September 10, 2004

THE VLWC:

DAN RATHER, DEMOCRATIC FUNDRAISER (Brent Bozell, April 6, 2001, Townhall)

It's happened. The man who almost always described Kenneth Starr to his TV audience as a "Republican independent counsel" (hinting that the first adjective canceled out the second) is now an established "Democratic objective newsman."

The Washington Post gave front-page play on Wednesday to Howard Kurtz's report that Dan Rather helped raise $20,000 for the Travis County Democratic Party in Austin, Texas. When he was confronted with the story, Democrat Dan had some curious things to say.

Rather said he "wouldn't be surprised" if critics use the incident to call him a closet Democrat.


The Other Brother heard today that this event was organized by or hosted by the same Ben Barnes (former Lt. Governor of Texas) who Mr. Rather interviewed for the 60 Minutes story. Anybody seen a story on that?

Posted by Orrin Judd at September 10, 2004 8:02 PM
Comments

True. Also, Rather's daughter, a Democratic Party activist, has worked for Barnes for a number of years. Barnes and Rather are close friends.

Posted by: pj at September 10, 2004 8:28 PM

PS - Here's a story from 2001 noting that Rather's daughter Robin, who was considering a run for Austin mayor at the time, was the host of the event at which Rather spoke.

Posted by: pj at September 10, 2004 8:33 PM

I read the same article(s) as pj. I recall it happened a few years ago. Don't remember the source, but it was reported and Rather gave a rather lame response about his appearance being a favor for his daughter. Nothing political, nothing to see, move along now.

Posted by: Fred Jacobsen (San Fran) at September 10, 2004 8:34 PM

I don't object to members of the MSM being partisan, I just hate having to listen to them insult my intelligence by claiming they aren't. At least the French media are honest and forthright about slanting the news to meet their preconceived agendas.

Posted by: Bart at September 11, 2004 7:37 AM

Rarely do the arrogant and powerful impale themselves on their own hubris in so public and satisfying a manner. This election cycle is producing a two-fer: Kerry and Rather. Can it get any more delicious?

Posted by: Robert Duquette at September 11, 2004 10:57 AM
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