Long-time White House correspondent turned loose-cannon Helen Thomas hasn't been sold on Democratic presidential hopeful Sen. Barack Obama like many of her colleagues in the mainstream media.
Thomas, now a columnist for Hearst Newspapers, told a Bethesda, Md. audience the race between Obama and Clinton has gotten mean-spirited. She attacked the role of bloggers in the news cycle, but that wasn't before she had some very harsh criticisms of Obama's rise in popularity.
"We're in the midst of a presidential campaign which is really getting rotten - down and dirty between Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama," Thomas said. "The Democratic candidates - Obama has the edge, he's a rock star. He's galvanized the youth vote of this country, but I have yet to see what he has done to take the highest office in the land. He is no Martin Luther King and his campaign, like all others, is backed by people with deep pockets."
Thomas, a 47-year veteran of the White House Press Corps, was promoting her book, "Watchdogs of Democracy?: The Waning Washington Press Corps and How It Has Failed The Public," on April 19 at the Bethesda Literary Festival.
Thomas was less unforgiving about Democratic presidential hopeful Sen. Hillary Clinton. She said that although she has made some mistakes in her campaign and still voted to authorize the Iraq war, she wasn't getting the same free pass Obama had gotten from the media.
"Hell yes, he sure has," Thomas said, after being asked if Obama had been given a free ride by the media. "Hillary has been pilloried. And, I'm not saying she's faultless - she's made many, many more mistakes [than] Obama did. I think there is a question if - if you're anti-women, that's okay generally. If you're anti-black, you're a racist. I think more people, a lot of people are afraid of being called racists by opposing Obama. And I'm not saying he hasn't been a very eloquent orator. He's won a lot of people over."
Not diverting too far from her opinion on bloggers earlier this year, where she blamed them for the Iraq war at an event at the National Press Club in January, Thomas told the audience that the power of the blogs scares her.
"Everybody with a laptop thinks they're a journalist," Thomas said. "And, real journalists know that we have standards, we have ethics. We understand we can ruin lives and reputations forever. There's no recourse and so forth. So I'm really afraid of the blogs. They can say anything and throw anything into the wind and it will be picked up. I'm glad we have communication and I'm glad there's more information out there. With no constraints of people putting anything out there - and people will leap in - I think it's pretty dangerous."
















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WashPost loves liberals
April 19, 2008 - 19:22 ET by Tim GrahamMore proof the Washington Post is a liberal newspaper: they promoted Helen's Bethesda talk -- on the same page that they promoted Bill Maher's coming comedy concert in DC next month. Protesters, anyone?
Oh, oh. Thomas will be
April 19, 2008 - 19:29 ET by chessplayerOh, oh. Thomas will be ripped apart by DU, HuffPo, and the Kossacks for daring to criticise the Obamessiah.
I never thought I would
April 19, 2008 - 19:33 ET by motherbeltI never thought I would agree with Helen Thomas, but I do here. She has read Obama's campaign very well. She said his campaign isdown and dirty too, not just Clinton's. The rest of the media have bought into his "new kind of politics" rhetoric, and no matter how nasty, petty or malicious he acts, he is still portrayed as the candidate who is above all that.
I Concur, Never Expected to Agree
April 19, 2008 - 19:57 ET by CGattonAs per the old saw, even a broken clock is right twice a day, and Helen is both old and broken, lol.
V/R
Clyde
"...the aspirants to tyranny are either the...men of the state, who in democracies are demagogues,... or those who hold great offices, and have a long tenure.." - Aristotle, Politics, c350BC
Campaign?
April 19, 2008 - 21:42 ET by iveseenitallTo me the Democratic "campaign" is just what I expected it would be. After 7+ years of bashing President Bush, many times over nothing at all, and getting away with it, it was just a matter of time before they turned on each other. The radical left has brought political discussion into the gutter with the aid of the MSM. People like Keith Olbermann, for example, have been allowed to spew their vile nonsense with no responsibilty for its long term consequences. When Bill Maher can say what he said about the Pope and actually expect the acceptance of a supposed God-loving, civilized society, something is terribly wrong.The Democrats have never been held accountable for their lies and distortions. Neither have left-wing commentators like Rosie O'Donnell and the assorted fools from Hollywood. Decent Democrats and many Republicans have remained silent in the face of outright anti-American blather. Rough and tumble politics is one thing--- immature, ignorant, classless poppycock is another. Helen Thomas is right (even though she ,herself, has contributed to the mess). This "campaign" is disgraceful. We are imploding like an atomic bomb and the fallout is just beginning.
