Dan Rather on The View: "One Of The Nicest Guys In This Business," And Also, A Sex God

Barbara Walters and her sisters at The View welcomed Dan Rather to their couch today, with an especially warm welcome from Walters, who called Rather "one of the nicest guys in this business." Joy Behar piped up that he was "kind of a sex god," which seemed to tickle Gunga Dan pink. The warmth echoed the reception Rather got recently on "Morning Joe," perhaps meant to take the sting away from Rather's having been barred from the 48 Hours anniversary party at CBS HQ (owing to the matter of one $70 million lawsuit). They led with the election, obviously — Rather gave the advantage to Obama, but said he's keeping his eye on Hillary, saying 'The primary election has been reset" — and said he thought it might very well go to the convention (prompting Walters to let out a sound halfway between a sigh and a whoop, lending further credence to the "sex god" claim).

Surprisingly, Rather thinks it's actually more likely that Obama would ask Hillary to his ticket than Hillary asking him. ETP begs to differ; but that got old fast when Barbara brought up the CBS lawsuit. Rather thanked her for bringing up the (slightly awkward still, methinks) topic and said he wants to get the real story, the kind you can only get from people "with their hands up under oath."

The ladies also asked Dan about his latest report on HDNet, about the FEMA trailers laced with freaking formaldehyde in New Orleans. (Wrist-slap, HDNet, for not having it online! New media! C'mon, Mark Cuban!).

Finally Barbara, who led most of the interview, asked the, er, 70-million question: "Are we ready for a woman president...are we ready for a woman on network news, or is it just that there are personal characteristics...What's your view?" Said Rather: "I certainly think the public is ready for a woman in news...you as a pioneer of that, Barbara" (Pause for aws.) "I think the country's ready for a woman president, I think the country's been ready for a woman president for some while. I also think the country's ready for a president of African-American heritage. It depends on the person." Though he cautioned that racial prejudice was still alive and well in the country ("let's not kid ourselves"), he said that even so, it was time: "The country as a whole is ready if the candidate convinces them, 'I can lead.'" He did not elaborate if network news was ready if the candidate convinced viewers that I can read...the news'. (Sorry.) The full, 9+ minute clip is below.

Comments

[CFDelehanty]

08:00 AM on 03/07/2008

Ginzaman says that Dan Rather got Connie Chung fired from her anchor job. But that is not true.
Connie lost her premier job due to her stupidity. She had interviewed Barbara Bush and, in an off the record query, asked Barbara what she really thought of Hillary Clinton. Barbara was quite revealing. Then Connie published Barbara's Hillary comment on TV. She violated confidentiality and trust which is a mainstay quality of good reporters.

Before Connie asked Barbara the question about Hillary, if I recall this correctly, she told Barbara that the camera was off. But it was not. I recall seeing Connie's TV airing of the Barbara comment, including Connie telling Barbara that the query was confidential and not for public consumption.

It was Barbara's husband, President, Bush 41, the Republicans, and all the people who were outraged at Connie's intransigence which got her fired. If Dan fueled the flames which swirled around Connie's mistake, so be it. But he alone did not get her fired.

I am not a Bush 43 or 41 fan, but what Connie did was reprehensible journalism. She deserved to be fired.

[Ginzaman]

06:43 PM on 03/06/2008

If the country's ready for a woman anchor, then how come he pulled a power move and got CBS to dump Connie Chung? Sounds a little hypocritical to me. Then again, when Mark Cuban is paying you $_____ million a year, you can do anything you damn well please.

[dadw5boys]

12:10 AM on 03/06/2008

I wish we could send Dan Rater some cash to help him get the documents they are hiding show Bush was and still is AWOL from the Military.
His discharge is no good if his paper work is a fraud, to keep him out of the draft.

You can only receive an Honorable Discharge for Honorable Service!

The Dishonorable President.

[PerryWhite]

08:21 AM on 03/06/2008

Rather than cash, I think that Dan could make better use of some vintage typewriters.

[larry278]

01:47 PM on 03/06/2008

W's military records will be reconstructed, used as evidence from W's indictment to W's sentencing when W is tried by a US court for treason, crimes against humanity, genocide, war crimes, etc. Copping a plea or a plea bargain isn't W's future or that of those associated with W & Co. W would further harm himself if he objected to a quick, fair trial & immediate execution.

