Replies

A few behind the scenes notes here:

As an old CBSer, here's how to read between the lines on this.

The suits have taken over this matter. Dan is both the "star" and the managing editor of "Evening News." That's like being the quarterback and coach of an NFL team. On that NFL analogy, the owners have now taken over the decision making.

It broke on a Sunday, of course, because that's when the Suits make phone calls to announce and confirm their late Saturday - early Sunday decisions. It's the traditional "after church" phone call.

More - Burkett has painted them into a box, with all his 'Net postings. He was obviously not the direct source of the memos to CBS. They came though someone. Who at the DNC or Kerry campaign was that someone is required information in order to clear the air.

Rather is in deep do-do, internally. No one respects him after this. Even the "Young Producers" see him as in way over his head and laughable.

Will Rather survive? Certainly, unless he quits. He is the Brand. But expect to see calls to senior talent's agents as soon as today getting a firm replacement lined up as soon as possible. Dan is damaged goods, and he did it to himself.

A full, "Yes we wanted to screw Bush" apology would save him to a great degree, (In your confession, tell the public what they already know) but that is not within the realm of possibility for Mr. Rather/Nixon.

Could Dan become self-destructive. 10% chance. I'd have him watched. Again like Nixon, he's been slowly self-destructive for years. This just brought it to a head.

An ego is a horrible thing to waste.

Bottom line; Mapes is toast. She will go to work making videos for some DC-based liberal advocacy group. Rather is internal toast. Betsy West has probably lost chance to run network, but we will see. Depends how stockholders view her handling of this from this point. Big question; why wasn't she in this earlier.

Bottom line" The best tact is for Rather to fall on sword. "I'm the captain of the ship. It's my fault." The funny thing is, in the long run, it's his best move too. Remember Nixon 4.2 during the Reagan years?

Much more soon.