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March 8, 2007 11:28 AM

Katie: Rome Hartman

Posted by 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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Add a Comment See all 35 Comments
by haley04062 March 11, 2007 3:55 AM EDT
Good Luck Rome...no one else leave especially you Katie...Please!
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by frmnewsguy March 9, 2007 10:48 PM EST
Rick Kaplan won't save CBS News. And if he does, who cares?
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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
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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!!!!
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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.
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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.
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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!!
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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.
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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.
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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.
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by skid1957 March 8, 2007 10:54 PM EST
Sorry Katie, changing the executive producer will not help your ratings. I have watched the CBS News only once since you have been reading the news. I saw you sitting on the edge of the desk instead of sitting behind it. What were you thinking. The problem started when they hired you instead of a much more respected John Roberts, who joined CNN in February 2006 after nearly 14 years with CBS News. What were they thinking to let him go. I watch CNN in the morning where I can watch John Roberts. I never missed a night of the CBS News for most of my adult life, until you were hired. It was just a bad match, you and CBS. Should never have happened. You were doing so well where you were at. Now I watch the NBC Nightly News and will until a change is made at the higher ups at CBS. Morning shows are what would work best for you.
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by jebby_one March 8, 2007 10:35 PM EST
I watched CBS tonight for the first time in weeks ... maybe months?

It's too slow, and the topics seem too conveniently aligned with the disconnected Liberal political interests.

What about the Navy guy that was caught spying for terrorist? No news stories about him? Or did they report that while I was using the restroom?

Speaking about stories that CBS didn't report, did CBS ever report about that former top ACLU lawyer being arrested for possession of child porn?

Also, did Katie have recent facial cosmetic surgery? Not that it matters. It seems like she's a different person than the one she was on those morning programs.

... just trying to help.
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by grant2u2000 March 8, 2007 10:32 PM EST
This is classic. I tune into CBS News every so often just to get a good laugh. There is such bias and glee when they get to report a hit piece on Bush or report negative news against the USA. I really do watch just to get a laugh. CBS, you brought in Katie to save your numbers after the disgraced Dan Rather got laughed out of town. People are now saying they would rather not. Keep up your nightly make believe global warming stories and watch your numbers go lower.
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by March 8, 2007 10:21 PM EST
Great show tonight....How about focusing on companies that we can invest in. Lets put those tribes out of business...
Rich
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by loliteblue March 8, 2007 9:28 PM EST
CBS News has woken up. The CBS News division sees
its strenghts & weaknesses and will fix a format
so the public viewing audience will see hard hitting news, special report news, world news and yes human interest stories and special series
segments all within a 30 minute time slot. I personally feel that's great content to have in 30 mins. To concentrate on Katie's style of reporting as a anchor on a nightly news cast with
so much venom is absolutely disgustingly heart breaking and childish and your parents haven't taught you very well in the art of politeness and
manners.GIVE CONSTRUCTIVE CRITICISM OF THE NEWS CAST ONLY! FORMULATE IDEAS FOR A BETTER NEWSCAST
what you think it should be and tell CBS NEWS in
a intelligent matter they'll listen in a serious matter if you do! It's change and we all need to work together. Change can be hard but growth always comes from change. Life revolves constantly its a journey.Now lets just see were
this new journey takes us ok?... ROME HARTMAN
your the best.
Katie your doing a great job. Be encouraged! Whatever format is decided on you will do it well as the consumate professional you are!.... I'm sad today to see
Rome move on great producers are hard to find
in the news world believe me!.....But i know his departure is no reflection of Rome's abilities.
its just the coin toss of the news world.
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by spiritstouch March 8, 2007 8:36 PM EST
I disagree that CBS News is liberal, in fact it tries to be middle of the road and that is the problem. If you want to boost viewership you need to take a stand, firmly and report the NEWS, not the fluff, "feel good" fillers that some would have you tell us night after night. 90% of what is called news is not that at all. You are broadcasting an entertainment show and calling it News because you present it in a serious manner. Boring!! Katie was great in the morning, there was humor and a lightness because everyone understood exactly what they were doing. It doesn't translate to night-time if you really expect us to think its News. Either make it entertainment, or do the News. Forget those who think you're too liberal, you're not even close. And to the person who stated that Fox was "fair and balanced", well, you learned the talking point, but its still a joke!!
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by bracisze March 8, 2007 8:26 PM EST
I just hope that the CBS brass are reading these blog entries. The majority of the bloggers, consistent with commentary all over the web, are not in favor of Katie Couric continuing as anchor of the CBS Evening News.

Katie, you were excellent on the morning fluff news programs. Evening news broadcasting is not a good fit for you. I, like most of America, watched you for the first two weeks. Now, I tune in to other programs. It's not the programming, not the producing, not the timeslot - sorry, but it's you Katie.
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by lucasdebi March 8, 2007 8:20 PM EST
The reason the Evening News is not working Katie is because people do not want to hear your liberal slant and opinions on everything. We trust the other 2 top anchors because they report the news with confidence and authority. They leave personal commentary OUT! You really should go to Celebrity News reporting; that is your gift.
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by gousa_fb965 March 8, 2007 7:46 PM EST
The reason CBS news is failing is because of its anti-American bias on so many issues. It think its a carry over from Katie Couric while at NBC and Dan Rather, before her. (We haven't forgotten the Rather scandel.) Most Americans love America, want us to succeed in protecting our country, and want our news to be fair and factual. We want our news anchors to support America and be people of strong integrity. I don't watch CBS news nor do I ever plan to again.
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by jhrobison2 March 8, 2007 7:46 PM EST
CBS News needs to wake up. The public does not tune in to watch a producer...it's the anchor stupid. It's easy to see that a fluff reporter from the morning show does not have what it takes for real news. There are plenty of good looking "Celebrity News Interviewers" out there. While times have changed, there is still a desire for hard hitting "unbiased news", that CBS di so well pre-Rather. I don't see any reason to tune in until you cut the fluff and biased biased left-leaning commentary. How about reporting on things that are good and working in this great country...there are a lot. You're not the only Prime Time Network news program that needs to wake up. If you don't, none of you will have an audience.
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