[kirotahoe]

11:15 PM on 03/05/2008

i still think dan rather is a class act

[muffinmix]

10:21 PM on 03/05/2008

Did you guys hear the last few comments at the end. Barbra's last words reminded me of why I dont think much of her. Dan brings up the many racist people in the country that exist but goes on to say that he still believes the large majority of Americans are ready for a black president:

Joy: good people have to go out and vote, not bigoted people. we dont care about the bigoted people vote...
Barbra: We care about everyone's vote thank very much Dan Rather.

(watch whoopi during this as well as when Barabra asks Rather if the country is ready for a "female anchor" or "femal president". face is very telling.

[Delaware22]

11:23 PM on 03/05/2008

Of course there is racism in this country, just look at how 90% of the blacks are voting for Obama. Are you telling me they are all voting for him because of the content of his character, or could it be the color of his skin? But, the MSM won't touch that one...not PC.

[muffinmix]

11:43 PM on 03/05/2008

uhh. are you arguing with me? I didnt even comment on that but, since you asked, it could be because the content of his character. Certainly a large majority of his votes from blacks were because he was black. Are you trying to say that that somehow shows racism? Identifying with one candidate of a certain race doesnt mean your discriminating against the other candidate who has a different race. That argument is impossible to make.

[lisangela]

04:08 PM on 03/06/2008

Actually, the early consensus was that the black community would support Clinton because they didn't consider Obama "black enough" or concerned enough about black issues. They didn't cross over to his side solely because of his race, otherwise they would have supported him from the start.

[sebocd]

04:26 PM on 03/06/2008

Racism is not just about preference or even bias based on indentifications, Racism has to include a diistain or distrust, or fear of deminishment when a reprsentative of another group is empowered. Blacks voting for Obama are motivated by pride not negativity toward whites. Certainly there is also a form incidious racism where condescension is masked as positive regard until the benefactor is threatened by competition.

[wmbear]

09:18 PM on 03/05/2008

IF DAN RATHER IS A "SEX GOD"...

I'd estimate that it's only a matter of weeks before the End Times begin....

[snowcat]

07:09 PM on 03/05/2008

Hillary needs to be vetted: from Daily KOS

Have any of her Democratic opponents, including Obama, sought more detailed answers from her about stories such as:
* Norman Hsu and his bundling of money for her campaign?
* How "dishwashers, waiters and others" poured "$1,000 and $2,000 contributions into Clinton's campaign treasury?"
* Bill's trip to Kazakhstan with Canadian magnate, Frank Giustra, that netted Giustra $3 billion and Bill's foundation a $131 million contribution from Giustra?
* How powerful foreign donors to Bill's presidential library, such as the Saudis, may pose a serious conflict of interest to Hillary's foreign policy actions as president?
* How Bill's tangled ties to an investment concern of Clinton friend, Ron Burkle, and it's dealings with Dubai may yet, again, threaten to compromise Hillary Clinton's execution of foreign policy as president?
* The fact that the with all of these questionable financial dealings, the Clintons have been unwilling to release their tax returns, especially in light of Hillary Clinton claiming that the $5 million she lent the campaign was "her own money?"
* And, finally, though we, as Democrats, don't care who Bill schtupps (and, no, none of us believe he has kept his fly zipped the last seven years), you can be damn sure the Republicans will be digging hard (no pun intended) to see just what Bill has been up to since leaving offic

[Bacowall]

06:27 PM on 03/05/2008

Is this a joke that Hillary would want Obama on her ticket after such a display of bitterness and poison? I know and hope he wouldn't want her on his ticket.
If I were Obama I would not respond. Not to mention, to his supporters that would like turning the other cheek. Let her move with all power and speed to embrace a face and person that reflects her values -- mean and polarizing.
Obama needs to do what he has to do-- to keep winning, but will hopefully, avoid her like the 'plague'!

[xargaw]

10:07 PM on 03/05/2008

Hillary would benefit from Obama since it is his candidacy that has brought new young voters to the Party, Independent voters and even some GOP voters. On the other hand, Obama's appeal would be dimenished by someone as polarizing as Clinton. He would be better served by someone like Anthony Zinni, Wesley Clark, Jim Webb or Mark Warner. Note that Hillary's short list that is being floated is Vilsack and Baye, two of the most conservative DEMs in the Senate. Not exactly in tune with true DEM objectives for the country.