NEVER,NEVER trust a "liberal"
Is she still
April 20, 2008 - 12:18 ET by docbalive??? Helen is a Betty Freidan hold over...Old line straight party ticket feminist.
POINTING OUT THE FACTS OR REBUTTING A SLUR IS NOT ATTACKING...
So I'm really afraid of the blogs
April 19, 2008 - 20:25 ET by ThisnThat"And, real journalists know that we have standards, we have ethics. We understand we can ruin lives and reputations forever".
Boy, is she a hypocrite or what? I would like to see an example of "ethics" as applied by Helen Thomas. I would like to know what kind of "standards" Helen has. And I would especially like to know why she has constantly, delibertly tried to ruin President Bush's reputation.
And BTW -- I don't give 2c for her opinion of anything, including the topic of Obama and Clinton.
___________________________________
If you can read this, thank a teacher. If it is in English, thank a Soldier. - My barber
I guffawed when I saw that
April 19, 2008 - 20:43 ET by WhoIsJohnGaltquote of hers about journalists having standards. Hmm...let's see, where have I heard about journalistic standards...oh yes:
Ross: "Have they (Bush's National Guard story documents put forth by Rather and Mapes) proved to be authentic though? Isn't that really what journalists do?"
Mapes: "No, I don't think that's the standard."
That's where I was first gobsmacked with that journalistic standards crap! How can Thomas say that with a straight face?!
Squirrel
April 19, 2008 - 20:47 ET by DingbatThe ole expression that a blind squirrel will find an acorn now and then comes to mind.
"And, real journalists know
April 19, 2008 - 21:04 ET by pocomoco"And, real journalists know that we have standards, we have ethics…….”
There are lies, damn lies, then there’s Helen Thomas.
Reputations?
April 19, 2008 - 21:28 ET by iveseenitallFor Helen Thomas to imply that "journalists " in this country don't want to ruin reputations after what the entire Bush administration has gone through for the past 7+ years with them makes one want to puke. As O'Reilly would say, "She's living in the land of Oz." I say she's a "liberal" hypocrite. It's amazing how "liberals" never see themselves for what they are.
NEVER,NEVER trust a "liberal"
Speaking of making one want to puke
April 19, 2008 - 21:35 ET by bigpapadid anyone see that commercial today with Pelosi and Rove???? More climate change BS,, stupid Republicans always cave.. I want Reagan back... I just about puked on my computer....
I think you mean Newt Gingrich
April 19, 2008 - 21:38 ET by sarcasmoAt least, that's the one with Pelosi I saw. It was indeed disgusting, and I began to wonder who/what paid for it, but never found out because I didn't want to give their sappy website even 1 more hit.
JMR
The tax & spend drug war looks racist in the real world.
yes you are
April 19, 2008 - 22:10 ET by bigpapacorrect.. I had Rove on the mind from reading another article. :)
I think I may visit just to log an opposing email...
"At least, that's the one
April 20, 2008 - 13:42 ET by ckc1227"At least, that's the one with Pelosi I saw. It was indeed disgusting,
and I began to wonder who/what paid for it, but never found out because
I didn't want to give their sappy website even 1 more hit.
JMR"
I'm not sure, but I think they are part of Gore's $300 advertising blitz promoting the global warming myth. There's also a similar one with Al Sharpton and Pat Robertson.
Man....Helen Thomas and I
April 19, 2008 - 21:25 ET by BlazerMan....Helen Thomas and I actually agree on something. She will surely be eviscerated by the left for this, they'll probably even say she owned slaves before the Emancipation.
"You will never find a more wretched hive of scum and villainy. We must be cautious. "
- Ben Kenobi on Liberals, and the MSM.
" The Cake is a lie."
You said it. I think she may
April 19, 2008 - 22:02 ET by mjgYou said it. I think she may be ripped by the liberal left. I actually don't agree with her on a lot of things too but this time I do. I can't believe this. I have to go check and see she's still alive tomorrow.
It's almost enough to make
April 19, 2008 - 21:26 ET by JerryIt's almost enough to make me question my distrust of Obama.......
Nah.. not even HT could drive me to that extreme...
Helen's not criticizing Obama for any reason other than she supports Hilary.
When asked if he went to war with Iraq to derail the impeachment vote: “I don’t think any serious person would believe that any President would do such a thing." - President Clinton (Dec 1998).
Obviously
April 19, 2008 - 21:32 ET by bigpapashe's a RACIST old bitter hag... Why else would she put down Hussien Obama????
Thanks!
April 19, 2008 - 21:51 ET by jefflebowskiThanks for telling us something anyone with basic intelligence already knows. Of course, that counts out the left! Now go back under your bridge Helen!
you're welcome.
