Helen (Thomas), I'd like you to meet Howard (Dean): a dream lunch with two DU heroes [View All]

[DFW]

I had been trying to put this together for 18 months, and FINALLY managed today.

We met up at a restaurant of Howard's choosing in DC this afternoon. I picked Helen up at her residence,
and we met Howard and my brother at the restaurant. I discussed DU briefly with both of them, but the conversation
moved quickly on to other things--LOTS of other things: specific races this fall, the Middle East, Obama and his
inner circle (and how destructive it was for Jimmy Carter before him to rely only on an inner circle who was great
as a campaign team, but not suited for the mechanics of Washington reality). There was lots of private stuff as well.
Although Helen and Howard had been mostly passing ships in the Washington night, I've known them both well for many
years, and we did discuss a lot of personal and family stuff. My brother took a half day off from his day job in Virginia
to be able to join us downtown and round out the foursome.

Most of it was off the record, and I gnash my teeth in frustration, but will respect it.

One comment Helen made afterward was how much of a breath of fresh air Howard was, and how he was the first politician
she had met in decades who answered every question she asked, and answered directly with no evasion. Howard said he was
sure she would not have been so gracious if she had been grilling him as President, and Helen said he was surely right.

When the bill came, I reached for it, and Howard grabbed it out of my hand. I protested, saying that the lunch was my
idea, after all. He said that after all I had done for him and his efforts, it was the least he could do. I reminded him
that on a scale of 100, what he had done for the party was a 110 compared to my fraction. He knew I was right, but he
took the bill anyway. That's the kind of guy he is. Helen had a delightful time as well, as found Howard as wonderful
as I had told her, and she had hoped. Howard was on his way to doing a show with Chris Matthews this afternoon, and he
looked relaxed and ten years younger than he is.

These are two people who SHOULD have still been making American history. It is cruel fate--and the country's loss--that
they are not. But it is comforting that their voices have not yet been stilled. Helen plans to be "back" in September in
one way or another, and Howard promises to be out there "raising hell" for causes he believes in, just as he has been all
along.

Some pics:


with my brother:


Helen with a card from a DUer that I delivered (I keep my promises!)