemployment?" Thomas demanded.

"Very well aware of it," Perino said, padding her answer with a few more sentences. Still not good enough. "Is he aware that Detroit won World War II by retooling in a matter of days to a wartime condition?"

"He knows how important Detroit is, it's history," Perino assured Thomas. Perhaps Bush knows the history. But Helen Thomas is the last one in the room who lived it.

Here's wishing her many more years in the front row.

Read more: http://voices.washingtonpost.com/roughsketch/2008/11/back_in_the_front_row.html

[BrklynLiberal]

1. It will be great to watch her question yet another President...

[RJ Connors]

4. Yeah, and too be able to question a President that will be able

to provide a cogent answer to her question. Won't that just bowl you over.

[BrklynLiberal]

5. :-D

[jody]

2. Perino might have said "Detroit is history" and that's true unless a miracle occurs. n/t

[DebbieCDC]

3. At his first presser as the prez, Obama must call on Helen for the first question

I can't wait to see it -- the Queen of WH correspondents and the new history-making president. There's a photo-op!

[El Supremo]

6. Does Obama know what he's up against?

[OnceUponTimeOnTheNet]

7. You got a point there. LOL. Oh, she is feisty!

[ozone_man]

8. Retooling must be a requirement for any bailout.

No more cars that get under 30mpg. Every company must have an electric car. Otherwise, let them go bankrupt and the Japanese can take them over.

[lapfog_1]

9. One of my favorite thoughts

is that with the first Obama Press Conference (in the White House), Helen will be in the front row AND be given the first question.

I cannot imagine that President Obama will not give her that honor she has earned by a lifetime of service.

[yellowcanine]

10. Obama is going to have fun with Helen. See if he doesn't.

[Libertas1776]

11. Luv You Helen!

I'm sure when Obama becomes prez she will be very happy to bring back her favorite catchphrase she used to use at the end of every press conference since Kennedy: "Thank You Mr. President."

[DeepModem Mom]

15. I think you're right, Libertas1776 -- welcome to DU!!!

[NeoConsSuck]

12. God Bless Helen Thomas

especially after the way she was treated by this cockroach administration.

[llmart]

13. Yeah. I thought she'd been relegated.....

to the back row early on in the Dope's administration. Is she just now allowed to sit in the front again?

[TankLV]

19. They DID kick her all but out - to the very last of the last row, for daring to ask the WAR CRIMINAL

questions about his LIES and CRIMINAL NEGLIGENCE.

They are trying to save face in the last days, hoping noone will remember how they really treated her like dirt...

[goforit]

14. Still can outwit the best of them.

[Kali]

16. YAY!

So cool. Give 'em the same hell, Helen. Authority ALWAYS needs questioning.

[CBHagman]

17. Yay, Helen!

I'm glad to hear she's back, back, back!

[not fooled]

18. Yeah, right!

"We're happy to welcome back Helen Thomas," Bush press secretary Dana Perino said at the top. "We missed you a great deal..."

:rofl:

Scourge of the WH Criminals. Doubt they are happy to see her or anyone in the WH press corps who isn't a corporate media lackey.

[newscott]

20. I once sent her email about a column she had written

And she replied and thanked me. She's way cool.

[jannyk]

21. So glad to have you back Helen!!! k&r