.
Posted on 09/19/2004 7:55:54 AM PDT by kattracks
It's the last stand of Gunga Dan. But like other messianic types - George Custer comes to mind - Dan Rather is not going down alone. He seems hellbent on taking CBS News with him and damaging the press everywhere.Memogate is now Rathergate. Journalists not yet born will one day hear the story of how the highest flyer in TV news flamed out while chasing a "gotcha" story.
Rather, 72, always saw himself as a role model for journalists. But instead of being Revered Elder Statesman, he's sealing his fate as Exhibit A on how not to handle a hot story and the fallout. How sad. Suicide always is, even the professional kind.
The man who succeeded Uncle Walter Cronkite in 1981 is wound tighter than a tick in a yo-yo, but Rather's oddball quirks have peacefully coexisted with his talent.
He's got train-wreck charisma, zanily captured by the stranger who pummeled him, demanding, "What's the frequency, Kenneth?" But there was principle, too, and Rather often used it to stand up for news values in a business dominated by cheap entertainment tricks.
That's what makes his performance on the Bush National Guard story such a personal disaster. But that's his problem. Ours is making sure we learn the dangers of burning too hot for a story in an election where the media's credibility is taking a beating.
CBS' document mess is the biggest whopper of them all, for Rather was the Pied Piper for a long list of press followers. More than 50 newspapers across the U.S., including The New York Times and the Daily News, published articles citing the now-questionable CBS documents as proof Bush got favored treatment 30 years ago.
That total counts just Sept. 9, the day after Rather's initial report on "60 Minutes." CBS touted the show in a press release on Sept. 8 and posted the memos on its Web site.
The "scoop" was huge, and so is the stain, which is why Rather has an obligation to stop defending the indefensible. Here are the three blunders he and CBS made:
- They never should have gone with the story in the first place. Since it aired, three of the "experts" the network said authenticated the documents have cast doubts on them. Two said they warned CBS it needed more proof.
- When questions surfaced, CBS first trotted out the tired "we stand by our story" defense while desperately searching for people who would back it up. Rather and network flacks are still making the astonishing claim that the "heart" of the story is true even if the documents are fake. Yeah, the operation was a success, but the patient died.
- The third blunder is Rather's alone, and it is the most shameful. In interviews, he has sounded like a crooked pol caught with his hand in the cookie jar. He told The Wall Street Journal that critics are "raising questions about the documents because they can't deny the fundamental truths of the analysis."
To The Washington Post, he played macho man: "I don't cave when the pressure gets too great from these partisan political ideological forces."
Such comments are unforgivable smears. As Bernard Goldberg, a former CBS correspondent and now critic, put it, "Dan Rather is acting like Richard Nixon."
As legacies go, that's not one Rather wanted. But he's earned it.
Originally published on September 19, 2004
bumparoo.
'Rathergate' works. . .duped not; and for sure.
One of the best commentaries I've read, short and succinct. Thanks for posting it, kat. BTTT
Go, Dan, Go! Continue to stonewall!
Take down the credibility of CBS.
Take yourself out of the picture. Make other MSM's political bent suspect.
And most importantly, when you have to reveal your sources (and you will have to if these are proven to be forgeries, protecting illegitimate sources is not a guaranteed right of the press)...take the DNC, Cleland, and the Kerry campaign with you!
Rather enjoyed playing a journalist.
...just..
..go.
Thesaddest part is hat even if Bush did get favored treatment 30 years ago, what difference does it make?
Didnt Jesse Jackson get favored treatment because his Daddy was Jesse Sr? Didnt Al Gore get elected Senator because his daddy was one? Dont half the actors in Hollywood put their kids to work in the industry?Isnt John Kerry a trust fund Kid? Didnt Teddy Kennedy stay out of jail because of his name.
Fact is the story wasnt anything more than a bunch of crap to begin with, and Dan Rather hates Bush so bad he drove himself to this suicidal attack.
Personally I think we are better off without Dan Rather and his ilk who think they decide what is best for Americans and slant their news stories toward that end.
CBS news has consistantly had the lowest rating of all the networks..That means Dan Rather!
Highest flyer in TV news my rump!
Breaking into RAT headquarters and covering it up afterwards was Watergate...except for getting Nixon, of course, the not so secret aim of RAT high dudgeon of the time. People went to jail after exhaustive and hysterical congressional hearings. Conspiracy to commit fraud and forging federal documents with the aim of influencing the outcome of the Presidential election to bring down down a sitting President seems to warrant at least similar investigation and punishment for the guilty.
Excellent piece. Just saw on FOX NEWS several reporters trying to interview Mr. Rather as he arrived at the airport in Dallas. His smug demeanor was apparent as he made some snide remarks about FOX. It's chilling really- to watch this near psychotic meltdown.
.
I'm not a journalist, but I play one on TV.
I'm hearing about an unholy trio, Rather, Mapes, and the CBS News CEO. All of them seem politically committed to destroying Bush. Now they seem committed to destroying CBS in order to save Kerry.
One night I blogged Dan Rather in my pajamas. How he got in my pajamas, I don't know.
When hate looms larger in one's psyche; than a respect for truth; yes. . .there is a spiritual 'suicide'; and that is sad.
Given Rather's hate-filled intentions, however; there is nothing sad about his aim; a misguided sleight-of-hand - back on himself.
"One night I blogged Dan Rather in my pajamas. How he got in my pajamas, I don't know." LOL and a 'Groucho' bump!
Perhaps I should lighten up on ol' Uncle Dan. He just might be the POS that breaks the donkey's back. Max Cleland's direct involvement, sweet! Its time to pour out the bucket of worms. Who has allowed the institution of the mid-twentieth century communist goals. When Sen. McCarthy was pursuing communists he was not chasing ghosts. They infiltrated us, everyplace where they could degrade our system. The only way we can avoid rebolucion is to clean up the system by castrating the democratic party. Throw all the liars, frauds, cheats, traitors and commies out. Then perhaps their filthy party can be replaced with a viable, and honest, opposition.
Dan rather is not a journalist, but he did stay at a Holiday Inn last night!
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.