"...because I want your Conscience to bother you..."
From todays Washington Post, Dana Milbank's "A White House That Acts With All Deliberate Deliberation" (http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/10/01/AR2009100104303.html?hpid=opinionsbox1)
"...On Thursday afternoon, Thomas gave a clinic in fortitude to President Obama's spokesman, Robert Gibbs, during the briefing. "Has the president given up on the public option?" she inquired from her front-row-middle seat.
The press secretary laughed at this repetition of a common Thomas inquiry, but this questioner, who has covered every president since Kennedy, wasn't about to be silenced. "I ask it day after day because it has great meaning in this country, and you never answer it," she said.
"Well, I -- I -- I apparently don't answer it to your satisfaction," Gibbs stammered.
"That's right," Thomas snarled.
"I -- I'll -- I'll give you the same answer that I gave you unsatisfactorily for many of those other days," Gibbs offered. "It's what the president believes in --"
"Is he going to fight for it or not?" Thomas snapped.
"We're going to work to get choice and competition into health-care reform" was Gibbs's vague response.
Thomas took that as a no. "You're not going to get it," she advised.
"Then why do you keep asking me?" Gibbs inquired.
"Because I want your conscience to bother you," Thomas replied. The room erupted..."
Well I beg to differ.
If we all put pressure on our reps that we are not willing to accept the 'mandate' without a real public option... we CAN get a public option. I do believe that.
Congress has been taking for granted and overestimating our willingness to accept a mandate... without a public option... their mandate will not sell.
October 2, 2009 6:57 PM | Reply | Permalink
This comment recommended.
That's where the pressure should be -- there has been a loosening and re-consideration about the various options so this is a very important time to let those in Congress know that even if Boehner can't "find" anyone who supports the public option, we are HERE - in the millions! Those who aren't open to it by now will only change their position when they hear from constitutents who sound like they are ready, willing and able to get out there the next election and affect votes. Obama's troops should be able to convince them that we know how to do it and will do it effectively.
October 2, 2009 7:49 PM | Reply | Permalink
There are few in today's journalism community I consider to be heroic - or even competent for that matter. Helen Thomas is my hero.
October 3, 2009 8:22 AM | Reply | Permalink
Mine too. I give the Obama administration some small marks for courage for calling on her. I remember how the Bush folk often pretended she wasn't there.
October 3, 2009 8:43 AM | Reply | Permalink
In honor of her seniority among White House Correspondents, I believe most Presidents (and spokespersons) before Bush always called upon Helen first as a tradition. It is my recollection that Bush was the one who chose to scrap this tradition as a slap at Thomas, who has always asked the difficult question.
This was incredibly small and petty behavior, but Bush had no conscience. He had Karl Rove and Dick Cheney instead.
October 3, 2009 8:55 AM | Reply | Permalink
Am I the only one who finds Gibbs to be an annoying prick 99% of the time?
October 3, 2009 12:08 PM | Reply | Permalink
I believe that is part of the job description.
October 3, 2009 3:07 PM | Reply | Permalink