Posted on 06/18/2009 2:36:23 PM PDT by Beaten Valve
TVNewser has learned legendary CBS newsman Walter Cronkite, 92, who once held the title of "Most Trusted Man in America," is said to be gravely ill, according to multiple CBS News sources. The network began updating his obituary more than a week ago, a source adds.
CBS News executive Linda Mason, designated to speak on Cronkite's behalf, had no comment.
The avuncular Cronkite anchored "CBS Evening News" for 19 years, until 1981, when he was forced to retire. Dan Rather was named his successor. Cronkite maintained an office at CBS, where he was a special correspondent.
A native of St. Joseph, Mo., Cronkite made his mark as a World War II correspondent for United Press. He joined CBS in 1950 as a Washington correspondent. In 1962, he was named anchor of "CBS Evening News," then 15 minutes in length. The following year, it became network TV's first 30'minute weeknight newscast.
Cronkite's nightly sign-off -- "And that's the way it is..." - became part of the popular lexicon, and his gravelly voice was instantly recognizable. During his tenure, he led "Evening News" to first place in the Nielsen ratings.
Cronkite returned to "Evening News," in a manner of speaking, in September 2006, when he recorded the opening to the newscast with new anchor Katie Couric.
In an interview with this reporter in 2006, Cronkite was asked if he ever thought about death.
"When you get to be 89, you have to think about it a little bit. It doesn't prey on me, and it doesn't keep me awake nights. Occasionally, when I'm upset about something else, I think, 'My gosh, I don't know if I should do this or that because I'm not sure I'll be here that long to enjoy it.'"
He’ll be lionized by the fawning press, however anyone under 40-45 will wonder what all the fuss is about. Half of America really has no concept of who Cronkite is. He’s been out of the limelight for 28 years.
Very different with entertainment stars such as Bob Hope, who was entertaining the troops when he was 90 and his movies still appeared on TV (admittedly not seen by many). But who has heard anything about Cronkite since ‘81 outside of his boat trip with Bill and Hillary?
that's what is so great about our country.... you can think that and post it.
I'm thinking he's a great american like the rosenbergs, benedict arnold and jane fonda are great americans.
True... but compared to what we have today . . . .
Nixon, flawed though he may have been, was far better than LBJ. So I guess old Walt did us one favor...
Even those of us who disagreed with his politics are tied to him through shared history. The high point was certainly the moon landing, the low point the assassination of JFK.
No Comment...
Burden indeed. Lord, what you will....
Walter? Uncle Ho and Pol Pot are waiting in hell for you with open arms.
The Vietnam war was won without question when we pulled out. All that remained was the rebuilding and training phase. US casualties in Nam were less than 1/15 of the opposition's, and most of those casualties were the direct result of the reluctance to bomb Italian, Swedish, and Russian ships at Haiphong. our so called friends were supplying the weaponry that was killing our troops.
When I was a kid and a little older, he was the one.
I remember when he announced that President Kennedy had died, and took off his glasses.
Gives me goose bumps to remember....
Cronkite can’t hold a candle to the down-to-earth, honest, all-American Paul Harvey for style.
Yep, him, Woodward, et al, have been the mold for many leftist “reporters” ever since.
Prayers that he will repent, for his own sake, as it’s too late for the damage he’s caused America.
Force to retire? My recollection is that Cronkite did not leave under some sort of cloud as did Dan Rahter. As for his being a communist, I think that is a bit much. He was a Democrat partisan. So was JFK. Neither were communists.
ML/NJ
Buh Bye
If you call offering opinion to be broadcasting the news.
Leftist propaganda was the problem. Even had we “won”, as with Iraq, the media would say we lost.
The voice and face of Big Brother. Disgusting man. He has lived 92 years which is far more than most.
He shilled for JFK/LBJ and their Vietnam War until Nixon was elected.
He was a global socialist every minute of his life. Communism was one of the tools of the globalists that he actively advanced.
Me thinks there's gonna be a "Standing Room Only" crowd and given the opportunity, I'll be standin' in line (plus, with age and prostate issues, I'll be able to perform a few curtain calls).
The most biased man in America. Walter Cronkite betrayed every one of the 58,000 men who died in Viet Nam. He betrayed every man and woman wounded in Viet Nam. He betrayed every man and woman who served in Viet Nam and he betrayed the people of South Vietnam.
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