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Rather Steps Down, Finally

While on vacation I heard the announcement on CNN, after checking the internet I found that it is indeed true, Dan Rather is stepping down.

Dan Rather, embattled anchor of the "CBS Evening News," announced Tuesday that he will step down in March, on the 24th anniversary of taking over the job from Walter Cronkite. [more]

Rather was embattled over a false story he reported about President Bush that was based on fraudulent memos that were attributed to Bush's former air force commander [click here for more]. Later, after significant pressure, CBS began to report that the memos were fake but true.

Rather blundered through this crisis by asserting the validity of his story on the basis of his reputation. When the memos were shown to be fake and every source was shown to lack credibility, Rather's reputation was undermined as well and CBS' ratings took a nose dive.

Unfortunately, the actions taken by CBS and Rather are simply not enough to restore even a minimal level of credibility. Rather will still be employed at CBS working for 60 Minutes and has never, to my knowledge, received any kind of reprimand.

Here are a number of informative posts:

Powerline- Rather's National Guard story appeared to be closely coordinated with the Democratic Party's effort to make President Bush's National Guard service a campaign issue. In another sense, too, one could say that Rather's fate is intertwined with the Democrats' defeat.

INDC Journal - Unfortunately, it only smells like victory, because ... 1. Rather's still working for 60 Minutes. 2. The findings of the independent investigation are overdue. 3. No action has been taken against Producer Mary Mapes or CBS News President Andrew Heyward.

BlogsforBush - Carries a list of links.

Rathergate - This is Not a Victory

RatherBiased - Washington Post media reporter Howard Kurtz on the Rather resignation: "There is little doubt in my mind, had it not been for this mistake, which Rather apologized, eventually, that he would not be leaving. Certainly would be leaving sometime in the next couple of years. Dan Rather is not going to be in the chair at 90. But I don't think he'd be leaving now."

Captain Ed - Two years ago, this announcement would have been a blockbuster. By this point, the reaction will mostly focus on why CBS waited so long to make the announcement. Rather had long since squandered any semblance of credibility even before he "personally vouched" for the authenticity of forged documents that CBS used to smear President Bush.