I'd Rather Be on "60 Minutes"

America's anchorman embraces senility, America requites but keeps its pants on

By Owen David

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Illustration by Ben Yaster
Dan Rather Drawing

Dan Rather just can't get a break. On March 9, more people watched his final broadcast at the helm of the "CBS Evening News" than either of the other major network newscasts, earning the show its highest ratings in five years. CBS gave the 73-year-old anchor his own hour-long special to mark the event, which came exactly 24 years after Rather took over for veteran newscaster Walter Cronkite. Although Rather will still contribute to the newsmagazine "60 Minutes," he did his best to end his stint at the anchor desk on a high note, coming full circle by signing off with one word, "courage," as he did earlier in his career.

Rather's retirement comes in the wake of a snafu involving a "60 Minutes" story from last September about President Bush's military service, which deeply tarnished Rather's public image. Rather acted as a correspondent for the segment, which featured documents insinuating that Bush had received special treatment during his time in the Texas Air National Guard. In the ensuing uproar emanating from the White House, CBS News allowed an independent panel to investigate the flawed report, later finding that the documents could not be authenticated. As a result, the news organization fired the story's producer in January and demanded the resignation of three top executives, who have yet to step down. Rather, who has apologized numerous times for his involvement in the report, was consequently pushed to retire, though both he and CBS insist that his replacement had been in the works for some time.

Unlike NBC's Tom Brokaw, who went out in a blaze of glory and high Nielsen ratings late last year-not to mention a two-hour primetime special-Dan Rather's situation has only gotten worse since he left the "Evening News." Even Walter Cronkite has said that Bob Schieffer, Rather's interim replacement, should have been given the anchor's seat years ago. In a March 8 interview on CNN, Cronkite noted that the nightly CBS news broadcast has consistently lagged behind NBC and ABC since the mid-1990s, saying of Schieffer, "He would have given the others a real run for their money," and calling him "one of the great television journalists of our time." Speculation abounds as to what this new era may hold for CBS News. While John Roberts, current chief White House correspondent, seems to be leading the race to become the new permanent anchor, CBS president Leslie Moonves has been hinting that dramatic changes could be in store, including multiple anchors and a more 'youthful' format.

Meanwhile, conservative groups are claiming victory as a result of Rather's departure, since they have long viewed him as a prime example of a liberal bias in the news media. Certainly, Rather's career has been highly politicized at times, including a couple of heated exchanges with former Republican presidents. In one memorable conversation in 1966, for example, President Nixon said to Rather, "Are you running for something?" Rather responded, "No, sir, Mr. President. Are you?" Such exchanges have made Rather a perennial lightning rod for conservative criticism.

Rather's time at CBS has been full of notable moments and achievements. From his coverage of major events such as the Kennedy assassination to his interview with Saddam Hussein in 2003, Rather was known for his desire to be recognized as a "real" reporter, delivering on-the-scene news and asking tough questions. In the aftermath of the "60 Minutes" controversy, it is easy to forget that Rather has had an otherwise distinguished career-even if it has been, at times, bizarre. Rather's flair for confrontation and the "60 Minutes" scandal seem to have cemented his image as a divisive political figure, and in the near future this may prevent him from being remembered as the real reporter he tried to be.

Owen David B'05 knows courage when he sees it on TV

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