April 19, 2008 - 23:16 ET by bigpapaI'll be here all week,, make sure you tell your friends.. I'm assuming you have "basic intelligence"???? I'm a little short myself....
Uh oh!
April 19, 2008 - 21:58 ET by drillanwrGuess Helen got the wrong meds, eh?
Helen and B. Hussein Obama in ... "Driving Miss Helen" :
Miss Helen: "B-HO, Did you have the air-conditioning checked? I told you to have the air-conditioning checked."
Obama: "I had the air-conditioning checked. I don't know what for. You never allow me to turn it on."
Miss Helen: "Hush up!"
When you men get home and face an anti-war protestor, look him in the eyes and shake his hand. Then, wink at his girlfriend because she knows she’s dating a pussy… ~ Attributed to General Tommy Franks
Helen Thomas: "With no
April 19, 2008 - 22:53 ET by TEHelen Thomas: "With no constraints of people putting anything out there - and people will leap in - I think it's pretty dangerous."
What is dangerous is that Helen Thomas audience of idiots casting votes.
Great news...
April 20, 2008 - 00:01 ET by JPR1They finally got the meds dialed in.
This is an occasion; is there a nice photo of the old gal we could put up?
Edit: No,no,no not that one! Aaaaaahhh
I completely agree with
April 20, 2008 - 00:47 ET by mostlymoderateI completely agree with Helen Thomas in this instance. Good for her.
I'm not terribly surprised
April 20, 2008 - 02:50 ET by ZapI think most people that support Obama are either naive, stupid, or have a shady political reason for doing so. While I don't care for Helen Thomas, she's neither naive or stupid.
"And, real journalists know
April 20, 2008 - 03:53 ET by fitzfong"And, real journalists know that we have standards, we have ethics."
Helen Thomas has used that lame talking point on more than one occasion. First of all, she's not a real journalist. She's a partisan hack. While she and her colleagues claim to have standards and ethics, they don't use those standards or ethics. Were the Helen Thomases of the world not so corrupt and inept, there would be no use for a blogosphere. It's a great credit to the blogosphere that frauds like Helen Thomas now have to look both ways before lodging their propaganda.
Jack Nicholson, White Men and Hillary Clinton
April 20, 2008 - 06:51 ET by SometimeyThe Clinton race and gender strategy was commenced in earnest by Geraldine Ferraro and other Clinton surrogates, using racialized and gender ladened words and antics.
http://www.digitaljo...
The effect was to create a racially antagonistic, and female sympathetic landscape, ripe for overlaying with Bill Clinton's contrived "facts."
Bill's fictional creation is that African Americans are voting racially, codified in the phrase, African Americans are voting for Barack Obama because he is "an African American with a real chance to win." This was Bill's second attempt at codifying racial voting, the first was, African Americans were voting for Barack Obama, "for pride."
The claim of racialized voting, by African Americans, was made "real" by CNN, in a "report" in which two African American women claimed that they were being pressured to vote racially, without recounting one instance in which they were asked by anyone to do that. the only thing supporting this idea was a poem, one of the women received in an e-mail, from an unknown person, describing their emotions about voting for a black man for the presidency.
A racialized social landscape makes people insecure generally, and it makes them specifically uneasy about their attraction to Barack Obama. When this insecurity and uneasiness is confronted with the idea that African Americans are voting racially, it creates a state of mind that's likely to conclude, "oh I guess I'll just vote for Hillary." Reason being, the public perception is that Hillary Clinton is a known entity, and the idea that African Americans are voting racially, is likely to inspire some European Americans, to do the same.
The Clinton strategy is to replace Barack Obama's identity with a racial identity, thereby making him more vulnerable to lies and innuendos, that raise questions about his identity, and his character.
Also, the Clintons strive to obliterate Barack Obama's message, by keeping him too busy defending himself to talk about it. And when he talks about it, they negate what he says. But while he's defending charges of elitism, and his words are called empty, Hillary is appropriating his ideas. She was for NAFTA, and now she's against it. She's taken his change slogan, and added her name. She even tried his chant, "yes we can," morphing it into "yes we will." If there's a policy distinction between them, she denies it, carefully using language that ties her to his judgment and achievements, "we both voted for," "our records are the same."
The Clintons want Barack without an identity or a message, because they don't believe they can beat his personality or his ideas. They're trying to reduce the identity of the candidates to their race and their gender.
