He'd Rather Be Edward R. Murrow

The Times delivers a poignant look at Dan Rather's sunset:

The 74-year-old man with the Mets cap pulled far down on his forehead slid into a booth at a diner on the Upper East Side of Manhattan and ordered a glass of milk without so much as turning a head — so quietly, in fact, that it was hard to believe it was Dan Rather.

In place of the swagger that had served him so well throughout his 44-year career at CBS News was an obvious sadness that his tenure at the network was ticking down to an inglorious end. Mr. Rather complained that since stepping down as anchor of the " CBS Evening News" last year, in the aftermath of a reporting scandal, he had been ill used as a correspondent on "60 Minutes" and had been given virtually nothing at all to do for the previous six weeks.

Among the places he had sought solace, he said on a recent afternoon, was in "Good Night, and Good Luck," George Clooney's homage to Edward R. Murrow and the CBS News of old, a film that Mr. Rather said he had seen five times in theaters, most recently alone.

They describe his possible next venture in Hi-Def cable with Mark Cuban, and then give us this:

Mr. Rather also said that in April, in anticipation of what seemed to be his imminent departure from CBS, he had formed a company — he named it News and Guts, in a nod to what he considers the pillars of his professional life — through which he plans to create several other journalism ventures, including, perhaps, a blog. (Though he has not yet settled on a title, he says he has ruled out one: "I'd Rather Say This.")

Still under consideration: "I'd Rather Be In Philadelphia".

Or not.

Here is what the Times tells us about Dan's career-ending belly flop, starting with the sixteenth paragraph:

In those comments, and others, Mr. Rather was referring, however obliquely, to his displeasure with the leadership of CBS. He appeared, for example, to fault the network for eventually withdrawing its support for the "60 Minutes II" report that would, in turn, unravel his career. In the segment, he had sought to raise new questions about President Bush's Vietnam-era National Guard service, using memorandums that the network, and later a panel of outside investigators, said they could not authenticate.

...Asked if the network had sought to marginalize him over his role in the disputed Guard report — including his spirited defense of the segment, for more than a week after it was broadcast — Mr. Rather said, "There's a lot I have yet to figure out."

"Sought to raise questions".  Whatever.  Here is an old WaPo piece, and I had some useless fun here.  If someone recalls a great round-up of the RatherGate debacle (probably at Powerline), that would be a big help.

MORE:  Kevin Drum, who landed his gig at the Washington Monthly in part because of his own Bush AWOL research, was not kind to Old Dan.  Nor was Clarice Feldman.

The Weekly Standard has some background as well.

Comments

[Other Tom]

Make no mistake, folks, he's going out in disgrace and he knows it. So does everyone else. His partisan bias and zealotry clouded his judgment and brought him low, as surely as Watergate brought Nixon low. He is a dishonest and somewhat foolish man, and the manner of his leaving is cause for great celebration.

[Dwilkers]

At this point the only interesting thing about Rather is that he and his former colleagues broadly in the media still do not understand, or claim to not understand, that what he did was wrong and that the docs were a fraud.

That is some seriously powerful denial and detachment from reality.

[Charlie (Colorado)]

This is what the Japanese call "getting a window seat." They don't fire him, just give him a job where he has to sit and look out a window because there's nothing to do.

[clarice]

I wrote this about the report released at the end of the internal CBS investigation--I'm prejudiced, but I don't think anyone else did a better sum up of what the netwrk's own investigation showed about this fraud.

http://www.americanthinker.com/articles.php?article_id=4170

[Jimmy's Attack Rabbit]

I still haven't watched CBS since Memogate, (football excluded of course).

[richard mcenroe]

Captain's Quarters was the go-to place for me during Rathergate. Excellent coverage there.

[richard mcenroe]

Does the image of Dan Rather sitting alone by himeself in a grubby NY movie theatre, watching an homage to the days when reporters could get away with crap like his, give anyone else a little tingle of schadenfreude?

[Carol Herman]

"Courage," putz.

Nah. I don't hate to see him go. I'm just sorry it took so long; and he's still allowed to hang onto his disgrace. Probably makes Nixon's ghost, laugh, though?

[clarice]

LGF,FR and Captain's Quarters best covered the minute by inute unraveling of the TANG memo story iteself..IMO..and, man, that was exciting to watch..

