The Ottawa Citizen November 8, 1996 News - A1 / Front
VENERABLE TV HOST TOO CANDID FOR CAMERA
By Hugh Davies
"He has not a creative bone in his body.
Therefore, he's a bore, and will always be a
bore.''
-- David Brinkley on Bill Clinton
WASHINGTON -- David Brinkley is the U.S.'s most urbane
broadcaster -- a southern gentleman of the old school,
laconic, wry and utterly deferential, even to the most
outrageous guest on his ABC political talk show.
Then, at 12:30 a.m. on the night of his last U.S.
election, he had some thoughts on live television about
the re-election of Bill Clinton.
"We all look forward with great pleasure to four more
years of wonderful, inspirational speeches full of wit,
poetry, music, love and affection, plus more goddamn
nonsense.''
Correspondent Sam Donaldson broke in: "You can't say
that on the air, Mr. Brinkley. We're on the air, I just
want to re-affirm that, David, OK?''
But Brinkley, 76, careered on, saying: "Well, I'm not
on the air.''
"David, we ARE on the air,'' host Peter Jennings
interrupted.
"Too bad,'' Brinkley retorted. "I told you I was
leaving.''
He described the president as a straw man. As for the
president's talents: "He has not a creative bone in his
body. Therefore, he's a bore, and will always be a
bore.''
His remarks drew hundreds of protest calls to ABC
headquarters and Brinkley called the White House
Thursday to apologize.
As a tribute to Brinkley, Clinton had previously agreed
to give him his first post-election television
interview. It was to be aired Sunday on This Week with
David Brinkley, the journalist's last appearance as
moderator.
Now the White House is not so sure. Clinton will try to
find time, press secretary Michael McCurry said
Thursday. "But it's not 100-per-cent certain.''
