DAN RATHER WILL STEP DOWN FROM CBS EVENING NEWS

[rodeodance]

ABC NEWS HAS LEARNED DAN RATHER WILL STEP DOWN FROM CBS EVENING NEWS -- STAY WITH ABCNEWS.COM FOR MORE


http://abcnews.go.com?CMP=EMC-1396

[shoelace414]

1. ABC Scooped CBS on a CBS story?

[dolo amber]

2. No kidding...my first thought too

Priceless. :7

[fryguy]

39. bwah-ha-ha-ha

rofl

[Bozita]

3. It's either a leak or wishful thinking

[ROC]

6. Could just be another indicator of the state of CBS news

[UL_Approved]

4. WTF?!?!?!!? What now?

This needs more confirmation. I want to know what this is about. If Dan Rather is leaving, where will he go, and what are his plans?

[neuvocat]

10. See here

http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2004/11/23/entertainment/main657295.shtml

[clydefrand]

34. He and Rumsfeld are going to run their co-owned ranch!

[johnfunk]

64. PREDICTION: FReepers and Bushistas live to regret going after Dan...

Word from inside is that Rather will be preparing some airtight investigative reports -- and we may not have heard the last about one or both of the mystery documents that the FRascists labeled "forgeries" with neither evidence nor direct investigation.

Bottom line: Rather is writing his own journalistic ticket, making him in effect more dangerous to wrongwing smear artists.

FOOTNOTE: My "word from inside" is indeed an insider, just spoke with him on the phone.

[Dhalgren]

76. It's like that line from "Shaft":

"Do you think I'm more dangerous with a badge or without one?"

[Straight Shooter]

84. Tell your "insider" that we at DU support Dan Rather 100 percent

It's time to stop pulling punches.

[bendeminga]

91. Speak for yourself...

His/Mary's actions hurt the Kerry campaign.

[Name removed]

93. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[bendeminga]

95. When someone uses WE, and speaks for the group...

..that's inclusive jackass. How can I be * supporting when I am complaining that Dan Rather HURT KERRY's campaign because of their bumbeling of the story?! You have mistaken. Future apology accepted.

[Just Me]

100. Well, um,...you do not speak for "Just Me",...

,...IF this news is true,...I DO look forward to Rather escaping the political rhetoric and corporate blitz,...and FIGHTING for that which the American people both need and deserve: TRANSPARENCY, ACCOUNTABILITY and something akin to THE TRUTH!!!!

On the side,...chill out *smile*. Otherwise, your rigidity shows through. Okay?

[bendeminga]

106. OK--what do you think about this?!

ok.
:)

[Be Brave]

105. I hope your information is correct.

I hope he continues the fight. He is probably the one bright light in journalism these days, and I wouldn't exchange him for any of those smarmy and sleek anchors. And I would hate for him to "go down" without a fight. Go Dan Rather!

[SoCalDem]

5. You know, I don't blame him one bit

He's got plenty of money, he's getting up there in years, and I am sure he's not looking forward to 4 more years of grief and harassment from morons..

[goclark]

47. I thought it was Jenning's ranch

[tsuki]

109. Isn't he 72?

[truthseeker1]

7. and the Bushco purge continues..... (nt)

[deutsey]

8. What's the frequency, Kenneth?

[NoSunWithoutShadow]

17. Could you explain that phrase for me

I've heard it before and for the life of me I can't quite figure it out. Thanks in advance.

[Shopaholic]

21. Many years ago, Dan Rather was approached by someone

in NYC who asked him that question and then proceeded to beat him up. Later, the same guy shot and killed a NBC employee as they were opening up their Today Show studio down in Rockerfeller Center. Apparently he had some serious mental issues. Anyway, REM later wrote a song that asked the same question.

[CottonBear]

24. That's what the mugger said as he mugged Dan in NYC.

I believe that the phrase was part of an r.e.m. lyric. Correct me if I'm wrong about this.

[KDLarsen]

25. Not sure if this is what you mean..

.. but it's the title of a song by R:E:M - which I like. A lot.

