I happened to see part of Tom Clark's show tonight, and he was quite combative with Jack Layton - my take on that segment is that Clark was dismissing the NDP entirely.
So - is Duffy's replacement even worse than the original?
Power Play with Tom Clark - worse than Mike Duffy?
Tue, 2009-02-17 20:16
#1
Boom Boom
Power Play with Tom Clark - worse than Mike Duffy?
Tue, 2009-02-17 20:37
#2
Scott Piatkowski
What would you expect from the Conservative Television Vortex?
Tue, 2009-02-17 20:47
#3
But he can't even interview properly, and is barely properly briefed on the issue at hand.
Tue, 2009-02-17 21:02
#4
Yes men don't have to briefed. They have to chicken nod and bait.
Tue, 2009-02-17 21:07
#5
Lard Tunderin Jeezus
My impression of Tom Clark to date is that he can barely read the teleprompter, let alone conduct an interview. It's been months since I suffered through a CTV newscast, but really...
I didn't think they could get any more ridiculous and feeble, but it looks like they're out to prove me wrong.
Tue, 2009-02-17 21:44
#6
For years now I've assumed that the Jim Walcott character on the Newsroom was very much based on Tom Clark. I've heard TC make so many ridiculous statements over the years that the Jim Walcott assumption kinda sticks to reality, for me anyway. On the first episode of Power Play he made a crack about poor people having to eat cat food during these tough economic times, and the way it came across was totally Newsroom cringe worthy, albeit tasteless and crass cause it was real.
Tue, 2009-02-17 21:54
#7
Scott Piatkowski
For years now I've assumed that the Jim Walcott character on the Newsroom was very much based on Tom Clark...
Yeah, and Ron Burgundy too.
Wed, 2009-02-18 03:23
#8
OK, I just watched the Clark interview of Layton, followed by the panel with Mulcair. Clark's interviewing technique is improving from the first week, and he's getting slightly better at moderating panels. The first time I watched him do that, Mulcair just about took his head off for not balancing the time fairly.
Journalists in those panel situations seems to want to prove that they're contributing some kind of value added by interrupting and challenging what they view as spin by their guests, but you're right that Clark mainly does that to the NDPers.
At least he doesn't give fawning BJs to guests who are clearly sources or could help him get a Senate appointment. I assume the nervousness will disappear and he will get a bit better informed, but it's never going to be Politics with Don Newman!
Wed, 2009-02-18 05:59
#9
Boom Boom
I assume the nervousness will disappear and he will get a bit better informed, but it's never going to be Politics with Don Newman!
Isn't Tom Clark an Ottawa veteran??? Despite his youthful looks, hasn't he been with CTV forever?
Wed, 2009-02-18 08:56
#10
Lard Tunderin Jeezus
Youthful? He looks like a 35 year old...
... leather sofa.
Wed, 2009-02-18 09:32
#11
Boom Boom
Wed, 2009-02-18 10:04
#12
The rumour has been for some time now that they are grooming him to replace Lloyd Robertson when he steps down. Duffy leaving appeared to give them a chance to bring him back from Washington in a high enough profile role in Ottawa to continue that process. But I wonder if Bob Fife, who's way better plugged in in Ottawa, might not also covet that role. I guess Clark would be the new Lloyd, Fife would be the new Craig Oliver, and Lisa Laflamme would be the new Sandi Rinaldo.
Wed, 2009-02-18 10:53
#13
Boom Boom
...I guess Clark would be the new Lloyd, Fife would be the new Craig Oliver, and Lisa Laflamme would be the new Sandi Rinaldo.
Yuck to all those choices! You may be 100% on the money, but holy yuck! 
ps: who will then be the new Mike Duffy, if at all?
Wed, 2009-02-18 13:27
#14
I dread the answer, but: Jane Taber.
Wed, 2009-02-18 14:14
#15
Boom Boom
Wed, 2009-02-18 14:20
#16
CTV makes the off-air system test worth watching.
The bigger problem is the unequal coverage like on election day when CTV had only a Liberal and a Conservative and nobody else on until after the polls closed.
Having a person who is not a strong debater on isn't necessarily a bad thing- let the right wing arguments get publicly defeated on CTV...