Rather Apologizes For Fund Raiser

by DAVID BAUDER AP Television Writer

NEW YORK (AP) -- CBS News anchorman Dan Rather apologized Wednesday for ''an embarrassing and regrettable error in judgment'' by speaking at a Democratic Party fund-raiser in Texas last month.

Donors paid as much as $1,000 to hear Rather on March 21 at a party held in the back yard of a friend, Austin City Council member Will Wynn, The Washington Post reported.

News organizations usually set strict rules to maintain the appearance of impartiality among their correspondents. CBS News prohibits participation in political fund-raisers.

''It was a serious mistake, which I acknowledge,'' Rather said in a statement. ''No one believes more strongly in CBS News standards than I do, and I have let those standards down.''

Rather, anchorman of the ''CBS Evening News'' since 1981, said he has apologized to CBS News President Andrew Heyward and his colleagues at the network.

''I made an embarrassing and regrettable error in judgment by going to this event,'' he said. ''I am determined to do everything possible to guard against any future word and deed that would even suggest any question about where CBS News and I stand when it comes to ethical journalistic conduct.''

Rather, 69, was unavailable to answer questions, a spokeswoman said. He told the Post that he didn't know the event was a fund-raiser when he arrived in Austin, but that he didn't ask enough questions ahead of time.

When he arrived, the event's purpose was clear but he went ahead with his talk. ''If someone wants to fault me for that, I wouldn't blame them,'' he told the Post.

Rather, a Texas native, was not paid for his appearance, which raised about $20,000 for the Travis County Democratic Party. Other hosts of the event included Scott Ozmun, the county Democratic chairman, and Robin Rather, the anchor's daughter who's considering running for Austin mayor.

No disciplinary action is anticipated for Rather, said CBS News spokeswoman Sandy Genelius.

''No one feels worse about this than Dan and nobody feels more strongly about CBS News standards than Dan,'' she said.

Conservative groups already suspicious of Rather were buzzing on Wednesday. The story was prominently featured on RatherBiased.com, a Web site that collects statements uttered by Rather.

Brent Bozell, president of the conservative watchdog group Media Research Center, called on Rather to apologize on the air.

''Without a genuine and sincere apology to the viewing public, Rather's lips will forever drip with hypocrisy,'' Bozell said. ''As of now, his stain covers the entire CBS News division.''

There are no plans for Rather to address the issue on the air, said his spokeswoman, Kim Akhtar.

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Oh no, of course not!

And you gave us a hard time for properly naming him as a worthless and obviously biased newsreader.

mav out