[peekaloo]

28. here's a story/explanation

http://www.ape-o-naut.org/innuendo

[deutsey]

31. Can someone confirm this for me about Rather and JFK murder?

I've read that Dan Rather is one of the few journalists who saw the Zapruder film years before the film was released to the public in the mid-'70s.

From what I've read, Rather supposedly reported that you could clearly see JFK lunging forward from the shot to his head. Anyone who has seen Oliver Stone's "JFK" knows the refrain "back and to the left" as the actual direction Kennedy took with the fatal head shot.

Is it true that Rather made this report? I've been unable to confirm it.

[peekaloo]

36. isn't it in his autobiography?

Or did you mean an actual televised news account?

[deutsey]

37. What did he actually report after seeing the Zapruder film before

it was made public? Did he say Kennedy lunged forward from the head shot?

[peekaloo]

42. here

http://spot.acorn.net/jfkplace/09/fp.back_issues/10th_Issue/d_rather.html

[deutsey]

51. Thanks....I saw that too.

Apparently in his autobiography Rather does defend reporting that Kennedy lunged forward; so I guess he did report that. I've never read his autobiography, so I was looking for some other reputable source. But if he admits it in his book, then I guess that confirms it.

Ever since hearing this a few years ago, I've always been a little suspicious of Rather. Maybe it was just an honest mistake, but that's a bit hard for me to swallow in this case.

[NoSunWithoutShadow]

43. Thanks everybody. n/t

[peekaloo]

9. John Roberts has been looking awfully happy lately.

[soleft]

11. Another victim on Rove's hit list

[imenja]

12. Is this because of the Bush National Guard story?

on 60 minutes II?

[Sparkle]

18. Only freepers will say that's the reason

[ebayfool]

35. WaPo guy talking on msnbc is saying it is because of the story.

Funny - msm backing up a freeper pov, isn't it?!

on edit: darn sticky keyboard

[Truman01]

45. Only we will try to say it isn't the reason

CBS is canning him for a story that they know was truthful, because he was duped into using documents he thought were real.... Of course the corporate gods are using him as a scapegoat to appease the Bushco machine.

[Isere]

13. I heard a rumor

that he would take an anchor spot at CNN.

[jdj]

19. unlikely.

[BrightKnight]

111. Remaining silent about this is not a good idea.

I think that he should be defended. If they are trying to push him out we should push back. Big media has been ignoring half of the people in this country. I find it very annoying that there is not someone like Bill Moyers in the network news programs.

This might be a good opportunity to push for some balance. Remaining silent about this is not a good idea.

[pk_du]

14. Just on now at CNN too

leaves in March 2005

[Shopaholic]

23. Just got a flash news notice from MSNBC

too. It's official. Damn, damn, damn, damn.

[Sparkle]

15. That's too bad. He was one of the few that wasn't a media whore.

[wovenpaint]

41. And that would be why he's gone.....

and i agree with you. More reason now to let my TV keep accumulating dust!

[cal04]

16. story link from CBS

CBS News says Rather to step down as evening anchor (VIA, VIA.B) By August Cole
SAN FRANCISCO (CBS.MW) -- CBS News (VIA) (VIA.B) on Tuesday said that evening news anchor Dan Rather plans to step down in March 2005, according to the CBSNews.com Web site.

http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2004/11/23/entertainment/main657295.shtml

Rather will continue to work full-time at CBS News as a correspondent for both editions of 60 Minutes, as well as on other assignments for the news division.

[jdj]

20. I'm pissed.

Pissed.

Why can't he wait for the impeachment when Bush gets caught in flagrante delecto with Condi and the repukes are forced to impeach him to save their seats in congress.

Why the hell go out on a low note like this...it makes it look like they ran him out.

[demokatgurrl]

59. Bush in flagrante delecto with Condi wouldn't even be enough-

first of all you need a Dem majority and secondly, apparenlty nothing these assholes do matters. They get away with murder and the media, and the rest of us, let them. People who shine the light on the cockroaches like Dan Rather "retire".

