CBS' Rather Lands Saddam Interview (Ramsy Clark put in a good word. Really)

Highmark Funds ^ | Feb. 24, 2003 | DAVID BAUDER

[FairOpinion]

NEW YORK, Feb 24, 2003 (AP Online via COMTEX) -- CBS News' Dan Rather said hard work and luck helped him land his interview with Saddam Hussein on Monday - the Iraqi leader's first interview with a foreign television journalist in 12 years.

CBS posted a report about the interview on its Web site Monday afternoon, saying Saddam has challenged President Bush to a live debate on their nations' differences.

It's the biggest interview "get" of the year in television news, one all the national news organizations had been seeking. Reached by telephone in Baghdad, Rather credited his executive producer, Jim Murphy, and foreign desk staffer Ana Real for their work in securing it.

"It was a lot of hard work, some team play and, yes, some luck," he said.

Rather reported on the interview Monday on the "CBS Evening News." But the first taped excerpts won't be seen until Tuesday morning. The full interview is to air in prime time Wednesday, on "60 Minutes II."

Rather has interviewed Saddam once before, in 1990. CBS News also ran excerpts earlier this month from Saddam's interview with Tony Benn, a retired British lawmaker who has become a peace activist.

The anchorman was in Iraq on Monday, hoping to secure the interview, and was told at 8 a.m. EST that Saddam was ready. After two hours spent going through security, Rather and Murphy met Saddam.

Rather said the fact of his previous Saddam interview probably helped him secure this one. Competitor Peter Jennings of ABC News also interviewed Saddam in 1990, while NBC's Tom Brokaw has not.

"We made a point of saying to him that we keep our word," Rather said. "We do what we say we will do and won't do what we say we won't do. They came out of that with the experience that we are who we say we are."

CBS acknowledged that former U.S. Attorney General Ramsey Clark, who is prominent in the global anti-war movement and met with Saddam on Sunday, put in a good word for Rather in helping secure the interview.

Clark has known Rather for a long time, said CBS News spokeswoman Sandra Genelius. In a competitive situation seeking an interview, journalists call on many different resources, she said.

Rather did not anticipate any criticism from supporters of a potential war with Iraq who might be upset that he's talking with the nation's potential enemy.

"I'm a reporter," he said. "What reporters do is try to talk to everybody on all sides of the story. I don't know any journalist who wouldn't take this interview. If you do, have them call me, collect."

By DAVID BAUDER AP Television Writer

[FairOpinion]

I found the link from another site and haven't seen it anywhere else, I am not trying to promote Highmark Funds, and have no relationship with them, don't even own any.

Point is how Rather is kowtowing to Saddam. He should have stayed in Iraq. Also CBS admits that Ramsey Clark, who recently visited Saddam, put in a good word for Rather, probably assuring Saddam that Rather will air Saddam's lies without any challenge.

Some of these journalists are really despicable!

[Xthe17th]

Now, if we'd have been on the ball, we'd have sent in a CIA double of Rather and used the opportunity to neutralize the bad ol' sandman once and for all.

[giznort]

Here's what we do: We tell Rather that we're going to "plant a wire" on him to pick up every conversation. The truth is that it is an explosive device that will take both of these yahoos out. Two birds with one stone. Neat and complete.

[RoseofTexas]

You know I have a good christian friend of mine in a hospital bed fighting for her life, she is only 39 yrs old and loves the Lord and country! To see this BASTARD licking SadDEMON butt makes me so angry that I wish it would be that CLYMER in that bed suffering instead of my good friend. Why is it the good folk always suffer while the EVIL ones roam the earth fatted and happy!! I'm sorry folks, I've just about have had it with this treaon SOB BUTTHOLES!! I HATE THEM, I HATE THEM, I HATE THEM!! life is so unfair!! PLEASE W don't wait tooooo long...FIRE AWAY!!!

[2 Kool 2 Be 4-Gotten]

"It was a lot of hard work, some team play and, yes, some luck," he said.

A 5 dollar crack whore could make the same statement about turning a trick. And that pretty much sums up what I think about Rather.

[auboy]

Fidel… Saddam… who's next for old Dan? Maybe Ramsey can get him an interview when Satan. Clark knows him well.

[RoseofTexas]

Sorry, I meant THESE instead THIS...venting will do it to you very time!!

[FairOpinion]

I like your approach. As you say, it would be "neat and clean".
Did you think of applying for Tenet's job?

[AZLiberty]

"I'm a reporter," he said. "What reporters do is try to talk to everybody on all sides of the story. I don't know any journalist who wouldn't take this interview. If you do, have them call me, collect."

Knowing the liberal politics of most professional journalists, he's probably made a safe offer. But I wonder how many collect calls he'll get from amateur journalists, such as people who write for conservative web sites?

[doug from upland]

I wonder if Rather was able to interview Pol Pot.

[auboy]

"I'm a reporter," he said. "What reporters do is try to talk to everybody on all sides of the story.

Dan Rather, you are a liar! But you ain't no reporter.

[FairOpinion]

Don't worry about typos, we all make them.

I pray, that your friend get well.

And hope Saddam will meet Belzebub in person soon.

[Oldeconomybuyer]

I guess ruthless and oppressive dictators prefer The CBS Evening News with Dan Rather -- which is why most Americans don't.

[goodnesswins]

"...who's next for old Dan? Maybe Ramsey can get him an interview when (with) Satan."

Actually, Rather seems to specialize in interviewing the many faces of SATAN....this will just be another one.

[TennTuxedo]

Rather is a case in point of what is wrong with the leftist mainstream media today. He is more concerned with gaining an interview with a known murderer, tyrant, and backer of terrorism around the world, then he is with the safety and security of Americans. Rather is giving Saddam Hussein a world stage and Rather is stabbing his countrymen and his President in the back in the process. Is it any wonder why his and other mainstream media members' rating are plummitting?

[maxamillion]

You know its getting close to show time now... It wasn't long after rather interveiwed him last time that we started bombing his as$... rather has some ball$ to show up back there, I would of thought sadommite would have cut his head off & pissed down his throat!!!

[Petronski]

Luck, hell! Saddam picked the wackiest sympathizer on the dial.

[WorkingClassFilth]

Rather said: "We do what we say we will do and won't do what we say we won't do. They came out of that with the experience that we are who we say we are...I'm a reporter," he said.

Well, Dan, you're also a demonstrated liar and leftist shill too.

If mainstream "reporting" really has sunk to the propagandistic level that Danny-boy consistently exhibits (and I think it has), then the nation ought to get it's topical news, without bias of clothes, from: www.nakednews.com instead of the tired, predictable and port-listing ABCNNBCBS. At least the farce of reading news stories would be interesting, entertaining and without the sanctimonious hypocrisy.

For more on damn-tough Dan, the reporter man, go to: www.ratherbiased.com

[hellinahandcart]

CBS acknowledged that former U.S. Attorney General Ramsey Clark, who is prominent in the global anti-war movement and met with Saddam on Sunday, put in a good word for Rather in helping secure the interview.

Clark has known Rather for a long time, said CBS News spokeswoman Sandra Genelius. In a competitive situation seeking an interview, journalists call on many different resources, she said.

Sounds like Sandra's almost apologizing for the acquaintance, doesn't it?

Bet Dan's not ashamed...