Bill and Hillary keep saying that no matter which candidate wins it will be a historic presidency. That's the name of the "product," they're branding, a "historic president." By creating a product that does not distinguish between the candidates, except for race and gender, all that is required of the voter is to identify the form they prefer it in - black male or white woman. If that becomes the choice, Hillary wins because, if all things are equal, with a backdrop of racialized emotions, people will vote for the person who resembles what they "know," the woman who looks like their mother, sister, wife and friend.
To model this simplistic choice, the Clinton's used Jack Nicholson, who signals that it's all about identity politics, when he indicated the category, "I'm for the woman," and not the person, Hillary, as the incentive for his choice.
After appealing to the voters for a gender based vote, the Clintons make it a matter of racial loyalty, by using language that through rhythm and placement, creates a subliminal recognition of the word "real," as a substitute for, the word "white." Hence the slogan "real men are for Hillary," is emotionally experienced as, "white men are for Hillary."
The Clintons desperately want to get white men on board, and their strategy is to inspire racial loyalty by "demonstrating" that African American are voting racially, and by highlighting Barack’s race through the use of racialized words and antics, like Bill Clinton calling Barack’s reaction to his racial ranting in South Carolina, a mugging —
The Clinton tactics reflect their belief that people blinded by racism, can't recognize whose lying to them, whose stealing from them, and whose coopting them, against their own interests.
That’s what Barack was trying to communicate when he spoke about guns and religion in San Francisco. He was describing our distraction from the things that genuinely affect our lives, focusing instead on meaningless symbols of power. Making those who exploit us, the only winners —
Gosh -- what a load of
April 20, 2008 - 07:25 ET by Jack BauerGosh -- what a load of elitist blather and psychobabble.
Vote 4 change. Vote 4 anything. See Jack & Mr Shy's first campaign ad for the ONLY viable 3rd party candidate.
Sometimey (and I agree Dave! :))
April 20, 2008 - 08:09 ET by MrShyI'm afraid we are all chuckling at the holier-than-thou brush you've chosen to paint Saint Obama with.
Toward the end, you talk about these "people" (whites) blinded by "racism" -- a word you have no right throwing around nonchalantly -- but alas, a shocker, you do.
Here's an inconvenient fact:
90% of blacks are voting for Barack Obama. 90%. A man who was Senator for one year.
I have no problem with this, of course, as it's his demographic -- and why shouldn't it be. But it's just fascinating, wouldn't you say?
Here are two choice "elitist blather" paragraphs (thanks Jack! :)) pulled from your post, and then alternate ones that could easily be written with the roles reversed, to demonstrate how it's YOU that's blinded by some sort of non-existant "good vs. evil" you perceive, but which wiser men and women here at NB know does not exist. It's a heated primary race, and they're both using every dirty trick in the game to win the nomination...
The evil Clintons:
The Clintons desperately want to get white men on board, and their strategy is to inspire racial loyalty by "demonstrating" that African American are voting racially, and by highlighting Barack’s race through the use of racialized words and antics, like Bill Clinton calling Barack’s reaction to his racial ranting in South Carolina, a mugging —
The Clinton tactics reflect their belief that people blinded by racism, can't recognize whose lying to them, whose stealing from them, and whose coopting them, against their own interests.
The evil Obamas:
The Obamas desperately want to get black men on board, and their strategy is to inspire racial loyalty by joining a radically afro-centric church and not fully denouncing or disassociating themselves from a pastor who blatantly plays the race card in sermons, and then follows up with a lecturing speech to the nation, reinforcing his allegence to that ever-important black vote.
The Obama tactics reflect their belief that people (blacks) blinded by reverse -- and generally accepted by the mainstream -- racism, can't recognize whose lying to them, whose stealing from them, and whose coopting them, against their own interests.
* * * SOCKS THE CAT '08 * * *
For REAL Change
My "Identity" Trumps Your "Identity"
April 20, 2008 - 11:44 ET by RMRHelen Thomas: "I think there is a question if - if you're anti-women, that's okay generally. If you're anti-black, you're a racist. I think more people, a lot of people are afraid of being called racists by opposing Obama".
And how do you know that most who oppose Hilary Clinton are anti-women? Helen? Sounds like you are indulging in the same form of indentity politics as the Obama supporters. Then again, identity politics is the Democrats bread and butter.
Please tell Tweety that there ARE standards...
April 20, 2008 - 15:14 ET by SickofLibs"Everybody with a laptop thinks they're a journalist."
You are dead wrong. Helen. I, too, am I a 103-year crone and I typed this on my 1972 IBM Selectric. My 82 year old son then scanned it for me and posted it here.
Having never graduated high school because I had to work on my father's farm milking pigs, I would never pretend to be an actual bona fide 'journalist', like that Olbermann lad, but I do feel I have to the right to make my opinions known. Thank you very much.