Cronkite: Trusted Guide Through History

Katie Couric Looks Back at Esteemed Newsman's Life and Career

(CBS)  For half a century, Walter Cronkite told it the way it was, delivering the news straight and unvarnished.

Among the pioneers who built television news from the ground up, he forged a special bond with audiences, reports CBS News anchor Katie Couric.

He was trustworthy, plain spoke and unflappable.

Walter was there. He'd lived the history of the century and reported it. He was born in 1916 in St. Joseph, Mo., and as a young man growing up in Houston and Kansas City, he saw firsthand the dust bowl of the 1930s and the Great Depression.

Special Section: Walter Cronkite: 1916-2009

As a young wire service reporter in WWII, he hit the ground with troops in North Africa and was the first to make it back with the story.

"I'm just back from the biggest assignment that any American reporter could have so far in this war," he said.

He was all of 26 - a natural before the camera and the microphone.

In the early 1950s, television came calling. Walter anchored the news on CBS, first in Washington, then on the network from New York.

As television news began taking wing in the 1950s, so did Walter, covering the coronation of Queen Elizabeth, atom bomb testing in Nevada, and the birth of the American space program.

Walter knew 12 American presidents.

"I met all of America's presidents since Herbert Hoover," Cronkite said." And I've known some of them pretty well. Lyndon Johnson called the "CBS Evening News" while I was actually on the air. And insisted that they put him through to me on the air. My secretary said, 'But he, but he's on the air, Mr. President.' 'I don't give a damned where he is. Put him on the phone.'"

Walter assumed the anchor chair of the "CBS Evening News" in 1962.

He was there with us through America's darkest moments, including the assassination of President John Kennedy.

"And I almost lost it there," Cronkite said.

Cronkite was a fixture at political conventions, including the democrat's chaotic meeting in Chicago in 1968. A party - and a country - at war with itself over Vietnam.

Walter 's skepticism grew while reporting on the Vietnam War. He shared those feelings in a landmark broadcast in which he acknowledged he was stating his opinion that it was time the nation get out.

"And it is increasingly clear to this reporter that the only rational way out then, would be to negotiate," he said. "Not as victims, but as an honorable people who lived up to their pledge to defend democracy and did the best they could."

"After that report, I recall that LBJ said to many of us that if I've lost Walter Cronkite, then I've lost the war," said Tom Johnson, a former Lyndon Johnson aide.

"And I think it pained him to have to say what he thought about Vietnam, but he also understood how isolating the White House can be and how people can get to the point where they don't hear discordant voices," said former President Bill Clinton. "And he thought he knew what the truth was. And he thought he had an obligation to tell it.

But his abiding passion was space.

"I think that our conquest of space will probably be the most important story of the whole 20th century," Cronkite said.

In 1969, a waiting world held its breath as man first approached the surface of the moon.

His own spirit was unconquerable. After leaving the "Evening News" he toured well into his 80s, making documentaries and having a good time.

He spent those latter years with his true loves - his three children Nancy, Kathy and Walter Jr., and his wife of nearly 65 years, Betsy. It's said they fell asleep every night holding hands.

In 1996, he taped his thoughts on the amazing century he'd seen.

"If there's anything I've learned it is that we Americans do have a way of rising to the challenges that confront us," Cronkite said. "Just when it seems we're most divided, we suddenly show our remarkable solidarity. The 20th century may be leaving us with a host of problems, but I've also noted that it does seem darkest before the dawn. There's reason to hope for the 21st century. And that's the way it will be."

[zeitmin77]

By all accounts Cronkite was no saint.He did his own spin like the other anchor-politicians to brainwash the people .Perhaps he was not as bitterly ideological as his modern counterparts.God bless him.

[mraghavan]

A tragic loss. We as a nation and as a world need another news anchor like Walter Cronkite - a trusted, empathetic, news reporter who gave clarity to what is otherwise a very confused and messed up world. I can only pray that in mourning his loss, the media will find inspiration to rise back up to his standards.

[patguin]

I too trusted Walter Cronkite until he used his media position to change US
foreign policy. He showed the way for our present-day media talking heads to become editorial writers and cause the demise of the "reporter".

