The thing that moves me most about Henrietta Hughes.....

[Jackeens]

....is that felt she COULD ask for help today, because she knew in her heart he would listen and care. No, no, no: he's not the Messiah! He's just someone who people in trouble trust WILL listen and care, because they figure he's on their side. That, for me, says it all.

I know she's only one in a million (many more) who are in trouble, but if today helped put a face on that section of society then, hopefully, she will become a symbol. I don't pray much, but I pray things work out for her, she struck me as a beautifully dignified lady.

[Ganja Ninja]

1. If that had been Bush she wouldn't have even been allowed in the building.

[Parker CA]

2. That's a great point, Jackeens! We have an, approachable, intelligent, and deeply caring President

[hedgehog]

3. I hope that Henrietta Hughes gets some help, but the incident bothers me.

No one should be dependent on catching the eye of the Tsar (so to speak) in order to survive. I expect Obama will see to it Ms. Hughes gets helped, but that he will also be depending on us to demand that all the people in her situation get the help they need without having to beg for it in front of a national audience!

[Jackeens]

5. I completely agree

Situations like today's are deeply uncomfortable because, ultimately, any remedies are meaningless unless everyone in that woman's position are helped in some way. We certainly don't want it to be a PR job. But I cling to the hope that, under this administration, more, much more, will be done to help people like her.

[hamsterjill]

12. I agree, as well.

But for every Henrietta Hughes that is helped, let's hope that she (or whomever) turns around and helps someone else as soon as she is able.

Obviously it won't solve much to help only one person, but it sets a good example and let's hope there is more to come.

[uponit7771]

6. The banks are NOT helping ANYONE!! Call them up and say you're in trouble and watch the run around..

..you get and in the end they NEVER really help you like right down your principle or take a short term cut on their interest rate to keep you in the house.

They are bastards, TRUE BASTARDS!

The Bush admin handed them 350 billion dollars and they're still letting people fail ...they are BASTARDS

[rvablue]

7. I have littlle doubt at next week's pressser, we will here the President talk about the experience

of Ms. Hughes and her plight.

[uponit7771]

4. K&R

[azmouse]

8. I just saw this replayed on the news.

I could hear the emotion in Pres Obama's voice when he talked to her.
I hope he can do something for her... and all of us.

[eleny]

10. I think she's the one person who caught him off guard these past few days

He was ready for any and all questions except hers, imo. But he did very well.

[eleny]

9. Put a face on the problem

That's what I've been feeling about her, too.

Remember when yesterday some pundits were saying that the stimulus plan needed a catchy name, a sound bite that grabs people? Well, the image of Ms Hughes helps to fulfill that need. Her dignified plea is an image that has stayed with me since she spoke today. She keeps coming back. That can't be unique to me.

I do hope she can stay safe, though. Her image of honest suffering is dangerous to the right wing. They've probably started an investigation of her and her family as we type. Discrediting her is important to their agenda.

[DevonRex]

11. I agree. And the country cares, too. We have seen so much suffering

over the last 8 years. I think Katrina is what jarred everyone into understanding that government HAS to be accountable to the people and that it has a role in actually HELPING people.

Sad to say, but for some folks it took a disaster of that proportion to make them look around and really SEE that people are suffering through no fault of their own. The economic crisis we're in has further brought the point home.

I truly believe that the hardship we're going through will make us better people, better citizens, and a better country in the long run. Until recent decades we had ALWAYS been a compassionate people. We may be losing economically, but I pray that we reclaim our humanity in the process.

[olegramps]

13. What a contrast between Joe the Phony Plummer and Ms. Hughes.

[MiniMe]

14. Bush would have said "That's extraordinary. Only in America"

Like he did to that woman who worked 3 jobs.