Obama: Cronkite Earned his Reputation

(CBS)

President Obama honored legendary CBS Newsman Walter Cronkite at a memorial service today, saying that Cronkite earned title of the most trusted man in America through hard work and a commitment to fundamental values.

"He didn't believe in dumbing down," Mr. Obama said. "He trusted us."

The president said he did not know Cronkite personally, though, like millions of Americans, he was nonetheless touched by him.

"I have benefitted as a citizen from his dogged pursuit of the truth, his passionate defense of objective reporting, and his view that journalism is more than a profession – it is a public good vital to our democracy," he said.

The president spent the second half of his remarks focused on the state of the news media, which he suggested too often falls short of the standards Cronkite set. He said that even today Cronkite would have been able to have an impact despite a "cheapened" public discourse, something he attributed in part to the fact that information can be sent around the world with a click before it has been checked out.

Cronkite, Mr. Obama said, always verified the facts before reporting – something that cost him his job early in his career. Though Cronkite wanted to get the news first, the president said, he would not sacrifice getting it right.

"Walter wasn't afraid to rattle the high and mighty, but never dared compromise his integrity," he said.

Complete coverage of Walter Cronkite from CBSNews.com

Mr. Obama attributed Cronkite's "endless inquisitiveness" to growing up with a mother who sold encyclopedias for a living, and suggested the newsman "never lost the integrity or plain-spoken speaking style" he developed growing up in the heartland.

Other speakers at the memorial service for Cronkite included Katie Couric, Tom Brokaw, Buzz Aldrin, Sean McManus and Leslie Moonves. Also honoring Cronkite was former President Bill Clinton, who called Cronkite "an astonishing man."

"He was always looking for the story, not the storyline," Clinton said. "And there's a big difference."

Watch videos of Walter Cronkite's memorial from CBSNews.com

Obama's Tribute to Cronkite
Schieffer Recalls Cronkite
Katie Couric on Cronkite
President of CBS News on Cronkite
Clinton Pays Tribute to Cronkite
Tom Brokaw Pays Respects
Micky Hart Drums for Cronkite

More:

Dignitaries, Friends Honor Cronkite

Obama Laments Cheapened Discourse Since Cronkite

View photos of Cronkite with newsmakers

[jab232]

I listened to a part of what President Obama said. He said news coverage has been cheapened by "who won-who lost" and talking-head coverage. He said Walter Cronkite's dedication to real news and substance should call today's media back to those standards.

President Obama is exactly right. How many millions of words and thousands of minutes have been devoted to the controversies stirred up by people like Glenn Beck, and how few to reporting which clarifies?

Maybe Cronkite can be a beacon which will lead us back to something better.