Excerpts From Helen Thomas's Book: "Orwellian" Bush Press Team, Press Secretaries Are "Robots" "Spouting Nonsense"...

Raw Story | June 1, 2006 at 01:01 PM
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In a RAW STORY exclusive excerpt from her new book, White House columnist Helen Thomas calls Bush press secretaries 'robots' 'spouting nonsense' and dubs Bush's press team 'Orwellian.' Thomas has covered the White House since 1960 and is now a columnist for Hearst. From pages 36-37 and 52-56 of Watchdogs of Democracy by Helen Thomas, which hits bookstores June 15.
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For many reporters, the White House beat was nirvana--the top of the mark.

More than any president, we came to know and size up the press secretaries. My favorites had wit, warmth, and compassion, understanding that each--press secretary and reporter--had a role to play. The country was best served when the press secretary also understood he or she was dealing with the nation's business, operating as a publicist for the president. I have always thought that the job of White House press secretary is the toughest position after the presidency itself.

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