[jdj]

115. the racist south voted him in remember?

all the senators from bammie and sippi would lose their asses if they did nothing.

[Boosterman]

123. It wasnt the racist south. Learn to read a map.

Sorry but tired of being lumped in as a racist redneck. Heck Mississippi was 40 % Kerry and California was 45% Bush.

[Cush]

22. not surprising

there were rumors earlier in the year that he would step down after the election was over

[Lex]

26. Crap! Why does *everybody* roll over like that?

Won't anyone stand and fight anymore?

[leQ]

27. my thoughts exactly!

n/t

[DWolper]

94. He's 73 years old!!

He has been reporting since he was 20 years old. I think at 73, Rather has more than enough reason to step aside from the anchor chair. He has "stood and fought" for more years than most on this board have been alive.

[Dinger]

29. Maybe He'll Go Somewhere Else...Suggestions Anyone?

This CAN'T stand!

[bullimiami]

30. CBS left actual news behind.

Dan Rather can either become a propagandist/ talking head or find honest employment doing real news.

For me this speaks volumes about his integrity.

[SW FL Dem]

33. CNN says he is going to stay at CBS and 60 minutes

he is just leaving the anchor desk for the evening news. He want to do investigative reporting "full-time"

[Brundle_Fly]

32. I think its a good thing

he isnt going to become a a talking head, it is for that reason he is leaving, to do actual reporting instead of being chained to a desk.

I hope he pursues some good old fashioned 70's style journalism.

god knows, we need it/

[Ima]

101. This is a demotion!!!

"Rather will continue to work full-time at CBS News as a correspondent for both editions of 60 Minutes, as well as on other assignments for the news division."


It sounds like he is under contract, and they can't just 'let him go'.


"Correspondent", means they can send him to one dangerous shit hole, after another. This is field work, and he's getting to old for that kind of abuse.


They will send him to war zones and the like, to get him to quit.

[rust1d]

38. Freepers Win

They can have this battle, at this point Dan's partisan views are well known - big deal, so he's a lefty. Most journalists are, but manage to keep it hidden (I mean having access to the uncensored Truth on a daily basis is enough to make anyone go Left). But when their political leanings are outed, they lose effectiveness and should move on.

http://www.notthistimegeorge.org">Not This Time George!

[Lex]

40. He's still going to actively pursue stories & do reports.

Now that he's not the "anchor" maybe he can step up the pressure against BushCo.

[99Pancakes]

48. You have a dead link (nt)

nt

[dennis4868]

52. I just dont see.....

how anyone can say that Rather is a lefty. Did Rather not go after Clinton for eight years and repeat on his show every night every rumor that came out of Starr's office? Yes, he goes after the repubs as much as dems who are in power but that does not mean he is a lefty.

According to repubs, if a journalist goes afrter dems and repubs equally they are a lefty. It is only if they attack dems only are they fair and balanced according to the repubs.

[saracat]

75. That is ridiculous. Clinton was news, and Rather had to report it. ABC

was the network that was in bed with Starr. Sheesh! Some people act like Clinton was a saint. If he had kept his zipper up people wouldn't have had to report his failing!

[dennis4868]

118. I remember in the 1990s....

Rather night after night repeated rumor after rumor about Clinton that turned out not to be true...they all did this. Also, if Clinton kept his zipper up they would have gone after him for something else...dont you understand there was a 100 million dollar infrastructure set up to bring Clinton down no matter what....wake up!

[Bridget Burke]

56. But if their beliefs tend to the right.....

That's just fine.

Why is that?

[Laelth]

79. Bingo!

I think you nailed it with this quote:

"having access to the uncensored Truth on a daily basis is enough to make anyone go Left."

... my feelings, exactly. And, welcome to DU! :hi:

-Laelth

[alexisfree]

44. one time he said...

quote from the BBC, Dan Rather. "There was a time in South Africa that people would put flaming tires around people`s necks if they dissented," he said, "and in some ways, the fear is that you will be necklaced here, you will have a flaming tire of lack of patriotism put around your neck. Now it is that fear that keeps journalists from asking the toughest of the tough questions, and to continue to bore in on the tough questions so often. And again, I am humbled to say I do not except myself from this criticism."

no I don’t have a link except this one:

http://book.democracynow.org/booknotes.php

[Catchawave]

46. Bless his heart, he's 73 !

And not until March 2005 ! This is hardly considered a firing, thank goodness. More like a retiring?

