Posted on 09/14/2004 6:16:18 AM PDT by kattracks
Publicly Dan Rather's CBS colleagues are putting up a brave front as the disgraced newsman desperately tried again last night to defend himself against charges he used forged documents in a bid to discredit President Bush's military record.
But at CBS headquarters in New York the anxiety level has hit the red zone, with even Rather's allies saying they're dazed and confused over his shaky performance. "I'm distressed," one longtime CBS correspondent, who asked not to be identified, told the New York Times.
Another network source described the atmosphere at Black Rock as one of "deep concern."
"I'd say [it's] not panic," he quickly added. "We all want it to be right. Dan really put himself on the line and I can't imagine him knowingly defending something he knew not to be the case."
Another CBS source said there was increasing nervousness over the star anchorman's decision to stonewall on an independent investigation into his dubious Guard report.
"I've talked to colleagues who would love to see more of a defense," he told the Times.
Even Rather's longtime "60 Minutes" colleague, Mike Wallace, found it hard to defend his embattled co-worker.
"I'm confused by some of what I've heard today," he offered, before insisting that if Rather's documents were indeed forged, it was an innocent mistake.
"You're dealing with genuine professionals. The last thing in the world that any of these people would want is to phony something," he told the Times.
Licorice: My hammies sent Dan Rather a key pried from my savior's
keyboard to help him out.".
Rush said he was due to retire next spring.
Are you implying anything by this comment? LOL
Now the question becomes, are these 'collegues' also die hard liberal lefties trying to preserve their podium to preach from, or are they honestly decieved about Defraudin' Dan? My money is on the former. If it is the latter, we will see very dramatic changes in the aftermath. My prediction is that we won't...we'll see more stonewalling. My guess is that even Defraudin' Dan survives this. And if nothing else, you won't see a dramatic realignment at CBS.
Even if there is, there is a dearth of highly placed moderates in media. Almost anyone who could step into the anchor seat would also be a radical liberal. Just about the only really good hope I could see is John Stossel. But they would never go for it. But if they did...they would see CBS News blossom beautifully.
At least the memos are on real paper. I bet the paper is 6 months to 1 year old!
Tick. Tick. Tick. I hear the clock. I don't hear correction.. Tick. Tick. Tick
That's just pitiful.
Maybe O'Rilley will invite him on the factor and ask him some softball questions....
Why should CBS manangement get off the hook. If Rather goes down, the CEO should go down as well for keeping Rather on too long. Frankly President Bush should own the network after he gets out of office for the slanderous lies they've put out.
Yes, I'm sure they're PO'd. Not because he lied, but because he got caught lying. Even worse, he gave conservatives a word that's hard for the "professionals" in the MSM to laugh off, deny, and ignore: forgery.
Oh man, could it GET any funnier?!?!
What we've got here is a failure to understand that we're dealing with genuine professionals.
"You're dealing with genuine professionals. The last thing in the world that any of these people would want is to phony something," he told the Times.
OH, PLEASE!!!!!!!!!!!! Take a look at his history. It's just that Free Republic didn't exist when he was making his reputation.
The continuing saga of Richard Milhous Rather - What did he know and when did he know it?
Sell Mortimer, sell!
Maybe you just don't know him as well as the rest of us do!
My bet is that they plan on doing nothing about it. They've done worse. Rather has done worse. The only way that they will do anything is if the daily embarrassment becomes to much.
I hate to say it, but that will come via the late night comics, not the MSM.
Rather will hang on through the election, I bet. 2005 may see a new anchor on See BS Evening News, you think?
No Mike, the last thing in the world you, Rather and the rest, would want, is to be caught rigging the news. Rather has been caught.
My opinion? Dan Rather has his back against the wall because he knows the memos are forgeries. I believe he was working with someone from the kerry campaign (Corporal Cueball, perhaps???) or the DNC (could you imagine Terry Mcauliffe, perhaps???) to damage GWB. My opinion is Rather is personally involved in a conspiracy to influence the outcome of the 2004 US Presidential election.
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