September 20, 2004

Statement from Dan Rather

From Drudge:

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.

No sword falling? No resignation? Damn.

Posted by mhking at September 20, 2004 12:10 PM
Comments

patience, Michael-san, patience...

Posted by: Expertise at September 20, 2004 03:09 PM

I wouldn't come down on Mr. Rather so hard yet, folks. So they can't come up with the 'original' documents. What if the message is STILL true, that is, that Bush was given preferential treatment and DODGED his duty in the Guard? I mean, COME ON. So, what's the difference if it's a 'scan' of the original? Or third generation?

Point being, that if it's TRUE that he dodged his 'sworn duty', then what's the difference that the original is not found? Besides, who says that they didn't take care of that little paper trail in the '90's? Can you say 'CHAD'?

Get a clue and see that the rich Republican movement will do ANYTHING to stay in power!

Bush has GOT to go!

Posted by: Daniel at September 23, 2004 08:38 PM
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