[Left in IL]

49. Dan's ratings are down.

Since the Bush thing, CBS News's ratings have dropped, so I think it's a matter of Ad revnue.

[Bridget Burke]

57. Gosh, I didn't know that.

It would be really great to have more information.

Gotta link?

[Sparkle]

67. Actually it was the opposite.

[Left in IL]

114. Ratings were down

http://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/nypost/701186751.html?did=701186751&FMT=ABS&FMTS=FT&date=Sep+28%2C+2004&author=MICHAEL+STARR+and+VINCENT+MORRIS&desc=DAN%27S+RATINGS+IN+A+FREE+FALL


DAN'S RATINGS IN A FREE FALL
MICHAEL STARR and VINCENT MORRIS. New York Post. New York, N.Y.: Sep 28, 2004. pg. 004

Companies: CBS Corp(Ticker:CBS, NAICS: 513111, 513120, Sic:4832, 4833, 4841 )
Section: News
Text Word Count 421
Document URL:

Abstract (Document Summary)
The "CBS Evening News" averaged 160,000 viewers last week on WCBS/ Channel 2 - down from 231,000 viewers the week before.

The numbers spiraled downward since Wednesday, with Thursday's "Evening News" pulling only 140,000 viewers on Channel 2, and a measly 108,000 viewers Friday, according to Nielsen numbers.

" desperately wanted to believe forged documents . . . It wasn't just sloppy journalism. It ...

[Zan_of_Texas]

50. a few tidbits on Rather

Yes, he has plenty of money. WAAAAAAY back when, I saw in a newspaper that he was paid $7 million a year -- I mean, we are talking over a decade ago. So, if he never got a raise, he'd still be doing JUST FINE.

Yes, he's at an age when most people retire -- or past it -- isn't he in his seventies?

Do you remember that when Leahy and Daschle got anthrax letters, so did Dan? He scoffed at the whole thing, said he was sure he didn't have anthrax -- basically, did NOT seem intimidated.

That "necklacing" statement that he made to British press sticks in my mind. It was after 9-11, but not RIGHT after. I heard the clip (although I can't find it right this sec). He was talking very softly and thoughtfully about how the American media was expected to follow behind the president without dissent after 9-11, and he used the term "necklacing" for what would happen if they didn't -- he apologized for the comparison, but it is what would happen in South Africa -- a rubber tire would be set around a person's neck, and then put on fire.

There are those who think Rather knew more than he ever said about the JFK assassination. I don't know one way or the other on that.

[deutsey]

54. As I write in my post above, Rather erroneously reported

after seeing the Zapruder film that Kennedy lunged forward from the head shot.

This was years before the film was made public in the mid-'70s, so his report helped to create in the public's mind a false understanding of what the Zapruder film actually shows.

[Zan_of_Texas]

77. Yeah, well I'm talking about more than that.

[deutsey]

86. His "mistake" was just one of many interesting coincidences

that ultimately supported the official version of what happened in Dallas.

Funny how that always seems to happen. :eyes:

[MrsCheaplaugh]

82. He was on our side?

Dan Rather is a media whore just the same as Peter Jennings or Tom Brokaw. He may have made that "necklacing" statement to the British press, but what was he doing on David Letterman getting all teary-eyed and saying something like if unquestioning patriotism was what was needed after 9-11, then he was standing right in line? Also, he's done more than any other "journalist" to mock those who question the JFK assasination. Hope the door doesn't hit this egocentric wind bag in the ass.

[Cicero]

53. Why is this news?

After all, haven't we been hearing something like this for months, now?

Later,

[Demrock6]

62. On the ABC message board, their is neo-cons ripping Rather.

He makes one mistake and neo-cons want blood. Why don't they take a look at their own hypocrisy?

