'Woman in the Red Dress' Up Front On War in Iraq Famed Political Reporter Helen Thomas Addresses Audience in South Burlington

Author: Megan Michelson

Helen Thomas was not wearing her signature red dress, which she wore for so many years as the White House Bureau Chief for United Press International, when she spoke at the Sheraton Conference Center in South Burlington last Sunday. Dressed instead in dark blue, Thomas addressed hundreds of Vermonters on the topics of Bush's presidency, the war with Iraq and the value of an independent media.

Thomas is known for more than her red dress. In her career as a journalist, she has covered the White House through nine presidencies over the last 40 years. At age 83, she is still a working journalist, writing a syndicated column for Hearst Newspapers.

Thomas has been called the "Grande Dame of Political Journalism," and her personality has been described as "feisty," "precise," "relentless" and "enduring." She has interrogated every president from J.F.K. to Bill Clinton. She is best known for asking the opening question from the front row at White House press conferences and closing with the statement, "Thank you, Mr. President."

It was only recently that the Bush administration demoted her to the back of the press room during news conferences, disabling her from posing her famously challenging inquiries. "I was sent to the back because I asked obnoxious questions," Thomas said with a laugh.

Her speech on Sunday marked the inaugural lecture in a series presented by the Vermont Woman Speakers Bureau and Vermont Woman, a new monthly newspaper. Suzanne Gillis, publisher of Vermont Woman, introduced Thomas, saying, "She has a passion for the news, a passion for history and the belief that the independent press is the lifeblood of our democracy."

Thomas began her lecture by sharing her opinions on the war in Iraq. "War is killing and being killed. This is a war without purpose. It has been called a war of choice, but who would choose this? We did - and without any imminent danger." She cited the loss of human lives and the spending of billions of dollars as results of a war which she described as "an incredible folly."

Thomas blamed the silenced communication between the press and the presidency as a major factor in the downfall of the state of the Union. She said that few presidents since George Washington, who she jokingly acknowledged came before her time, have actually liked engaging with the press. But, according to Thomas, George W. Bush has been the least receptive to the national media. "President Bush is the most conservative president I've ever covered. He has only held 10 news conferences in his nearly three years in office," she said.

She twice repeated the phrase, "Democracy dies behind closed doors," further stating, "The fears of being called unpatriotic and un-American have caused the press to roll over and play dead." Quoting Abraham Lincoln, she said, "Let the people know the facts, and the people will be safe."

Thomas herself, however, is hardly playing dead. Her charismatic personality radiated from the stage as she recalled gripping and often humorous stories from her experience working with nine different presidents. "I try to remember each president as a human being with highs and lows. Ultimately, I believe the president is the nation's chief public servant." She related personal memories ranging from dinners with Lyndon B. Johnson to traveling to China with Richard Nixon, as well as meeting Mikhail Gorbachev in Moscow with Ronald Reagan.

In her closing comments, she again posed the question of why the United States initiated a preemptive attack on Iraq. "The American people can handle the truth - they deserve at least that," she said.

Thomas, who is used to asking the questions, spent the final portion of her appearance fielding questions from the audience. Middlebury College student Emily Halnon '06.5 asked Thomas what advice she had for the next generation. "I am outraged at the injustice," Thomas replied. "I think future generations need to get mad and get even."

Overall, Thomas' appearance was received with enthusiasm. Margaret Michniewicz, managing editor of Vermont Woman, was pleased with the audience turnout and participation. "We live in a state where people are naturally going to come in with jaws dropped because they can't believe what's going on in our government. This isn't the case in all states. So, I'm not surprised at the support and enthusiasm that these Vermonters are showing for Helen Thomas today," said Michniewicz.

Halnon, a political science major, has heard Thomas speak in Washington as well. She further praised Thomas, saying, "I think she is an incredible speaker. She's so humorous and so inspirational. She has the right to say everything she does. She should be standing up for her beliefs," said Halnon.

When an audience member stood up to thank Thomas for coming to Vermont, Thomas responded, "Gosh, I really love being here. Now do I have to go back to where I'm hated?"