Dan Rather Chokes-Up After Reading Essay on Reagan

CBS News | 6/6/04

[My Dog Likes Me]

Essay by Dan Rather, read at the very end of a CBS News special report, on the evening of June 5, 2004.

--- "President Reagan led the West in a decisive hour of a long battle for the survival of Western culture, Western ideas and ideals.

He was a son of the West. Born in the American Mid-West, he grew to full manhood and died in its far West. All of his life, he favored the West Wind.

He dressed the part, acted it, spoke it, and lived it. The Reagan presidency began on the front steps of the Capitol. His inaugural ceremony the first in history facing West, toward the Mall and its monuments.

His letter of November 5, 1994, announcing his Alzheimers, poignant, yet devoid of self-pity, tells us he was once again looking West. But, Ronald Wilson Reagan also could not resist one more look back over his shoulder.

He now makes his final ride, confident in the knowledge that, as he wrote, "For America, there will always be a bright dawn ahead."

May we share his optimism. And may his steed hold steady as he completes his journey. We will think of him always, when the West Wind blows." -----

[My Dog Likes Me]

Rather choked-up at the end of the last sentence, then collected himself for a couple seconds, and with watery eyes signed off.

I know most of you don't care for Rather, but his essay was beautiful and his reaction genuine.

He had the entire week off, so it surprised me when I saw him pop up today at all.

[Bogey78O]

Rather seems to cry at certain emotional moments. Doesnt stop him from pushing the Dem line and shaking Saddam's hand.

[Roberts]

I've yet to read of anyone that knew Mr. Reagan personally who disliked him.

[Registered]

Rather is simply searching for his "Cronkite" moment. You know, something that the future news anchors can play over and over again when Rather is being remembered, like Cronkite announcing JFK's death.

[Lijahsbubbe]

Rather cries alot. I think he may be depressed or something. He looks like he could be. (armchair psychiatry) At any rate, when he does cry, I think it's all about him.

[Trinity_Tx]

Color me jaded (to the highest saturation ;-] ), but... I think you nailed it.

[I got the rope]

I despise Rather...he should retire now. At least he'll go out with some class.

[DoughtyOne]

For professionals, I am underimpressed by Rather, Jennings and Brokaw. I don't think they see themselves as we do. I think they travel in rarified circules that leaves them with the impression that they reflect what America is. In reality, those folks have no connection to reality.

They trounce our values. They belittle our heros. They essentially aid and abet the enemies of our nation, or ideals and our citizens. Oblivious, they move ever forward toward a socialist ideal.

Perhaps this a-hole did mean it when his eyes glazed over. Perhaps for one brief moment he did realize what a sad day this was. None the less, for the remainder of the week he'll talk about Iran Contra and exclaim how much Reagan and Clinton's presidencies were alike, each enduring their own scandles.

Reagan's scandle was that he tried to free up one nation from communism, and protect another from communism, both major insults to the socialist left amongst us. Clinton's scandle was that he couldn't get enough ass unless he was where he should have been, in the family quarters. No Dan, these administrations WERE NOT ALIKE.

God how I detest Rather and the remaining two of the socialist triplets that round out the major networks evening news offering.

[The Scourge of Yazid]

See, I'd usually seize this opportunity to assume one of my multiple personalities (in this case, that of knee-jerk liberal, bi-polar cracker with a contrived Southern twang), but seeing as how he went out of his way to deliver a touching tribute to the dear, departed President Reagan, I'll beg off.

Congratulations Dan!

You are a most brave mujahid!

Good form chap!

[DoughtyOne]

Correction:

Clinton's scandle was that he couldn't get enough ass WHEN he was where he should have been, in the family quarters.

[Dr. Eckleburg]

"We will think of him always, when the West Wind blows..."

A beautiful line, but Rather is a phony jerk who puddles up so frequently because he's contemplating his own sayonara.

They're all copy-readers, and none of them is genuine.

[Howlin]

Rather is simply searching for his "Cronkite" moment.

Ab-so-damn-lutely.

I've had a GUT FULL of these people who trashed Reagan for years trying to jump out in front of the parade today.

Starting with Bill Schneider.

[Salamander]

The Irish have a thing about "the west".
It's part of the folklore that's in our blood.

[he's finally gone "into the west" and is in Tir na'Nog by now]....:)

[Salamander]

"something that the future news anchors can play over and over again when Rather is being remembered"

"What's the frequency, Kenneth?" isn't enough?

[isthisnickcool]

Did you notice that at the very end Rather stuck his tongue into his cheek? Really hard! I took it that Rather was putting on a big act as he was reading copy what was likely written ages ago in the event of Reagans death.

I saw him do the thing with his mouth at the end and it was very odd.

[Sabertooth]

I've yet to read of anyone that knew Mr. Reagan personally who disliked him.

Likewise, and there's a reason for that.

[Salamander]

He was trying to dampen the transmissions that emanate from his fillings.

[teletech]

Rather choked-up at the end of the last sentence, then collected himself for a couple seconds, and with watery eyes signed off.

I know most of you don't care for Rather, but his essay was beautiful and his reaction genuine.

He had the entire week off, so it surprised me when I saw him pop up today at all.

Rather is as phony as a 3 dollar bill. He HATES Republicans, ALL REPUBLICANS!

[dandi]

I don't personally care for Mr. Blather either, but I relish the thought of all his commie-lib devotees grinding their teeth when he said that. HAW

[Sabertooth]

"Rather is simply searching for his "Cronkite" moment. You know, something that the future news anchors can play over and over again when Rather is being remembered, like Cronkite announcing JFK's death."

IIRC, Rather was the anchor at a CBS affiliate in Dallas when Kennedy was assassinated. He broke the news, it was his big break.

If we're going to criticize media folks who take cheap shots at President Reagan, especially now, let's at least give the benefit of the doubt to those who are trying to be respectful. I didn't see this spot by Dan Rather, but I think President Reagan would have taken it at face value. To do less diminishes us, not Rather.

I was waiting for the Belmont to come on NBC this afternoon when Brian Williams broke into regular programming to announce President Reagan's passing. He was very respectful, and gave the President credit for playing a major role in defeating the Soviet Union, winning the Cold War, and bringing down the Berlin Wall.

There's been light in surprising places. Enjoy it.