[Mac]

I wish America still had reporters. Perhaps someday. Mr. Conkite, Walter, was a liberal, Im a conservative. But I trusted his news more than any reporter alive today. He avoided personal attacks like Dan Rather used, yet he helped bring down Nixon. He gave news, not views. Couric gives friendly entertainment. Walter told us "thats the way it is". And we were not afraid to believe him.

[troglobyte]

Dear Walter,

You were one of the people on my "would like to meet" list. To me you were calmness during the storm, reason during the insanity. When we lost the Kennedy's and Dr. King and all hope seemed lost, you reminded us it was not. When Apollo 13 was almost lost, you explained to us how they were going to make it back and never for a moment doubted that they would make it. You were optimism in a time of pessimism. Your loss leaves another empty hole in the world.

[lakelizardholmes]

VERY well said, troglobyte. Walter Cronkite was on my short list of "people I'd like to meet" as well. Perhaps in a better place. RIP Walter. Thinking people of good will throughout the world mourn your passing.

[amismc-2009]

How sad it is that we have lost such a wonderful man. He was the consummate anchor man and appropriately the term was coined after Mr. Cronkite. When I think about being 7 years old and watching Walter Cronkite report that man has landed on the moon, I am brought to tears. He was a part of my childhood as well as adulthood. I feel as if I have lost a member of the family. My heart, prayers and thoughts go out to all of his family, friends and colleagues. We are a better nation for having had Walter in our lives.

[truth4america]

What anchor in the last 10 years do people identify with? Can't think of one who comes to mind. That is because of so many stations and 24 hours coverage. Back in WC's day, the 3 network stations were the only place you could get national news from (outside of local papers). All 3 had their broadcast at the same time 5:30-6:00 central time. Their commercial breaks were timed together, even their stories (story of the day), US news, world news, human interest, editorial (at times) at the end.

That is why WC is known, where else could you go to get national news and video back then. If he had to compete in today's environment he would be just another short timer.

Also, there was definitely a slant to their coverage back then, just like now. Enjoy your rating boost CBS, it won't last long.

[mav547166]

Im sure hes a good guy and all but his broadcasting played a role in a communist victory in Vietnam and Cambodia. I wont even go into the millions of people murdered there after the war. So long Walter.

[amismc-2009]

Perhaps you might want to put your self-righteous and ignorant attitude aside and do some real research on how Walter Cronkite felt about the Vietnam War among other things. "There is nothing worse than ignorance in action", mmmm....fitting for someone like you.

[Patrick19702]

My initial introduction to Walter Cronkite was through a morning childrens puppet show he hosted. He hosted the show in the early mornings on CBS TV during the early 50s; I've long forgotten the name of the show. He eventually replaced Douglas Edwards on the CBS evening news and I continued to watch him until his retirement.

[cattlekate1]

by pj1of6 July 19, 2009 4:54 AM EDT
I am sorry for his family on his passing but in terms of fair, objective journalism Cronkite was a bad actor. In helping the Vietnamese communists by campaigning for America's defeat, he showed his true stripes.

Whoa. I grew up with Cronkite, Severide, Huntley and Brinkley and do not agree with you. The nightly news we had in the sixties was objective and nonpartisan. Please offer proof of your statement.

[truth4america]

CBS is really milking this. They were pushing him out the door back in the late 70's.
Please realize there were only 3 network stations back then to get news from. If there were more choices no one would have watched Walter or the other clowns.

[Renegade.Rivers]

Walter Cronkite was a New World Order hack, and was in the pocket of the rich elitest long before most people had even heard of the New World Order. His reporting was never actually fair and balanced any more than Fox News is today. In his day he lead a lot of people astray, and failed to inform them of the truth they needed to know.

How is it that we continually recogonize and salute prople who have did everything in their power to hid the truth from the masses, and make people believe that the world is one way, when it is another.

I recall returning from Vietnam, and watching a report Ctonkite did about Vietnam, and having been there, and seen what I had, I knew that he was lying, while he smiled at the American people on the screen. It was, to say the least, sickening and disappointing.

