Flashback, 1996: LJ "Talks to" WalterCronkite as A Reporter's Life Is Published
In interview, legendary newsman reflects on presidents and the power of the tube
Glenn Lewis -- Library Journal, 07/20/2009
- Covering the Kennedy assassination
- Reflections on presidents from Hoover to Reagan
- Setting standards for TV news
The death of legendary newscaster Walter Cronkite on July 17 reminded us of an interview Glenn Lewis did for LJ in the December 1996 issue on the publication of Cronkite's memoir, A Reporter's Life (Knopf).
As Cronkite reminisced about covering some of the most famous events and people in the second half of the 20th century, his reputation for warmth, modesty, and genuineness came through.
Article excerpts
Below are some excerpts from that article, headlined "And That's the Way It Was."
On the assassination of President Kennedy, which Cronkite covered as CBS News anchor: "We handled it as it broke the best we could...I guess my coverage helped to unify the country at a time of great emotional turmoil. And, perhaps in that way, it demonstrated the power and strength of television—the impact of the picture on the tube."
By contrast, Cronkite suggested Richard Nixon was forced by what he didn't know to be "the most ardent student to occupy the White House." According to Cronkite, Nixon didn't behave like someone who thought he belonged in office and "in many respects he deserved his inferiority complex."
The veteran reporter also perceived Nixon as the "most complicated personality" among the presidents he observed up close. But Cronkite said Nixon won that distinction largely because "at times he actually looked unbalanced."
Cronkite did not cover Bill Clinton as a reporter. But the newsman still gave this analysis of Clinton just after his reelection: "I think Clinton is much deeper than people give him credit for. He is a superb listener! Clinton has potential for the inspired, imaginative, innovative leadership we need. I decry, as others do, his personal peccadilloes and the big problems that have risen to embarrass his administration. But I hope they don't drag him down because he has the capability of being an illustrious leader."
Despite his obvious regard for Clinton, Cronkite supported ABC's David Brinkley's right at the time to lambast the sitting president. He summed up the role of commentators, as opposed to television anchors, as follows: "Their job is to focus on the issues and voice opinions. The more brutally honest a commentary, the better!"
Walter Cronkite saw his legacy in terms of a lifetime fighting for quality journalism on television. "I was part of a group of TV pioneers who set standards worth looking back on," he said. "I helped create standards of fairness, completeness, accuracy, and good taste."
