Shepard Smith on Dan Rather's Last Day at CBS
Reported by Marie Therese - March 10, 2005
Yesterday (3/9/05), at the end of FOX Report with Shepard Smith, Smith actually had a few nice words for Dan Rather on the day of his retirement from CBS. I was so shocked I thought I would transcribe his comments and post them, if only to give the devil his due!
SMITH: And on this day in 1981 Dan Rather took over from Walter Cronkite as anchor of the CBS TV News, the TIffany network getting a new face. The number one rating didn't last, but Dan did until now. The changing of the guard, 24 years ago.
And now, you know the news of Wednesday, March [9th], 2005, Dan's last day on the desk.
Say what you will, Dan Rather is a tireless reporter. He's the guy who was never afraid to get involved in a story - dodging bullets in wars, hugging trees in hurricanes, making the news come alive. I admire that and try to do the same. Rather has seen it all and covered it all, never afraid to show us himself and his Texas twang, sometimes warts and all. I admire that, too.
Rather gave my producer and me a ride recently on CBS's charter jet from Baghdad to Amman, Jordan. We paid our way, but Dan was kind and respectful to us, even complimentary of our work on this very program. A perfect host while embroiled in his own perfect storm.
Dan Rather was a Southern gentlemen to all around. I admire that most. And I bet history will reflect that Dan Rather was, among other things, a news icon who chronicled some of the most important events ever, making mistakes along the way - like the rest of us.
Tonight, good luck, Mr. Rather. And godspeed!
COMMENT
According to the FOX News website, FOX Report with Shepard Smith is "the No. 1 newscast in cable news."
Bob Schieffer will serve as the new host of the CBS Evening News.
Does anyone think Shepard Smith might have his eye on a different prize?
