06.17.03


old, not stale: found verse in the new york times.
When Ari Fleischer leaves his job as President Bush's press secretary this summer, what will we remember about his tenure? His ability to stay on message? His calm demeanor? Or his poetry? In his nearly three years at the White House, Mr. Fleischer has produced volumes of verse, much of it in collaboration with Helen Thomas, the United Press International correspondent. (All language taken from White House transcripts.)


Helen, bonjour; I like your chapeau. (Jan. 8, 2003)


I'm happy to take your questions, Helen. (April 14, 2003)


Always interested in your opinion, Helen. (Nov. 27, 2001)


I'm not sure what you're driving at, Helen. (Jan. 16, 2002)


You're mixing up two stories, Helen. (Dec. 14, 2001)


It's a wily paraphrase, Helen, wily. (Jan. 23, 2003)


Keep going, Helen. (Oct. 9, 2002)


Let events take their course, Helen. (Jan. 23, 2003)


Go stand in the corner, Helen. (Feb. 26, 2003)


I'm sorry, Helen? (Dec. 20, 2002)


Helen? We're back to Helen? (July 3, 2002)


Helen, I dispute the premise of your question. (March 5, 2003)


Helen, I do not accept the description of the premise of your question, and the manner in which you asked it. (April 1, 2002)


Helen, without accepting the premise of the way that question is phrased, let me tell you what the president thinks. (March 25, 2002)


Helen, the president's position is well known on this. (Dec. 20, 2002)


Helen, again, the president has made his point clear. (April 12, 2002)


Helen, you don't have the floor. (July 10, 2002)


Helen, your views on this are well known. (Oct. 9, ,2002)


Helen, we all know you have opinions. (May 17, 2002)


Helen, with your support, the answer will be yes. (June 20, 2001)


Helen, I've addressed the question. (Sept. 28, 2001)


Helen, Helen. (May 14, 2002)


Helen? Helen? (July 3,2002)


Helen. (May 29, 2003)


Hart Seely is editor of "Pieces of Intelligence: The Existential Poetry of Donald Rumsfeld."


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