CBS releases Rathergate report

Finally, the long-awaited report has arrived. Contrary to the cynical expectations of blogosphere, a full, 224-page report was released, and on a Monday morning (not late Friday evening). That shows at least some seriousness on the part of CBS. Also noteworthy is the fact that three executives were asked to resign, and Mary Mapes, the producer responsible for the fake memos, was terminated. Dan Rather, however, got away with a “retirement.” (Whatever infamy he escapes on paper, he’ll be forever remembered for Rathergate. Everything else is whitewash and self-delusion.) Wizbang thinks, however, that Rather might have been fired as well had he not announced his retirement. He bases his thinking on this bit from page 114: “Heyward also told the Panel that Rather said he had not ‘been involved in this much checking on a story since Watergate.’” I am not sure that such a conclusion can be drawn this way.

In any case, I think this is a good critical juncture for CBS to salvage any reputation that it has left. Perhaps it can even start rebuilding!