Moonves on the "Babe Ruth" of News
Walter Cronkite was the public face of CBS News for decades. He remains a source of pride for all of us at CBS to this day. Here with some personal thoughts about that is CBS President and CEO Leslie Moonves:
Many years ago when I first became president of the CBS Television Network, my secretary buzzed me and she said, "Walter Cronkite is on the phone."
I was thrilled! I knew I had finally arrived. I was talking to a legend. I was talking to Babe Ruth.
For many years on the 19th floor of Black Rock, CBS' headquarters in New York City, Walter and I shared a floor.
A couple of times a month he would walk down to my office or I would walk down to his, and we'd talk about the network news, the network, life in general.
What a great guy. There's a reason Walter Cronkite was the most trusted man in America.
He had honor, he had integrity, and when he spoke people believed him and they listened to him.
I am so proud that Walter Cronkite represented the CBS family. He was the best America had to offer. I'm so proud to have known him.
My friend George Clooney and I have been e-mailing the last couple days. George and his father Nick were very close to Walter. George's last e-mail was, "I don't want to live in a world without Walter Cronkite."
Amen.