Helen Thomas: "I Want Your Conscience to Bother You"

By: Brian Montopoli
Topics: The Media

(CBS/ AP)

Syndicated columnist Helen Thomas today told White House press secretary Robert Gibbs at his daily press briefing that she keeps asking about the public health care option because she wants his "conscience to bother" him.

Thomas pressed Gibbs on whether the White House was actively supporting the creation of a public, or government-run, plan in negotiations over health care legislation. The public option is supported by liberal Democrats in Congress but opposed by Republicans and some moderate Democrats.

President Obama has said he supports the public option but signaled that he would sign a bill that does not include it.

"Has the president given up on the public option?" Thomas asked, prompting Gibbs to suggest she asks the question every day.

"I ask it day after day because it has great meaning in this country, and you never answer it," Thomas said.

"I apparently don't answer it to your satisfaction," Gibbs said with a smile, prompting Thomas to say, "that's right."

When Gibbs began saying, "I'll give you the same answer that I gave you unsatisfactorily for many of those other days," Thomas interrupted, asking, "Well, is he going to fight for it or not?"

"We're going to work to get choice and competition into health care reform," Gibbs said.

Replied Thomas: "You're not going to get it."

"Well, then why do you keep asking me?" asked Gibbs, to laugher from the press corps.

Said Thomas: "Because I want your conscience to bother you."

A visibly flustered Gibbs then said, "I -- well! Should we sit down and I confess a little bit to you and -- no -- I'm -- go ahead -- I'm..."

When the next questioner began, Gibbs said, "Are you going to make me feel bad too?"

Brian Montopoli
Brian Montopoli is the senior political reporter at CBSNews.com.
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by glogirl56 October 2, 2009 7:36 PM EDT: Why is Helen Thomas pushing for the public option? Is she a reporter or is she working for the administration? Geez? This is why nobody has any confidence in the press anymore. They're all PR hacks!; Reply to this comment


by chewythelab October 1, 2009 10:21 PM EDT: "She'll bash Obama from the left, and if she thinks this president is way too rightwing, that should tell you exactly how far left she is. "

Helen has always been feisty, but she's no centrist. She is an entertaining old bird, though, and has my utmost respect!
I agree that she is p.o'ed. Not because the Prez is being too liberal, but because she--like so many on the left--want him to grab the whole enchilada RIGHT NOW: YESTERDAY:ASAP:NO TIME TO WASTE! Don't ya'll see it? If they don't get it right now, it's going to set their cause back 50 years. That alone should be reason enough for logical folk to flood congress with calls to take a chill pill.
You can be for it, folks, I'm not arguing that. I respect your right to disagree, but please, please, please know the details for Pete's sake of what you are championing! When has it ever, in the history of our nation, been ok to pass legislation because we are told the sky will fall if we don't? Is our Republic that weak that we can't take a little time to review the details of this batch of sausage once it is put together? Be you for or against, it is the responsible thing to beg your representatives to let you read the flippin thing before they vote on it!

I'm not saying I want to change your mind, I'm just asking you to ask your duly-elected senator and congress-critter to shed sunlight on whatever bill they propose to vote on. Nobody is going to die "for lack of health insurance" in the meantime, (unless they use poor judgement and don't go to the ER if they are sick. There is a LAW for heaven's sake that says NO ONE: Martians, Mexicans and Marxists included--can be turned away if they show up at the ER for care. And Oh, BTW: whether they pass it tomorrow--because time is so very much of the essense, next week, next month or next year, N-O-T-H-I-N-G is going to change until 2013 [ahem, coincidentally, the year AFTER the next Presidential election). Rushing this through the legislature will NOT, repeat, NOT change anything one iota for at least 3.5 years. On the other hand, waiting a few weeks to give the American people time to review it won't postpone any action.
Now, I guess that makes me one angry Nazi/mobster/Crazy wild-eyed nutjob.
I know you all have heard the phrase, "Pig in a poke." Don't buy one of those thingys, please.

Kisses.
Chewythelab; Reply to this comment


by markde4308 October 1, 2009 8:39 PM EDT: You Helen fans don't get it at all. She's not a journalist any more than Rush or Olbermann are journalists. She's progressive far left hack, her version of conscience is highly selective.

She waxes on about Israeli "crimes" but wouldn't citicise Hamas or Hezzbollah if they shot her neighbors.

Her version of truth isn't even what the average democrat sees as reality, she's so far left, even kos and huff n puff are too rightwing for her tastes, I've seen her since the Reagan years, and she's even more obnoxious now.

She'll bash Obama from the left, and if she thinks this president is way too rightwing, that should tell you exactly how far left she is.

show her the door.; Reply to this comment


by tiger8055 October 1, 2009 7:46 PM EDT: I don't understand why Gibbs got flustered. And why would it even bother his consciense. The government option is dead. By deep sixing this turd that no one wants now Obama might just be able to salvage his already failing presidency.; Reply to this comment


by Alamar9 October 1, 2009 7:36 PM EDT: Helen is a journalist. Jeff Gannon is a male prostitute.; Reply to this comment


by whowon October 1, 2009 7:03 PM EDT: The reason Gibbs NEVER gives a straight answer is because he doesn't have a clue. I have never seen him answer a question with anything other then gibberish or something to get a laugh. I had to stop watching the press conferences but hope some day the press will stop laughing at his jokes and hold him accountable. Thank you Helen.; Reply to this comment


by whowon October 1, 2009 7:02 PM EDT: The reason Gibbs NEVER gives a straight answer is because he doesn't have a clue. I have never seen him answer a question with anything other then gibberish or something to get a laugh. I had to stop watching the press conferences but hope some day the press will stop laughing at his jokes and hold him accountable. Thank you Helen.; Reply to this comment


by Ferrell-2 October 1, 2009 4:44 PM EDT: The reason Gibbs is not giving straight forward answers about health care is that he knows it won't pass but can't say so. If he truly doesn't know it, then he must surely be leaning in that direction. I think Congress should table all action on this massive bill and devote time and attention to other pressing matters. The timing simply isn't appropriate for a spending bill of this magnitude.; Reply to this comment

by NewYork-Joey October 1, 2009 4:19 PM EDT

by slownewsday_5 October 1, 2009 2:32 PM EDT
Go Helen! She's always been a favorite!
-------------

UGGGgghhhh Leeee.....favorite what ? screaching old bag with phlem filled press questions ?

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by slownewsday_5 October 1, 2009 4:49 PM EDT: Well, see, Joe, this is why I don't just judge a book by its cover.

That's what fooled so many with Palin, who thought for some reason she's pretty, and therefore should be followed.


by tiger8055 October 1, 2009 7:58 PM EDT: slownewsday_5 --What is it with you people and your hatred of Palin? First, with ridiculing her downs syndrome son and then yucking it up about her daughter getting raped. I mean what if Republicans made sick jokes like that about Sasha and Malia? Would you be OK with that? Like this one: Why doesn't Barry ever invite his (child molester) brother George over to the White House? Because, whenever Sasha and Malia sit on George's lap it takes six secret service agents to pry them off. Now is that funny? Think about it. Your welcome.

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by velma179 October 1, 2009 3:50 PM EDT: Helen Thomas -- voices what the majority of Americans want to be said to Congress and the President.

Who'da thought?

Cool move, Ms. Thomas; Reply to this comment