Rather Memorable
The Washington Post Magazine recently featured a post-election interview with journalist Dan Rather, now age 89, which evoked an important milestone in my early reporting career. Almost a half-century later, I vividly recall every detail.
I was a senior in college and the editor of the campus newspaper, new morning. I interviewed local newsmakers and media personalities to bring context and content to the publication.
Right before Watergate became a nightly news focus, Esquire ran an interview with CBS White House correspondent Rather, who was notorious for his exchanges with then President Nixon.
Perhaps the most memorable was when Nixon glared at Rather during a press briefing and asked, “Are you running for something?” And Rather retorted, “No, Mr. President. Are you?”
The writer, journalist Bruce Herschensohn (who also is in his 80’s), decided Rather was getting too big for his news bulletins. And that was the hook for my interview with Rather.
Much to my delight, he invited me to visit the CBS Evening News weekend set where he was doing the national news. He came striding in with a heavy backpack and shook my hand. I immediately felt at ease.
We did the interview before an evening newscast. He was very responsive and encouraging, but several times I noticed he was trying to see what I was writing down. It taught me to listen carefully and get every word verbatim, which I do to this day.
Regarding the Esquire piece, I asked him whether he was becoming the story instead of covering it. I clearly remember his answer: “If I ever get bigger than the story I’m covering, I’ll take myself off the line.” I thought about that quote a lot when, years later, Rather did take himself off the line.
After the interview appeared in new morning, I received a letter from CBS News with Rather written above the logo. Inside was a short, hand-written note on a sheet of yellow legal pad paper that read, “The interview was very professional and so is the product.”
This remains a singular memory and moment in my life.
