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September 22, 2004
Dan Rather
Enough, already, on the story of CBS and the great document fiasco.
The mistake CBS made in the first place was deciding to run any Vietnam story, period, irrespective of what the documents did or did not show. Who decided that it was important to fill the paltry amount of time devoted to news with a story that told the American people absolutely nothing on a topic that they had likely hardened their position on? Face it. Kerry went to Vietnam. I won't quibble over what in fact he did there but it is quite safe to assume that he did, in fact, get shot at and did, in fact, exhibit courage and did, in fact, come back to the US and continue to serve his country for many years. Bush, on the other hand, did not go to Vietnam, did not fight, and was not in the same kind of danger. End of story. Voters can decide if these particular experiences are relevant in 2004. That contrast in and of itself is so stark that it is unlikely partisans on either side will sway voters one way or the other. I have yet to meet one person who told me that their vote depends on the outcome of the Vietnam service controversies.
CBS should be criticized for opting to air the document story in the first place. They chose it over the zillions of others pertinent to the campaign and the future of this country and the world. CBS devotes, what, a couple of hours to hard news each week and this was the best that they could do?
Posted by apc at September 22, 2004 12:32 AM