Well, I agree with you; but only if you back up your/Rather's time frame a few years!
Do think Rather has been overzealous for years - he just bumped into this one; head on and with more than an 'ouch'.
At seventy-two; I hope he has more than peaked! And he has gotten away with enough already; time to go home!
You are right. I just wasn't paying enough attention to politics back then.