"You people are acting like this is a conversion to democracy by the sword. How can you - I mean, are you going to kill all these people, to get democracy [in Iraq]?" - Hearst columnist Helen Thomas to Press Secretary Ari Fleischer at the October 2 White House briefing

"Beyond his [President Bush's] opinion that the world will be better off [without Saddam Hussein], did he present any concrete evidence of Iraq on the verge of nuclear planning, nuclear bombs, or any other thing that would really be different than what Israel has today?" - Question from Hearst's White House columnist Helen Thomas at the White House briefing, Sept. 4

"I think the chipping away of our civil liberties is unprecedented. Even in World War II, I never saw anything like that in Washington or any of the wars. I think that people are standing mute, and I remember the rabbi in the March on Washington program. He said that the greatest sin of all in the Nazi era was silence. He had been in a concentration camp for many years. People have got to, they must speak up now or forever hold their peace." - Hearst White House columnist Helen Thomas on MSNBC?s Donahue, July 22

"Compared to his son, Bush 43, he [former President George Bush] was much more knowledgeable about all things in the country, domestic and foreign policy, and he took a much more moderate approach. Bush 43 is really an ultraconservative. He follows in the footsteps of Ronald Reagan [more] than his own father. He's a neophyte in foreign affairs, totally reliant on hardline advisors. He has a way to go. He's a work in progress." - Hearst columnist and longtime White House correspondent Helen Thomas comparing the two President Bushes in a WashingtonPost.com online chat on June 26

"Ari, the President claims he's compassionate, but he's on the warpath against Iraq, Iran, North Korea, the Philippines, and this new report he would use nuclear weapons whenever he gets the urge. Is he trying for dictator? How can anyone feel safe with this kind of militarism?" - Helen Thomas at a White House briefing, April 1

"Ari, does the President think that the Palestinians have a right to resist 35 years of brutal military occupation and suppression?" - Helen Thomas's question to White House press secretary Ari Fleischer, April 1

"President Reagan turned the country to the right. There was a Reagan revolution, a very conservative revolution, and it was social Darwinism. If you can't make it, tough. I mean, he did not believe in social welfare and, but at the same time, he did build up our military. He had a secret plan to spend one trillion dollars on new arms when he came in...."
"Clinton, I think his heart was in the right place. He certainly built up a great prosperity and surplus, balanced the budget, I think that he had great ideals, but, of course, he tarnished the White House with his liaisons and, but eventually, you know, every President, time is the great healer, and every President looks better in retrospect, so I think that he has a legacy that will be worthwhile." - Hearst columnist Helen Thomas speaking at a March 3 Newseum session shown by C-SPAN on March 4

"Ari, what makes the President - I'm taking note of his wide-swinging threats in speeches recently. What makes him think that he has the right to go into a sovereign country and bomb the people?" - Hearst White House correspondent Helen Thomas questioning White House press secretary Ari Fleischer at Dec. 5 briefing shown live on cable news channels

Media Bias watchers will recall that Media Research Center awarded her the Bring Back Bubba Award for 2001(for the Best Journalistic Lewinsky):

"Throughout the eight years that he was in office, President Clinton warned us that the next great menace was international terrorism....
"He also brought unprecedented prosperity to our nation, and because of that, President Clinton [she meant Bush] can use the surplus Mr. Clinton left behind to pay for many of the nation's needs in this time of crisis....
"This lecture series is about the human spirit. To me and millions of others, President Clinton has always personified that. He is the man from Hope, and that is what he has given us, hope. We miss him. Thank you, Mr. President."
-- Former UPI White House reporter Helen Thomas introducing Bill Clinton at an Oct. 9, 2001, Greater Washington Society of Association Executives lecture shown on C-SPAN