Why the right absolutely needs Dan Rather for its adrenaline and survival (BLAMES VRWC & FR)

Chicago Tribune ^ | September 22, 2004 | Clarence the Crosseyed Page

[Chi-townChief]

WASHINGTON -- A right-wing radio talk show host reminiscing about the old days in filmmaker John Sayles' new movie, "Silver City," rails against Jane Fonda for a moment, then pauses to admit, "Gawd, how I miss her!"

That's how I figure a lot of right-wingers feel about CBS anchor Dan Rather, now that he has admitted, after two stormy weeks, that his network could not authenticate four documents that it used to raise new questions about President Bush's Air National Guard service.

A lot of Rather's critics on the right say they want him to go, but they really want him to stay. Every movement must have its enemies, real or imagined, to rally against and to galvanize its ranks. Ever since Rather answered a snippy remark from President Richard Nixon (now there's a heckuva hero to have!) with a snippy remark of his own back during the Watergate era, the right has been gunning for Rather.

A right-wing Rather-bashing industry has grown up since then, ranging from the blog site RatherBiased.com to former CBS newsman Bernard Goldberg's book, "Bias: A CBS Insider Exposes How the Media Distort the News," which is largely a recounting of how much Rather and Goldberg disagreed on how the news should be covered.

[Chi-townChief]

Clarence certainly isn't too happy with FreeRepublic and would like to shoot the messenger.

[VRWCmember]

Oh he is so right. Woe is me if they get rid of Dan Rather. Then there would be no partisan liberal hacks in the mainstream media for us to complain about.

< / sarcasm>

[The Ghost of FReepers Past]

Ah, don't worry about. He looks foolish attaching himself to Rather.

[Steely Tom]

to former CBS newsman Bernard Goldberg's book, "Bias: A CBS Insider Exposes How the Media Distort the News," which is largely a recounting of how much Rather and Goldberg disagreed on how the news should be covered.

to former CBS newsman William Shirer's book "The Rise and Fall of the Third Reich," which is largely a recounting of how much Hitler and Roosevelt disagreed on methods for keeping the trains running on schedule.

(steely)

[WorkingClassFilth]

This is exactly what they said about Limbaugh when krinton left the White House.

They was wrong.

There are more than enough juicy Leftist targets to last for a generation or more. Not to mention that fact that we have a nation to repair once the RAT feces are washed away.

[Nonstatist]

A lot of Rather's critics on the right say they want him to go, but they really want him to stay

No, they don't. Theres always the possibility CBS will replace him with something more "balanced". Besides, whoever they replace him with cant be much worse.

[The Real Eddie01]

Is this story attempting to divert attention away from the facts. Huh? Why would they do that? (rhetorical)

[Grampa Dave]

I hope that Viacom allows its rabid pit bulls, its on crack c BS NotNews division to continue to lie and deny.

This has to be helping GW.

After GW hammers Kerry, then Viacom can retire/fire everyone in their various NotNews divisions and cancel all of their programs. Then they can have some phoney reality show instead for their advertisers.

Clarence should do an expose oped about a major newspaper corporation which commits daily acts of fraud on its advertisers by lying about the paid subscribers for its various fishwraps across America.

[EagleUSA]

I would agree too that we have more than an ample supply of frothing leftist media icons to keep setting a good reference point for the world !!! Way too many.

[CROSSHIGHWAYMAN]

Clarence seems a bit jealous.

Don't worry Page, we're watching you too!

[Faraday]

A lot of Rather's critics on the right say they want him to go, but they really want him to stay.

Nope. Once Rather is gone, it'll be time to move on to Peter Jennings. But don't worry Clarence we won't get to you for quite some times. Besides the media need a few court jesters.

[Dallas59]

[billhilly]

Here's some news for Clarence Page. He get's something right in his haruange against rightwingers. We are right. Right?

[Congressman Billybob]

Clarence Page is as politically bigoted as Dan Rather. However, Page is such a nothing in the media scheme of things that he's not worth the energy to attack. Plus his bigotry is so clumsy and obvious that he brings himself down; we don't have to do the job.

There are plenty of people who are high enough and slick enough to be dangerous to truth. Katie Couric comes to mind for some reason. I think Page is envious of the attention that Rather is getting, that Page will never get.

Congressman Billybob

Latest column, "The Manifesto of Pukin Dog"

If you haven't already joined the anti-CFR effort, please click here.

[Alex Murphy]

Hey, "right-wing" talk radio survived the loss of Surgeon General Joycelyn Elders. I think Rather's departure won't be as big a loss.

[claudiustg]

We can do without Rather. There's never been a shortage of idiots in this country.

[Rennes Templar]

I get sick of the use of the term "right-winger", when so many of the dems are left-wingers but we never hear that used.

[EdReform]

Bump!

BTW, do we have an account name and password for chicagotribune.com? I'd like to read the article, but I don't want to register.

[Mister Baredog]

Now thete's an impressive array of flannel prints. I wonder how much impact this will have on the fashion world. LOL.

Looks like a "dangerous" bunch to me.