[MrPragmatic]

11:49 PM on 03/05/2008

Do you mean to tell me that Obama wouldn't want HRC'S Latino and women vote that has put her over the top in places like California, Texas, Arizona, New Mexico, Mass, etc? Wow how arrogant of Obama and his supporters to think that only she would benefit from his supporters.

[MrPragmatic]

11:53 PM on 03/05/2008

Do you mean to tell me that Obama wouldn't want HRC'S Latino and women vote that has put her over the top in places like California, Texas, Arizona, New Mexico, Mass, etc? Wow how arrogant of Obama and his supporters to think that only she would benefit from his supporters. Moreover, all of those folks lining up to vote in Ohio were not just there to vote for Obama it would seem. Come on Obamaites, get real.

[MPeter]

05:44 PM on 03/05/2008

here is news you can use. The Clinton-Bush dynasties unmasked.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xeu1FLulWCo&feature=related

[gopSTEALSyourTAXmoney]

02:39 AM on 03/06/2008

A Clinton 'dynasty' could do more GOOD for this Country and humanity than all the Republican
administrations since John F. Kennedys time!

[ctblue]

09:21 AM on 03/06/2008

Is there no that understands the meaning of "dynasty"? It involves more than one generation of a family. Bushes = dynasty. Clintons = NO DYNASTY. How does a married couple with one child suddenly become defined as a dynasty? Maybe you should do more research....

[KindAndThoughtful]

05:04 PM on 03/05/2008

The people of a country are always greater than its leaders. It is the combination of spirit, determination, and talents of the people that make a nation great. Americans must get beyond all this red states vs. blue states nonsense. We must nurture our compassion toward other people and animals...and we must make math, science and engineering education a priority. Our economy and future depend on it.


http://verybestwebsites.blogspot.com/

[Bulbul]

05:02 PM on 03/05/2008

Sorry to have missed Dan on View..

[XCITIZEN]

10:33 PM on 03/05/2008

The ultimate convergence of SEX and GOD: Dan Rather

[madprophet]

04:26 PM on 03/05/2008

What I liked about this segment, besides its innate intelligence and civility, is that the moron Shepherd was no where to be seen. Likely someone told her that the adults would be talking, and she would not understand the conversation. She was probably off reading her special bible for awhile. You know, the version that told her that the earth was flat, and that the Christians pre-dated the Greeks and Romans.

[melann830]

02:48 AM on 03/08/2008

You are so mean! LOL

[stillfresh]

04:23 PM on 03/05/2008

Why does ETP "differ" from Rather's prediction that it will be Obama asking Clinton to be VP? It's possible that the asking will be his to make. But agreed, doubtful he'd ask a dangerous well-poisoner like Hillary Clinton to be anything but a prospective intern.

[Rachel Sklar]

04:59 PM on 03/05/2008

I meant that I would expect Hillary to be more willing to ask him than vice versa. It wasn't a statement on which candidate had a better shot at the nomination, which despite her recent success I would still wager will go to Obama. But you never know. In any case, that comment, explained.

[stillfresh]

10:36 PM on 03/05/2008

Thank you.

[AnninCA]

04:21 PM on 03/05/2008

I rarely watch this, but it was on this morning.

He was really very neat. And the discussion was good and lively.

Boy, did the "gals" blast Maureen Dowd!

They all think Hillary is having a blast.

I agree with them, btw.

I think Bill is also having great fun.

Even on his leash. *haha

[Wildcatdiva]

07:25 PM on 03/05/2008

Oh please, the harpies on the view are a bunch of menopausal Hillary cronies with one post partum depressed right wing loon. Joy is just ridiculous. She represents an old busy body bitty. Since Rosie and Meredith, left she feels as though she’s the queen bee of the imbecilic group. Whoopie is the handkerchief headed court jester. Sherry “the dense” thank goodness she wasn’t there to embarrass the AA community any further. Elisabeth…the champion of conservatives fools ideas. Dan Rather…I don’t know whether I felt sorry for him or distain. To fall from grace is tough but I didn’t agree with his conversation concerning the election on bit. Barbara needs to take her old butt down to Florida and relax.

[MikeDu]

04:10 PM on 03/05/2008

Proof again that most blogs are from guys/girls in their bathrobes watching daytime TV every day. Back when i had my night job I could've done a daily 'All my Children" report.

[AnninCA]

04:22 PM on 03/05/2008

True.........guilty here today. I even was in my bathrobe. *haha

[Wildcatdiva]

07:40 PM on 03/05/2008

I work nights as well and I wouldn't watch a soap to save your life.