Our news reporting services are no more than a propaganda wing of the government, always willing to prostitute themselves for the favors they receive from the powers that be.

There is a video that is available on youtube that shows Cronkite laughing about the World Federation, a world government, and at one point he says, "I am glad that I sit at the right hand of satan." link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qqTwce_ZLDw.

Now is that really someone worthy of accolades, and praise? If his wishes were met, he would have everyone of you bow down to a world governemnt controlled by rich elitest and world bankers, who have only one desire, and that is to take away the rights that you have as Americans, and replace them with a world government bent on making each and everyone of you slaves to there diabolical elitism, of which he felt he was a part.

[pj1of6]

I am sorry for his family on his passing but in terms of fair, objective journalism Cronkite was a bad actor. In helping the Vietnamese communists by campaigning for America's defeat, he showed his true stripes. Of course with the likes of Rather, Couric, Williams, Gibson and the rest of the partisan hacks now masquerading as journalists, the situation in the dinosaur media is now much worse. They have become 'the least trusted people in America'.

An excellent summary of Cromkite's views can be found at: http://www.mrc.org/Profiles/cronkite/welcome.asp

[cattlekate1]

oh goodness, pj. I just went to your link at the Media Research Center, which is a right-wing group who's purpose is to shoot the messenger if the messenger reports on things they disagree with. Your link to Cronkite is comprised of cherry-picked statements which, quite frankly, echo the thoughts of middle-of-the-road Americans.

MRC does not list ANY Fox "News" broadcasts or web articles in its bias sections. Ha. That pretty much exposes MRC as to its purpose.

[orsands]

Ah yes, it is wonderful to remember back to the days when newscasters were doing "real" news and not the celebrity laden crap we get nowdays. Too bad nowdays the execs in TV are more concerned with ratings than integrity and/or exerting undue influence on their reporters to play it safe to keep their investors out of the news. The days of Mike Wallace...Dan Rather and Walter Cronkite apparently has gone the way of the Model T and into history books. It's a shame that kids growing up today never had a chance to see newscasters do what they do best when there isn't interference at the corporate level. Now all we have is pretty boys and girls that are hired based on their looks and ability to read a teleprompter. We've got Matt Lauer asking us to vote on wedding dresses and Katie Couric doing soft ball reporting that is guaranteed not to ruffle any corporate sponsors or investors. If someone with Cronkite's integrity and grit had been on a major network for the last eight years...I am guessing Bush probably would not have been re-elected as a result of the press falling asleep at the wheel. But then it's doubtful that Cronkite would have been given air time in this day and age because he probably wouldn't have been considered "handsome enough" for the job. And it is highly doubtful that he would have been willing to sell out his ideals and integrity just to land an anchor job, especially when it came time to be fitted for the dog collar and leash that the execs would insist on leading him around with and yanking on when he got out of line.

[pollroller1]

I also grew up watching Walter Cronkite. I wish we had someone like him today.

[winstrv]

Maybe the hacks that call themselves anchors and reporters today could learn how to report the news from him. I don't remember him ever openly rooting for a political person and/or party. That came after he left the news booth which is the way it should be. The All Barack Channel (ABC), NBC, and CBS should be ashamed on how partisan their reporting has become.

[picklepants7]

well i will say this about walter. at least newscasters from back in the day had the wherewithall to hide and disguiese their bias unlike today's media which is has no shame in wearing their party affiliation on their sleave. namely liberal democrate.

[democracy1]

Oh, and as if the ultra-conservatives don't do it as well? If you are going to criticize on principle, at least have the integrity to criticize both sides equally. Otherwise, you are nothing more than a partisan hack with a double standard.

[picklepants7]

oh give me a break ****** bag. name me an anchor, not a host of a show that slants the news to the right. and since when do you liberal dims critize yourselves? answer, never.

[smkymtnman1963]

I grew up listening to Mr.Cronkite and had great respect for the man.I feel that if there is anyone that should be honored with any greater honors that can be achieved, it should be Walter Cronkite. May he have much rest and peace. May the Good Lord in Heaven greet Mr. Cronkite with open arms and a great reward.