[Other Tom]

One thing that has always struck me about broadcast journalists is that they are constantly yearning for some long lost Golden Age, usually personified by Edward R. Murrow. The underlying theme seems to be that, Brother, back in the good old days broadcast journos were absolute colossi. What are they so nostalgic about? Granted, Murrow did some marvelous live reporting from London during the blitz, but that about wraps it up. To watch some of his stuff nowadays is simply embarrassing, like his White House tour with Jackie Kennedy. Dan Rather's image of himself as some sort of throwback to this mythical Golden Age is nothing less than pathetic.

[clarice]

Yes, it is..reminds me of "Oh would some gift, the giftie gie us..."

They are like US Senators--pampered, cosseted, overpaid and out of touch...

[Patrick R. Sullivan]

I think we have a name for Dan's blog:

"There's a lot I have yet to figure out."

[Merowe]

Dan just needs to allow free comments. MSM does'nt and neither do those blogs.

[Rick Ballard]

The comforting thought to take from this is that no one in the world gives a damn who takes Comrade Uncle Walty's replacement's place.

There was a time when it might have meant something of importance but that time has passed.

Thanks should be given.

[clarice]

You don't believe Moonvies (sp?) that Couric has already earned her ($15 million) salary?

Isn't it amazing how the dopes have ruined network news and Hollywood in a single generation?

[richard mcenroe]

He'd rather be Edward R. Murrow... but he makes a GREAT Ted Baxter...

[clarice]

Bravo,RM! The best comment of all.

[Barney Frank]

Mark Cuban has always made me queasy with his insufferable mouth and infantile behavior.
Lately I notice he's supporting liberal causes, which I assume he has all along.

A loud mouth, infantile, jack ass, capitalist pig who turns out to be a liberal.
Wow what a surprise. Who'd a thunk it?

[vnjagvet]

It is sad to see a 74 year old man clinging so hard to yesterday when the only way he will long survive is to enjoy today.

Yesterday will not be around either today tomorrow, and Network News will never be as influential as it was during his youth.

And the medium that we are working in now, the giant killer that was his undoing, did not come into play until Dan was middle-aged.

At least he is a healthy, wealthy, famous man.

Time to enjoy yourself, Dan. Don't take it personally.

[Bruce Hayden]

I don't really have a lot of sympathy for the guy. He tried to swing the 2004 election on multiple occasions (abu Ghraib, RatherGate, missing explosives) by abusing the trust built up with the American people over a half a century for broadcast journalism in general, and CBS in particular.

In short, he got caught cheating, at a game where cheating could have, and maybe almost did have, major impacts on this country's security. By this cheating, he was trying his hardest to put someone in the White House who doesn't have the temperment or the training to fight the War on Terrorism and to win.

So, no, I don't feel bad about his slow slid into oblivion. If anything, I think that he doesn't deserve even that.

[Carol Herman]

Clarice, that's a winnah! The dopes did indeed ruin hollyweird and the MSM, believing they could be the gatekeepers of talent.

Well, that's why nepotism doesn't work.

Should'a been nipped in the bud.

[Carol Herman]

Ya know, there's a lesson out there if you scratch back the time line. H.L. MENCKEN.

He once had a stellar reputation. And, took his poison pen in hand to lambast FDR.

FDR, meanwhile, never put anything in writing.

Guess whose won the contest, there?

[Bob]

Sorry RM and clarice, but I have way more respect for Ted Baxter... he at least made me laugh and you could have at least some empathy for the guy... he never hurt anyone either.

Rather, on the other hand, was a manipulative F*ck, whose forged but accurate documents, will always be his "Monica's blue dress"... what they now call the "throbbing memo".

[maryrose]

Rather always flirted with going over the line with first Nixon and then George Bush the 1st. This guard story was over the line and he forgot to double-check his source material because he wanted the story SOOO bad! He lost his objective edge there and it cost him his career. He also trusted Mary Mapes and didn't realize her ABSOLUTE OBSESSION with the story. Had he been more aware I think he would have been more cautious. But the thought of turning over a presidency and being a kingmaker for John Kerry was just too tempting. The bigger they are the harder they fall.... His was a huge drop that left him stunned as to what had happened to him.

[Carol Herman]

Well, TED BAXTER was, in fact, a real dummy. While Dan RaTHer only plays dumb when he wants to.

It's part of the PC life. Where a poker face representing stupidity is played like a BLUFF. So that no other work needs to be done.

Dan did plenty of harm when he had that mike up against Nixon. And, he's falling harder than old "stonewall" himself. At least there are positive things in Nixon's record. And, his WaterGate horror was built on a sham. Where the FBI was the "finger."

