Claudia8's video: White House Controls Press - Helen Thomas

TRANSCRIPT: Gibbs: But, again, let's--How about we do this? I promise we will interrupt the AP's tradition of asking the first question. I will let you [Chip Reid] ask me a question tomorrow as to whether you thought the questions at the town hall meeting that the President conducted in Annandale— Chip Reid: I'm perfectly happy to— Helen Thomas: That's not his point. The point is the control-- Reid: Exactly. Thomas: We have never had that in the White House. And we have had some, but not-- This White House. Gibbs: Yes, I was going to say, I'll let you amend her question. Thomas: I'm amazed. I'm amazed at you people who call for openness and transparency and— Gibbs: Helen, you haven't even heard the questions. Reid: It doesn't matter. It's the process. Thomas: You have left open— Reid: Even if there's a tough question, it's a question coming from somebody who was invited or was screened, or the question was screened. Thomas: It's shocking. It's really shocking. Gibbs: Chip, let's have this discussion at the conclusion of the town hall meeting. How about that? Reid: Okay. Gibbs: I think— Thomas: No, no, no, we're having it now-- Gibbs: Well, I'd be happy to have it now. Thomas: It's a pattern. Gibbs: Which question did you object to at the town hall meeting, Helen? Thomas: It's a pattern. It isn't the question— Gibbs: What's a pattern? Thomas: It's a pattern of controlling the press. Gibbs: How so? Is there any evidence currently going on that I'm controlling the press--poorly, I might add. Thomas: Your formal engagements are pre-packaged. Gibbs: How so? Reid: Well, and controlling the public— Thomas: How so? By calling reporters the night before to tell them they're going to be called on. That is shocking. Gibbs: We had this discussion ad nauseam and— Thomas: Of course you would, because you don't have any answers. Gibbs: Well, because I didn't know you were going to ask a question, Helen. Go ahead. Thomas: Well, you should have. Reporter: Thank you for your support. Gibbs: That's good. Have you e-mailed your question today? Thomas: I don't have to e-mail it. I can tell you right now what I want to ask. Gibbs: I don't doubt that at all, Helen. I don't doubt that at all. Thomas was born in Winchester, Kentucky, to Lebanese Christian immigrants from Tripoli, Lebanon, which at the time was part of Syria. She was brought up in Detroit, Michigan and attended Wayne University (now Wayne State University), graduating with a bachelor's degree in 1942. Thomas, 89, has covered the White House during every presidency since John F. Kennedys. Helen Thomas (born August 4, 1920) is an American news service reporter, a Hearst Newspapers columnist, and member of the White House Press Corps. She served for fifty-seven years as a correspondent and, later, White House bureau chief for United Press International (UPI). Thomas has covered every president since John F. Kennedy. She was the first female officer of the National Press Club, the first female member and president of the White House Correspondents Association, and, in 1975, the first female member of the Gridiron Club. http://www.cnsnews.com/public/content/article.aspx?RsrcID=50445