Mary Stokes-Rees

I have watched P&P regularly for years, beginning with host Evan Soloman and then through Rosemary Barton, Vassy Kapelos, and now David Cochrane. As with Rosie, David too comes across as smart, professional, down-to-earth, and balanced. He is someone who exhibits the ability to question his panel and guests without concern that he may offend the feelings of the Liberal government (and taxpayers) upon whose funding his salary depends! In short, one doesn't get the impression that he is partisan. It is frankly refreshing to see that the Liberals are not being "protected" by P&P as many justifiably thought they were for many years. Through Liberal scandal after scandal - now too numerous even to remember them all - P&P for too many years shielded the Liberals from hard-hitting scrutiny, which anyone could see was called for by the very serious and serial government scandals over the years. Unfortunately, this is undoubtedly, and at least in part, how and why the "defund the CBC" campaign gained momentum. The viewing public is smart enough to perceive bias. David has brought more political balance to the show. And, of course, I like his sense of humour and friendly Newfoundland style.