I call BS on that Clarke speech.
That was a principals meeting; he was NOT a principal.
I agree; Clarke was pretty much out of the loop by then.
I have pretty much written Clarke off in this because he was a consultant on the film. Other consultants were not portrayed in the film and therefore are more reliable.
I also realize that as a character, he was needed for continuity. I just think the characterization is soft as a thank you for his help.
It's docudrama after all.
(BTW, I'm not watching live...I'm on the West Coast. I enjoy reading the responses and then watching for specific things when it airs here. Fascinating!)
None of THAT was in the 9/11 report, which was a whitewash and fictionalized scatter-shot.
Did you catch the "grading" of President Bush, at the end? GOOD GRIEF, THAT WAS THE WHOLE POINT OF THIS SERIES...TRASHBUSH AND HIS TEAM, AT THE END, SO THAT THAT IS WHAT STICKS IN THE WATCHERS' MINDS.
It's true that Condi asked Clarke to head the teleconference in the bunker. He was surprised, and she said, you're the terror specialist.