Wonder if "Lucy Ramirez" has a birth certificate registered within the CIA? Or FBI? But we will never know. UNreporting has become such an MSM habit.

I still say Bob Woodward needs to come clean on what he really knows about what's behind the MSM efforts to make Americans believe we shouldn't have faith in Republican Presidents.

The story hasn't folded.

[mark c.]

name for Rather's new website "This Blog Won't Hunt".

[JM Hanes]

ROTFL!

[Semanticleo]

The word 'gloat' seems synonymous with the right wing. I think they would have more compassion for an aging Heavyweight boxer or NBA star past prime, who returns in one last grasp at forgone glory, then tanks as befits his physical condition. Such ones tend to be remembered more for their final appearance, like a houseguest who stays a couple days too long, than they do for the history of greatness they have amassed.

Dan Rather was a superb reporter, but a lousy anchor who tried to return to his craft, then promptly forgot what he knew about journalism.

Say what you will with all the venal and vile hatred you can muster, that the evil MSM is the primary ventricle for all the world's ills, but it is these people who have kept watch over the Powerful, and kept them moderately in check so that the profligate whores cannot run riot with more
temerity than they already do.

[Rick Ballard]

"but it is these people who have kept watch over the Powerful"

Yeah, look at how closely they've followed the Oil For Food scandal and Saddam's purchase of two security council members votes.

It's a shame that refills aren't available for brainpans.

[maryrose]

cleo;
"profligate whores cannot run riot"
You are insulting the second oldest profession with that remark and it is disrespectful to boot. Though it does seem to describe Val and Joe to a tee.

[Semanticleo]

Rick;

You mean what have they done lately?

Not much. I'm talking about the history of the press.

[mark c.]

I think 'leo misses the point. I would love to not have to go online to get both sides of the story. hell, i'd accept having my source acknowledge that i just heard one side of the story. He should rejoice in the fact that from now on, politicians (and media)are going to have to be honest or they will be exposed by the nutroots or wingnuts, pronto.

[Mike Myers]

Things haven't changed much now that Dan has gone; I watched CBS newsreader (a pretty one of the female persuasion--but hardly a journalist) tonight, asking some of the most inane questions I've ever heard concerning the capture of two American servicement in Iraq today. It's pretty clear that the elevator doesn't go all the way to the mezzanine with her, but CBS puts her out there front and center for all the US to see. They just don't give a darn--put out whatever slop fills the half hour and they're good to go. I didn't bother with the rest of the half hour, and won't bother again.

[brenda taylor]

i am delighted to see dan in the shape he put his self in .look how many people he humiated what goes arond comes around. didnt happen soon enough.

[Semanticleo]

'and it is disrespectful to boot.'

In connection with the Legislative and Executive (Maybe the Judicial, as well)
it would be oxymoronic to use the term
'respectful'.

[maryrose]

MSM;
Has earned the title-not to be trusted. Lokk at how they muffed{no offense to Sue's earmuffs which still remain "hot"} the Katrina coverage with actual lies being reported. They also buried the story that the same Wm Jefferson of La. or as he more affectionately known "COLD CASH" ordered a coast guard chopper to take him to his home so he could get stuff while the rescue operation was at its peak. For stealing and holding up rescue operations he should be ejected from the House. As it is he was voted out and had to be removed kicking and screaming.

[Robin Roberts]

There should be no respect for Dan Rather, he knowingly attempted to influence a national election with fraudulent documents and got caught.

Frankly, I think he and Mapes should have been prosecuted.

[Old newsman]

"The word 'gloat' seems synonymous with the right wing."

Winners gloat. Losers whine.

"I think they would have more compassion for an aging Heavyweight boxer or NBA star past prime, who returns in one last grasp at forgone glory, then tanks as befits his physical condition."

Aging sports stars play fair. Dan Rather didn't. He mistook reporting the story for being the story, tried to bring down a presidency with false documents, got caught, and refuses to believe he did anything wrong.

"Say what you will with all the venal and vile hatred you can muster, that the evil MSM is the primary ventricle for all the world's ills ..."

Ventricle? They certainly carry water for Hamas, Jihidis and the Democrats.

".... but it is these people who have kept watch over the Powerful, and kept them moderately in check ..."

That's the dream. "Comfort the afflicted and afflict the comfortable." Too bad it's the other way around these days.

[maryrose]

cleo:
If you can't muster any respect for even our Judiciary system you should try living in Castro's Cuban dictatorship. Now there's a fun place. Too bad Elian Gonzalez is doomed to spend his life there. After Castro dies I hope Elian emigrates.

