Katie: Rome Hartman

By: Katie Couric
Topics: Katie Couric

(CBS)

For so many of us at CBS News, this is a hard day. Rome Hartman, the executive producer of the Evening News, is moving on.

Rome was one of the reasons I came here to CBS. We'd known each other peripherally for years – everyone in the news business seems to know everyone else, don't they? – so I knew his reputation. And I have to say: he is truly one of the "good guys," a man of integrity, character and honor. In the TV news business, those characteristics are too often mutually exclusive. But Rome is the living embodiment of those things. He's also a guy of great intelligence, dedication and – importantly -- fun. He made all of us work harder, and shine brighter, and made us proud of what we do.

It's been such a privilege to have him by my side these last six months. He's been a wonderful partner as I've embarked on this new chapter in my life. I'm so grateful for his indefatigability and perseverance. And it's not surprising to me that he has handled his departure with typical grace, classiness and humor.

He's earned my unwavering and enduring respect, affection, and love.

And you'd be hard-pressed to find anyone at CBS News who doesn't feel the same way.

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by haley04062 March 11, 2007 3:55 AM EDT: Good Luck Rome...no one else leave especially you Katie...Please!; Reply to this comment


by frmnewsguy March 9, 2007 10:48 PM EST: Rick Kaplan won't save CBS News. And if he does, who cares?; Reply to this comment


by ericmichael1 March 9, 2007 4:29 PM EST: Katie,

Thirty-five comments, but I only want to repeat ONE:

"Continue to be YOU, continue to be a force for change (however slow), and continue to have hope for better things: these self-appointed critics likely would not have had half the guts it took for you to write this."

Eric; Reply to this comment


by sharonash-2009 March 9, 2007 12:55 PM EST: I enjoyed watching Katie Couric on The Today Show.
I do not think her personality is suited to the "hum-drum" of an evening newscast. I also do not think she has enough experience as a field reporter doing "hard news", especially when you compare her to other anchors. That said, however,
I do not think comments about appearance, cosmetic surgery, etc. would be made if we were discussing a male anchor!!!!; Reply to this comment


by clifton1225 March 9, 2007 12:38 PM EST: It's about time Couric realize she is not worth 15 million dollars. CBS needs to grow up with its audience, who are ADULTS.; Reply to this comment


by notinbeltway March 9, 2007 3:08 AM EST: So, CBS isn't left wing huh? We all know Katie is a cute little neophite darling of the left, but relatively harmless. Now you've hired the Clintons best friend and former Lincoln bedroom tenant, the man who said "Dan Rather is the gold standard of journalism" AFTER he was caught making up the news, the man who worked as a Clinton spin doctor during their several violations of the law and ethics, the man who every other network has fired for bias, stupidity and incompetence. Every journalist in Washington will tell you that Rick Kaplan is left of the far left and Karl Rove times ten for the Democratic party. How interesting to time this leading into the 2008 election season. Hmmm...You really haven't had any credibilty as an unbiased network for many, many years, but this one definitely ensures you will never get it back. Good luck with your Democratic Party News Network. You can be sure I won't be watching, except when I'm in need of an occasional belly laugh.; Reply to this comment


by petersemkiw March 9, 2007 3:00 AM EST: Dear Katie, I was sorry to hear the news that Rome Hartman was not going to be the Executive Producer of the CBS Evening News anymore. I enjoyed and learned from his appearances on First Look and he impressed me as a fine newsman and fine person. I wish him the best, and I wish the best to Rick Kaplan, who will have some mighty large shoes to fill. I think you continue to do an excellent,excellent,excellent job as the CBS Evening News Managing Editor and Anchorwoman, and I think that all of the correspondents do excellent jobs as well. I am really impressed by your journalistic courage,skill, and creativity to try new formats with the CBS Evening News, and expand our senses as well,and I wouldn't watch any other newscast except yours! I'd rather fight than switch! You bring your warmth, sensitivity,compassion,and sense of humor to the broadcast as well. I, for one, am not just a hardboiled news nosed person, and appreciate your journalistic vision,freedom, and chutzpah, in providing us with a lot more humanity, and your breathtaking
beauty, as well as just hardboiled news, in your newscast,rather than the endless moaning and groaning, droning,mechanical,robotic hardboiled news reporting of your competitors. You've come a long way, baby!! You go,girl!!; Reply to this comment


by jebby_one March 9, 2007 12:16 AM EST: "I like your comment - "Big mouths however aren't always matched up with big brains". Maybe you should listen to yourself and avoid those YELLING "news" hosts on FOX."

:) I try to. Fox is ok, but just a tad too much hyper-reporting. I think they are trying to capture the old Morning-radio format with the fast pace ( i.e. news from around the world in 60 seconds ... or something like that) etc. But still a better format than CBS-ABC-NBC.

The one big difference, I think, is that CBS-ABC-NBC are anchor personality driven but Fox is format driven. By that I mean that for Fox, "who" reports the news isn't terribly important. CBS (etc) on the other hand are stuck in the 50's format ... it's like they want the person reporting the news to sound and "feel" trustworthy and honest. But, Americans no longer trust the media news personnel, none of them, and for CBS to continue holding on to that old format it comes across like a Carvette retro-fitted with an old 28 horsepower volkswagon engine.

Just my thoughts.; Reply to this comment


by low11-2009 March 8, 2007 11:56 PM EST: Hartman's replacement is Rick Kaplan. He should not be trusted with improving the ratings at CBS News. He was the president of CNN and MSNBC. He failed to improve their ratings. I do not know why they want to hire someone who failed. He is also a supporter of the Clintons. If he allows any pro-Clinton stories, the media will question if he is being objective. CBS should reconsider hiring this man to take over Hartman's job. The news department does not need more hummilation. Everyone should be aware of Kaplan's record.; Reply to this comment


by dan2098 March 8, 2007 11:27 PM EST: Good luck, Rome Hartman.

Someone who is a lot smarter than I am once said, "Opinions are like *****, everybody has one." In response to these posts which have nothing to do with the departure of Rome Hartman, allow me to throw in my two cents worth.

The first cent is that we do not have to agree with everything that a news cast has to say. I happen to enjoy watching CBS News and posting here even though I do not always see eye to eye with CBS. The content is interesting, and often gives you something to think about.

The second cent that I will throw out is a comment on Katie Couric's performance. I happen to think she does a pretty nice job; for example, in Friday's newscast she paused to point out to all of us that it was a sad newscast. Was it obvious? Of course it was, but didn't it cause us to take closer note of the stories we had just seen? It did for me.

By the way, those who disagree with any of this should do so wih respect and without personal attack.; Reply to this comment