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DRUDGE EXCLUSIVE: DAN RATHER STATEMENT TEXT
DRUDGE ^ | 9/20/04

Posted on 09/20/2004 9:02:20 AM PDT by hispanarepublicana

EXCLUSIVE

STATEMENT FROM DAN RATHER:

Last week, amid increasing questions about the authenticity of documents used in support of a 60 MINUTES WEDNESDAY story about President Bush's time in the Texas Air National Guard, CBS News vowed to re-examine the documents in question—and their source—vigorously. And we promised that we would let the American public know what this examination turned up, whatever the outcome.

Now, after extensive additional interviews, I no longer have the confidence in these documents that would allow us to continue vouching for them journalistically. I find we have been misled on the key question of how our source for the documents came into possession of these papers. That, combined with some of the questions that have been raised in public and in the press, leads me to a point where—if I knew then what I know now—I would not have gone ahead with the story as it was aired, and I certainly would not have used the documents in question.

But we did use the documents. We made a mistake in judgment, and for that I am sorry. It was an error that was made, however, in good faith and in the spirit of trying to carry on a CBS News tradition of investigative reporting without fear or favoritism.

Please know that nothing is more important to us than people's trust in our ability and our commitment to report fairly and truthfully.


TOPICS:
KEYWORDS: rather; stainedbluememo
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1 posted on 09/20/2004 9:02:20 AM PDT by hispanarepublicana
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To: hispanarepublicana

Fact is, there are a LOT of VERY serious issues that should be pushed HARD OTHER than the documets. The other issues expose HOW THE MEDIA WING OF THE DEMOCRAT PARTY ACTUALLY WORKS! CBS' "gold standard" included:

1. The widow and son were IGNORED
2. Document experts were IGNORED
3. Hodges was MISLED
4. The old secretary was NOT INTERVIEWED until afterward
5. Staudt, who had his character attacked in one memo, was never contacted
6. The opinions of the experts were MISREPRESENTED
7. The swift boat veterans were MALIGNED
8. George Bush's roomate DURING HIS GUARD YEARS, who AGREED TO SPEAK TO THEM WAS TURNED DOWN BECAUSE HE WAS TOO "PRO BUSH"...

And the list goes on. Fact is, this was a HIT PIECE ON BUSH. And just because dnCBS owns up to fake documents does NOT CLEAR THEIR PROPAGANDA / DNC REPORTING!!


2 posted on 09/20/2004 9:02:38 AM PDT by woodb01 (Take out the 'dnC'BS "news" trash... Make dnCBS EXTINCT)
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To: woodb01

Hey, Dan. What a pathetic statement


3 posted on 09/20/2004 9:03:10 AM PDT by pushforbush
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To: hispanarepublicana

Oh well.


4 posted on 09/20/2004 9:03:11 AM PDT by nathanbedford
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To: hispanarepublicana

"nor is it necessary"
HOW'S THAT CROW TASTE, DAN?


5 posted on 09/20/2004 9:03:36 AM PDT by hispanarepublicana (Miss Free Republic High School-1986)
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To: hispanarepublicana

congressional investigation bump


6 posted on 09/20/2004 9:03:37 AM PDT by apackof2 (Damn the torpedos! Full speed ahead!)
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To: hispanarepublicana
We made a mistake in judgment, and for that I am sorry. It was an error that was made, however, in good faith and in the spirit of trying to carry on a CBS News tradition of investigative reporting without fear or favoritism.

Boy, if that one doesn't bring up a hairball, I don't know what will...

7 posted on 09/20/2004 9:03:40 AM PDT by dirtboy (Kerry could have left 'Nam within a week if Purple Hearts were awarded for shots to the foot.)
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To: hispanarepublicana

It's a great day when Captain Dan eats crow!!!


8 posted on 09/20/2004 9:03:51 AM PDT by Reagan Man (.....................................................The Choice is Clear....... Re-elect BUSH-CHENEY)
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To: hispanarepublicana

Rather must resign RIGHT NOW!


9 posted on 09/20/2004 9:03:55 AM PDT by AuH2ORepublican (Extremism in the defense of liberty is no vice, moderation in the pursuit of justice is no virtue.)
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BTTT


10 posted on 09/20/2004 9:04:05 AM PDT by hispanarepublicana (Miss Free Republic High School-1986)
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To: hispanarepublicana
CBS News tradition of investigative reporting without fear or favoritism.

[vomit]

11 posted on 09/20/2004 9:04:06 AM PDT by Petronski (Pajamarazzi power!)
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To: hispanarepublicana

Very weak.


12 posted on 09/20/2004 9:04:06 AM PDT by bp22 (Just because they serve you doesn't mean they like you.)
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To: woodb01

NRO Kerry Spot is reporting that CBS will issue more information against Bush after claiming the mea culpa.


13 posted on 09/20/2004 9:04:16 AM PDT by saveliberty (Liberal= in need of therapy, but would rather ruin lives of those less fortunate to feel good)
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To: woodb01

Not good enough, Danny. Not good enough by a long shot.

Resign. Now. Grasp some thread of journalistic integrity. Or suffer the wrath of the Blogosphere.


14 posted on 09/20/2004 9:04:20 AM PDT by IGOTMINE (The internet is the most empowering tool invented since Sam Colt created the revolver.)
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To: hispanarepublicana
"Please know that nothing is more important to us than people's trust in our ability and our commitment to report fairly and truthfully."

Really? Nothing?!

That's really great to hear, Dan...

15 posted on 09/20/2004 9:04:22 AM PDT by Chasaway
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To: woodb01

Just hot air. Cheap grace. And no public admission on CBS News, nor his resignation.


16 posted on 09/20/2004 9:04:37 AM PDT by mwl1
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To: hispanarepublicana
And we promised that we would let the American public know what this examination turned up, whatever the outcome... I find we have been misled on the key question of how our source for the documents came into possession of these papers.

Tell us the source, Dan. Tell us the source! Tell us the source!

17 posted on 09/20/2004 9:04:44 AM PDT by dirtboy (Kerry could have left 'Nam within a week if Purple Hearts were awarded for shots to the foot.)
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To: hispanarepublicana

"It was an error that was made"

Very Clintonian passive voice. Reminds me of the classic

"mistakes were made"


18 posted on 09/20/2004 9:04:56 AM PDT by Chewbacco (Well, if ribbons and medals are identical, then by his own admission he did throw away his medals!!)
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To: hispanarepublicana

It was an error made in bad faith and that will continue unabated until we do all we can to further our agenda to destroy the presidency of George W Bush


19 posted on 09/20/2004 9:04:58 AM PDT by OldFriend (It's the soldier, not the reporter who has given US freedom of the press)
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To: All

I just have to wonder WHAT Dan knows now that he didn't know when he did his "investigative journalism" report using these forged docs...

what new evidence has come to light Dan?

He CANNOT be allowed to ge away with this!!!

Neither can Mary Mapes,,this is NOT ACCEPTABLE.


20 posted on 09/20/2004 9:05:08 AM PDT by austinaero
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