[Rich]

"Dan Rather was a superb reporter..." ???

Yeah, like William Shatner is a superb actor!

At least Shatner is entertaining.

[Tom Maguire]

Since Semanticleo is back in full swing, I wonder why he/she won't answer a seemingly simple question from an earlier thread - after all his/her whining about the comment policy here, and at righty sites generally, I never did get a reaction to the "policy" at Mahablog, which (as it related to me, anyway) was "ban anyone winning an argument".

Maybe Semanticleo is really SemanticDuck.

[Carol Herman]

Nope. Dan RaTHer sat on his stool and read the teleprompter. Before he sat in his chair, he spent two hours in make-up, getting his hair fluffed. Not exactly great reporting, all all. EVER!

Talking heads.

Now he wants to blog. Well, someone's already laid claim to his calling it "this blog won't hunt." He can also call it "Nixon's mirror," for all I care.

Tuned that putz out long ago.

[red]

"Say what you will with all the venal and vile hatred you can muster, that the evil MSM is the primary ventricle for all the world's ills ..."

Say what you will with all the delusions of grandeur you can muster, the evil MSM is the large bowel causing or complicit in many of the world's ills.

No coverage of Darfur - check
Distorted coverage of Iraq - check
Carrying water for the DNC - check
Obscuring the muslim involvement in Paris riots - check
Cheerleading for the Mexican/Aztlan/Mecha marches - check

I will long remember the thought of Big Dan watching "Good Night and Good Luck" alone in a movie theater, sort of like Pee Wee Herman or Howard Hughes.

[windansea]

rathergate.com by Mike Krempasky was my go to source

[Bob]

It ain't a matter of Semantics Leo... the guy's a phony period.

leo wrote:

"Dan Rather was a superb reporter, but a lousy anchor who tried to return to his craft, then promptly forgot what he knew about journalism."

Sorry bub... but Rather claims that lying is acceptable behavior, even for a President, so there's no doubt he feels he can lie as well... pure arrogance in my book.

From the O'Reilly Factor May 15,2001

O'REILLY: No. How can you say he's (Clinton) is an honest guy then?

RATHER: Well, cause I think he is. I think at core he's an honest person. I know that you have a different view. I know that you consider it sort of astonishing that anybody would say so. But I think you can be an honest person and lie about any number of things.

Now read the whole interview and then tell me he's not the biggest POS going.

O'Reilly Factor

[Marko]

Say what you will with all the venal and vile hatred you can muster, that the evil MSM is the primary ventricle for all the world's ills ...

I think he meant to say that the evil MSM is the LEFT ventricle.

[Semanticleo]

Maguire;

You seem to be grwoing increasingly bitter for someone who is 'all about winning'.

Why should I answer simple or complex questions originating from your narrow perspective? Like Reynolds, you prefer the safety of your own insular universe and venture out of your badger den only when it suits you, like when you can proffer words that require response from me, yet have no personal integrity to insist the same of self.

[Semanticleo]

Maryrose;

I have reverential respect for the system, it's the current occupants I have trouble with.

[richard mcenroe]

"but it is these people who have kept watch over the Powerful"

Oh, horse droppings. Can we PLEASE get over this fairy tale of the "press" as the crusader for justice?

The press, the Anglo-American press in particular, was born in bile, partisanship and prejudice and promises to end its days the same way. Read the papers from Jefferson's day, read the New York and Chicago press during the Civil War. And today's journalists are embracing all the old vices: the NY Times still proudly displays its Pulitzer for the blatantly false reporting by Duranty on Stalin's starvation of the Ukraine (a time-honored journalistic tactic known as trading truth for 'access'). the LA Times happily forgets to tell its readers it's in bed with developers on major constuction deals, and bares its hindquarters to LA's civil service unions and race-pimps to ignore the way King-Drew Medical was killing poor patients of color for over ten years, before government action finally forced its typing hand.
And the Boston Globe, that paper of record, that actually wrote with a straight face that if Mary Jo Kopechne were still alive today, she'd support Ted Kennedy's stand on health care for the elderly.

Please. The modern media have all the moral authority of a pedophile priest.

[Charlie (Colorado)]

Not much. I'm talking about the history of the press.

You're picking and choosing the history of the press. For every Tammany Hall, there was a Daley Machine, or a Prendergast Machine, or the Chicago Trib in WWII --- or the NY Times today.