[Ducks In A Row]

55. Maybe we'll be hearing that Dan will be heading the new AAR news division

hey, I can dream

[Dr Ron]

61. and All Franken will replace Rather at CBS

:)

[Ducks In A Row]

65. Al's going into politics, thinking of running for Senator somewhere I hear

[Name removed]

121. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[goodboy]

58. doesn't surprise me. In the end, anyone who crosses bushco gets it.

[CBHagman]

60. The Bush junta will be smug, but...

...pride goeth before a fall, or at least an ass-kicking by fate. They've been dancing on their enemies' graves, but look for things to turn around in an unpleasant way for them.

[Endangered Specie]

63. Noooooooo!!

:( :( :(

[et in Arcadia ego...]

66. I don't blame him for stepping down

If I had to glorify that f*ckin Bush asswipe like the rest of the press does night after night I'd puke. Dan, you rock dude!:yourock:

[Merlin]

68. I predict Dan will pull an LBJ and change his plans to spite ABC.

I vaguely recall LBJ, I think, deciding to change a key appointment to an important post simply because it got leaked via an adversary.

Dan will eventually go, but not this way.

[sonicx]

69. He and CBS made a mistake and apoligised yet...

FAUX and cable news can deliberately lie all day with no consequence. that's fair.

:eyes:

[CityDem]

70. Don't let the door hit you on the way out

I will not miss Rather at all. His mishandling of the AWOL story and use of questionable documents took this issue off the table for the rest of the campaign. He should have been more diligent in his investigation and verified the validity of the documents. I hope Mary Mapes gets the boot as well since she was the producer of this story. If they done their job correctly, the AWOL story would have hounded * throughout the entire campaign. Plus, the phony document story sucked the oxygen out of other important stories (Iraq) for almost 10 days -- giving junior a break from Kerry's attack.

[sonicx]

73. Kerry's campaign shouldn't have touched it either way

Kerry rightly left it alone. it's a distracting issue for main contenders. 527s would have been fine (there was one, but the media ignored them).

[Bridget Burke]

88. If the media had done their work...

The AWOL story would have begun haunting Chimp in 2000.

[Boosterman]

124. I agree

Rather hurt the whole cause and the media. When he accepted those documents he made every subsequent media report about any allegations about the Bush administration suspicious. I really hope he does some real investigation and has some real evidence this next time. He could really redeem himself.

[saracat]

71. My God! This is a tragedy.

Now there is no one left on a major network. I hope the Duer's who jumped Dan's case over the National Guard story and thought he was a plant by Rove are happy now. He was the last of the great journalists. There is no question he is being forced out. I absolutely hate this regime. It is now official. There is no longer any news. Period. End of story.

[Prisonerohio]

72. You got to give the Bush admin credit.

You have to give the bush administration credit with one bullet they killed so many things. They took out one of the best journalists in news today and scared the crap out of anyone who would try something like that again. They also effectively closed the book on the Bush,s military career

[YellowRubberDuckie]

74. His speech nearly made me cry.

He's not verbose, but clear, concise, meaningful. He'll be missed.
Duckie

[Hard Attack]

78. Everyone Retires.

[high density]

80. This is too bad. Dan Rather is the only anchorman I like.

I hope John Roberts doesn't replace him, because I can't stand that guy.

[medeak]

81. first CBS news director moves to CNN yesterday

and now this... very strange dynamics going on

[VegasWolf]

83. Jon Stewart will replace him!!!! n/t

[Left Brain]

87. Is this true?

Source?
or just kidding?

[VegasWolf]

89. Sorry, just kidding. n/t

[Champ]

85. What?

:wow:

[Dinger]

90. DU The CNN Poll - PLEASE

http://www.cnn.com/


Will Dan Rather's decision to step down from the anchor chair help or hurt CBS?

Help 67% 23782 votes

Hurt 33% 11619 votes


2:15 P.M. CST

[Dr Fate]

92. Great- now he can write a tell all book that will be ignored.

One more Eunuch "Liberal" heads off to pasture.

