Dana Perino Disses Helen Thomas On The Daily Show

Dana Perino gets points for bravery, both for going on The Daily Show and for doing so in hot pink — but otherwise last night's interview with the current White House Press Secretary was sort of...uncomfortable. She handled it like a pro, of course — Jon Stewart called her "unflappable" — but otherwise it did little to contradict her image as a smooth spinmeister who remains on message no matter what other human response may be required. (For example, Stewart picked up on last week's headline wherein she said that no one in the briefing room asked her about Iraq anymore; said Perino: "It's gotten better, and therefore it's not as interesting." Spin and a diss on the press! Oh she's good.) Perino also complained that the press corps interrupted her, for which Stewart had little pity, and — in a move that no doubt infuriated many viewers — dissed grande dame of the press corps Helen Thomas by implying that her questions "not based on fact." (Probably those ones about Iraq that Perino used to get and answer so forthrightly.) Best line: "The president has said that he's going to sprint to the finish...can you get him to run faster?" Watch below:

Also, ETP could not find the "Women Who Love Ari Fleischer" site. We did look. Just one. Someone help her.

Comments

[Classof89]

From someone who didn't know what the Cuban missile crisis was, she's got a lot of nerve disrespecting Ms. Thomas. True idiot and more proof not to take this one seriously. Then again, that's what you get with Alfred E. Neuman at the controls hiring like-minded morons. Eight years of White House asininity. Beautiful.

[Rojam]

Its odd to see people dissing someone you know, or knew, rather well. I think Dana's doing as good of job as one could do. I mean, really, who would want that position?? I've been impressed with her ability to handle the press and keep a lame duck president relevant. That being said, I would consider Dana more driven then intelligent, but it works for her. And as far as being a "puppet," uh...yeah, that's her job. She is the mouthpiece of the administration. She can't go out to a press briefing and speak her opinion, who would want that?? She is speaking for the president and his administration. If you think her message is lousy - don't shoot the messenger.

And as far as Helen goes, she really has become, as one person stated, a caricture of herself.

[doctordawg]

How long has John Stewart been auditioning for "Larry King Live"? Dana Perino calls Helen Thomas a liar, and Stewart says nothing. What kind of bull crap is this? Not only is Stewart not giving air to someone who deserves it, he's allowing lies to stand as the truth. Just the day before he has a neocon war apologist selling a book on how Bush has prevented horrible attacks when in fact Fox News' list of thwarted attacks is completely bogus, with pizza boys planning attacks on military bases. And Stewart lets him talk.
Stewart thinks he's promoting civil discourse, but he's hurting us now. He's giving air to liars.

[Rachel36]

Seems he gave her the latitude so we could see how ridiculous she is. It worked.

[ObamaEdwards]

Every spokesperson for the White House during the Bush administration has been a tool. Why would anyone expect this one to be different? OK, she's a BLOND tool. I pity the women of this administration. They really are delusional.

[Strywever]

Dana Perino strikes me as "press secretary lite." a puppet. I'd bet she isn't in the inner circle that helps set policy, and that she is spoonfed "facts" and tasked with making them sound credible, without really wanting to know for herself which are true, which aren't, and which would look completely different if she understood the context behind them. She's sort of a

[JScott]

John have Helen Thomas on she can diss Dana on like that line from 'Fried Green Tomatoes'.

Face it Dana, yeah I'm older than you, have more experience than you, and at least I'm a journalist and not a spinmeister mouthpiece.

[huffposeur]

if you were really a journalist you would've called yourself a reporter.

and yes, let's see helen thomas on the daily show. please. let america see how this poor women's ice cubes melted long, long ago. she is a parody of what she once was.

[boyd]

At least she had ice cubes to melt, unlike yourself.

[pinkerman2]

Right JScott , Perino isn't worthy of carrying Helen Thomas's note book. She is nothing more than a glib used-car salesperson and tells any lies that the White House commands.

[knowhelpnow]

Dana isn't a journalist just like those before her. "They didn't lie" what a can of beans.
John should of jumped on Dana when she said Helen didn't talk facts, of course she might of meant the facts of this Administration.
Come January 2009, I can't wait to get rid of all these liars.
Hoping of course that Obama wins.

[larryfishkorn]

That interview was much like a White House briefing: Completely useless. It gave me a headache, trying to follow that. She's sitting well, though. I see her getting work at Fox News come 2009. You mean to tell me that she, nor any of the other White House press pricks, never lied? Come on.

[smokeystover39]

Per Wikipedia: "She (Helen Thomas) has served for 57 years as a correspondent and White House bureau chief for United Press International (UPI). Thomas has covered every president since John F. Kennedy, was the first woman officer of the National Press Club, was the first woman member and president of the White House Correspondents Association, and the first woman member of the Gridiron Club." 57 years from now we'll see Perino as the swing shift towel girl at some flophouse - AND she'll be grateful for the job considering her intelligence. Helen ROCKS!!!!!!

[boyd]

Well said. Damn right!

[MACS]

.
Jon was quite polite in that he did not ask questions that required the understanding of FACTS vice SPIN.
.

[Durango]

The best line was when she said her predecessors didn't lie:

Stewart says: I have th tapes.

Stewart was not as gentle as he usually is. He wants an honest dialogue. When he doesn't get it his claws come out.

I don't expect to see Ms Perino on the Daily Show ever again.

Too bad the White House Press Corps aren't as sharp. And it is REALLY too bad that apparently no one in the WHPC have any tapes!

[normathumb]

The Democrats have been too adventurist in foriegn policy, we cannot effectively do and should not try to engage in nation building, (2000 campaign positions), WMD, Iraq/Al Qaida connections, the war paying for itself, we don't do quagmires, this will be months not years, we will be greeted as liberators, and Perino says Thomas' questions aren't based in fact. What audacity! What Gall. She must think we are pretty stupid with a complete lack of memory, rather like her, I guess. Some one ought to tell her to go read a book on recent history.

[Graywolf48]

I've seen Ms. Perino in action. She is the stereotypical "blonde bimbo" so many comedians make jokes about. Not very bright, not very professional with a voice that belongs to Betty Boop. I expect to her to end each press briefing with a cheery "poop poop ba doo!" The young lady has a lot to learn about respect for her elders and graciousness. She in fact wouldn't make a pimple on Helen Thomas's ass.

[Rachel36]

I've never heard her structure a complete sentence cuz her voice drops off at the end.

[VivaZapata]

She came off well, considering she's in the lying game.

[mcnary]

DP has made a good living as a liar for them, of course she sold her soul, but sucha pretty black BMW.

Score an "F" for Stewart.... whata joke.

[mamacat]

Mr. Stewart has performed a public service by allowing this member of Bush's administration to come forward and speak her mind. What she said speaks volumes about where her head is at. It is not surprising that any member of the press who asks tough questions would be disrespected. It is also not surprising that an administration so used to lieing would continue to do so, as in accusing Ms. Thomas of disregarding facts.

I would love to see Ms. Thomas have a brief segment on Mr. Stewart's show in which she is allowed to comment on Ms. Perino's accusation.

[rini]

Yeah, Jon.

Get Helen on the show. She's great.

[Wilburrr]

All in favor say "aye"....