Dan Rather's Saddam-like Frequency

The CBS anchor--and I mean anchor in every possible sense of the word, especially in relation to ratings whenever he appears on the small screen--delivers a cliche-ridden appraisal of Saddam apres interview: "The dictator's dark eyes are penetrating. He gives the impression of not just looking at you but looking through you."

The piece is not particularly interesting for what it adds to our understanding of the Slim-Fast Saladin (Rather notes that Saddam has dropped as many as 25 pounds over the last decade, to a fighting trim of about 220 or 215).

No, the piece is one more odd-shaped piece in the jigsaw puzzle that is Dan Rather's brain. The newscaster stresses "that Saddam Hussein considers himself to be the consummate survivor." He adds later:

It is evident that the consummate survivor remains confident--almost strangely and, one could say, illogically so--that he will somehow endure this present test, and whatever lies after.

Anyone else get the sense that Rather--a tremendously long-lived yet little-loved and much-ridiculed presence on the ever-smaller screen that is network news--is really talking about himself and his eventual retirement?

Available for free--and worth every penny--on the Wall Street Journal's OpinionJournal.

Comments

[J. Fielek]

Here's my take on Dan Rather's little speil --

http://www.blog.garageofxanadu.com/archives/week_2003_02_23.html#000380

Rather is a stunningly poor reporter. He even managed to be lame interviewing the Dixie Chicks on a CMT special, and the Dixie Chicks should get a fire going in the belly of anyone.

[Jon H]

Saddam could chair the International Olympic Wossname. The old leader was an old Franco flunkie, right?

Give Saddam a nice sinecure on the staff of the World Economic Forum (the Davos meeting) so he can socialize with the rich and powerful once a year.

[PoliBlogger]

Yep, I noted it too: http://poliblogblog.blogspot.com/2003_02_23_poliblogblog_archive.html#89898220.

I took it as an argument that attacking him really isn't necessary, as he wants to survive, and therefore is containable. As argued on my Blog, I think he wants to survive, but on his terms. If mere survival was the issue, he could go live in Paris, or if survival and power was the issue, he could give up his WMD's and stay in power with bullets and tanks.