What's new?

[DWolper]

96. Aaron Brown

I have already made known my choice to replace Rather. An anchor in the mold of great CBS journalists - Aaron Brown. Brown's style as a conversation-style anchor that would, albeit slowly, draw CBS a huge audience that would respect the man's journalistic integrity. To replace him with one of these "new journalist" showboaters would be sad considering the tradition of CBS news.

[AngryOldDem]

98. I thought they were grooming John Roberts...

...the White House correspondent.

[American Tragedy]

97. Good.

I liked him better when he was sticking it to Richard Nixon. Lately he just seems wrapped in sentimentality and false patriotism.

I hope leaving this job will free him from this psychological infection that seems to have seized our country's journalists.

[Lu Kang]

102. Are you for real?

WTF?

"false patriotism" WTF do you think CNN and FAUX are all about? Or are USA flag pins on coats and a little flag animation on the bottom of the screen while fascist lies are spread to the population "real" patriotism now?

"wrapped in sentimentality" Well no shit. Aren't we all? I don't know about you, but I sure as hell wish things could be back to how they were prior to the last 4 years.

"I hope leaving this job will free him from this psychological infection that seems to have seized our country's journalists"

BAHAHAHAHA. The only REAL journalist left has a "psychological infection". This must be the new right wing spin rove has blast faxed for todays shows. I'll make sure to look for it.

[American Tragedy]

110. You have totally distorted what I said. Allow me to explain.

<<"false patriotism" WTF do you think CNN and FAUX are all about? Or are USA flag pins on coats and a little flag animation on the bottom of the screen while fascist lies are spread to the population "real" patriotism now?>>

You suggest my criticism of Rather is tantamount to praise of other media, like CNN or Fox. That is a logical fallacy; I never said that I liked either. In fact, I hate almost all of them. I am more critical of Rather because I expected better of him.


<<BAHAHAHAHA. The only REAL journalist left has a "psychological infection".>>

I said that most American journalists have a psychological infection, as many here have observed. Rather is developing it because he's overcompensating for perceived biases, by getting mushy over pictures of soldiers and talking about how much we owe them. They have all succumbed to to pressure to be as generous and lenient with the most incompetent and dangerous people ever to occupy the White House, because they're terrified of being labelled as "the liberal media", the myth perpetuated for decades by the right-wing.

I wouldn't care so much except that network anchors operate under a contrived mantle of objectivity.

I hate them all because journalists have the privilege of access to the most powerful men and women in the world, and the power to express the truth to everyone and they have fucking wasted it, to the detriment of the entire nation.

I will never forget the coverage of the rush to the Iraq war. They would be interviewing the social parasites who run our country, and commenting vapidly on the situation, and I would scream at the television. Why don't you ask Rumsfeld what he meant when he said that he knew "exactly" where the weapons were located, but couldn't reveal it to inspectors for national security reasons? Why don't you ask Bush why it is so urgent that the inspectors be removed and the invasion commence? Ask Prime Minister Blair why his government had to plagiarize of an American grad student's thesis in order to create a dossier indicting Iraq.

President Bush, why do you keep saying that Saddam threw out the inspectors when we were the ones who told them to leave?

Does it concern you that your testimonies are drawn from former prisoners and dissidents who have a vested interest in removing Hussein, not in American national security?

Why are you relying upon data that is more than a decade out of date, and precedes the Desert Storm bombings and years of sanctions?

How do you expect to take over and control an entire country filled with 100,000 troops, against hostile residents who will surely take up arms, hiding in normal buildings without uniforms to identify themselves?

Hey, President Bush, you didn't even come close to answering my question!

Where the fuck was our media?

It broke my heart and shattered my faith in any journalistic integrity forever. I can't possibly express how much it affected me.

[Baja Margie]

99. Too bad they don't replace

him with Keith Olberman. I miss Walter Cronkite.

[Lu Kang]

103. I thought this might happen

Eventually you just can't handle the BS anymore. The constant right wing attacks and being surrounded by colleagues that do nothing but put out Rove information must get damn tiresome.

