Helen Thomas: Obama 'beginning to wake up to the power that he has to do the right thing”

Apr 07, 2010

JACKSONVILLE —Long-time White House correspondent Helen Thomas believes passage of President Barack Obama’s health care reform plan was critical to his presidency.

“He finally realized that everything would go down the drain if he lost out on health care,” the 89-year-old columnist told reporters before a speech Wednesday Illinois College.

“He’s only beginning to wake up to the power that he has to do the right thing,” she said. “He should never worry about a second term. He should only understand he’s got three more years to rise to the occasion.”

Thomas was in Jacksonville to deliver the Illinois College 2010 Phi Alpha Lecture. She said she was asked to come to town by former U.S. Rep. Paul Findley, a Jacksonville Republican.


read more: http://www.sj-r.com/breaking/x998211310/Helen-Thomas-I-want-to-die-with-my-boots-on

AUDIO: Listen to Thomas talk to local reporters: http://blogs.sj-r.com/podcasts/index.php/2010/04/07/helen-thomas-at-illinois-college-april-7/

He knew that the Reptilicans would do ANYTHING possible to derail his Health Care program. If they could do that, they could spin it as: "Obama has lost his momentum, and will soon be in full retreat". And the Prostitute Press, the so-called "liberal media", would be parroting that for all they're worth.

It wasn't out of cowardice or lack of principles, that he "compromised", or "sold out to his corporate masters". He probably knew to within a vote, how CLOSE it would be. So all you "Obama-bashers, give that some serious thought. (Likewise for Pelosi & Reid!)

. . . one that I've made here.

I may be eternally cynical of our government, but I still expect a Renaissance in this presidency. I'm not buying the arguments of some that he or his presidency is institutionally and intractably corrupted by industry (not yet). So I have a good feeling about the future of this man, Barack Obama, in realizing the power of his office to effect lasting and meaningful good.

Despite the fact that the problems he inherited haven't been brought to some favorable conclusion, or that some seem to be getting worse, he has made some meaningful progress and has had some historic accomplishments for his young presidency. I like the prospects for our party's agenda in this precarious majority that we've crafted together with our votes, and I'm optimistic about the prospects for the realization of our own (as expressed here at DU) as well.

I got a sort of error message after mt first post, so I reposted it.