[0007]

104. I hope Dan doesn't forget his roots and doesn't blow us off!

[tilsammans]

107. It was really annoying to see this . . .

When the news on the local NBC affiliate announced Dan was leaving CBS, over and over they kept mentioning that AWOL story. As if the man didn't have a distinguished and varied carrer spanning several decades!!!

I tell ya, what passes for "news" sometimes makes me wanna . . . :puke:

I'll miss Dan A LOT; he's the only one of the three network anchors I actually like. I cannot stand John Roberts, and I am hoping he's not the replacement. If he is, no more CBS Evening News for me.

Love ya, Dan! Thanks!
:yourock:

[Dover]

108. It's no secret Dan's daughter Robin is very active in Dem circles in Tx.

The Right has been after Dan for some time, and a quick google of his name will bring up a plethora of anti-Dan sites.

Remember this old 2001 story?:

Dan Rather Pulls an Al Gore
By Reed Irvine and Cliff Kincaid |

April 25, 2001 "I made an embarrassing and regrettable error in judgment by going to this event."

Several weeks ago there was a flurry over a rumor that CBS Evening News anchor Dan Rather was being replaced with Tim Russert, Washington bureau chief of NBC News and host of NBC's Sunday interview program, Meet the Press. CBS denied it. Ironically, if Rather were going to be replaced by Russert, one Democrat would be taking over for another. Russert worked for leading Democrats before going to work for NBC News. However, Russert has developed a reputation as a newsman who can be tough on both political parties, while Rather wears his pro-Democratic Party bias on his sleeve.

In a further irony, Russert has come to the rescue after Rather admitted raising funds at a Democratic Party event in Texas. "He got into trouble for trying to be a good father," Russert said, referring to the fact that Rather's daughter Robin had asked him to speak at the event. Russert added that he would probably have done the same thing if his son Luke had asked for a similar favor.

Rather's full statement was that, "I made an embarrassing and regrettable error in judgment by going to this event. It was a serious mistake, which I acknowledge. No one believes more strongly in CBS News standards than I do, and I have let those standards down." Howard Kurtz of the Washington Post, who broke the story, said Rather claimed he didn't know it was a fundraiser, but that he probably would have participated even if he had known....cont'd

http://www.aim.org/media_monitor/A1019_0_2_0_C/

[suegeo]

112. I read in a book

I read in a book that Prescott Bush (Senior, the guy who financially backed Hitler) had invested some of his war and genocide profits into CBS,(Viacom), back in the day.

If so, you could say Dan was (knowingly or not) a soldier in the Bush Crime Family.

[EndElectoral]

113. A sad day...Dan said it himself! ..no replacement named. Congrats Rove!

[0rganism]

116. Now that he's resigning, maybe he can get locate his integrity again

There's nothing praiseworthy about the consolidated corporate press. NOTHING.

The further away from the mainline journalists are, the more freedom they have to investigate and report without excessive commercially-biased filtering.

[candy331]

117. Seems he is finally getting what he dished out to Walter Kronkite

a booting out the door. I always said and believed that Cronkite was too much of a gentleman and honest man to slam Rather for his back stabbing him out of the anchor position. Kronkite has always been gracious about it but Rather knows the deal and what he did, and Rather could never rise to the integrity of Kronkite and he knows that even more so now. Seems his sentimentality of late and jumping for big story(TANG story) is all in the muse of finding a way to redeem himself before his demise.

[DWolper]

119. What?

What did Rather do to Cronkite? That's with a 'C' by the way. Rather wasn't even considered the frontrunner to replace Walter Cronkite. Everyone assumed Roger Mudd (including Roger Mudd) would get the job. Mudd ending up leaving CBS because of not getting the anchor chair.

[Ima]

120. I'd like to know also.

[Deja Q]

122. No real tinfoil here, folks. He's in his early 70s. Besides,

Whereas CBS may have had some political chicanery up their sleeve, I don't think it mattered.

Besides, why wait this long before canning him like a tuna?