Dan Rather Quotes

But we cannot rely on memorials and museums alone. We can tell ourselves we will never forget and we likely won't. But we need to make sure that we teach history to those who never had the opportunity to remember in the first place.

To the pilot of a deep sea submersible, upon finding out what would happen if the craft sprung a leak while submerged. I'll trust you to make sure that doesn't happen.

For years Don Imus was just - boy, he was merciless in his criticism of me. Maybe it was justified, but that didn't mean it didn't hurt.

The Republican convention opens in New York to re-nominate George W. Bush and showcase the party's, quote, 'moderate side.' Will voters buy it?

I still love following and thinking about politics. I enjoy recommending important journalism I read or see from other sources.

Are the Democrats going to dance the mandate Macarena?

Fear rules almost every newsroom in the country.

There is no doubt that the way journalism worked when I was growing up and getting started has changed forever.

Americans will put up with anything provided it doesn't block traffic.

I'm part of nobody's world except Brezhnev's.

Democratic presidential candidate Al Gore officially introduced his history-making running mate today, Senator Joseph Lieberman of Connecticut....In their first joint appearance they gave a preview of the Gore-Lieberman fight-back, comeback strategy. Their message: They represent the future, not the past, and they are the ticket of high moral standards most in tune with real mainstream America.

Covering the civil-rights movement was a mind- and eye-opener for me. Houston was a segregated society, as was Texas as a whole - some of it by law, a lot of it by fear and tradition. But there was no violence where I lived, and if there was hate, it was either concealed from me or I just didn't recognize it.

A college degree is the key to realizing the American dream, well worth the financial sacrifice because it is supposed to open the door to a world of opportunity.

I'm all news, all the time. Full power, tall tower. I want to break in when news breaks out. That's my agenda. Now, respectfully, when you start talking about a liberal agenda and all the, quote, 'liberal bias' in the media, I quite frankly, and I say this respectfully but candidly to you, I don't know what you're talking about.

Music is important. It says things you heart can't say any other way, and in a language everyone speaks. Music crosses borders, turns smiles into frowns, and vice versa. These observations are shared with a hope: that, when schools cut back on music classes, they really think about what they're doing - and don't take music for granted.

(Obama's) a nice person, he's very articulate this is what's been used against him, but he couldn't sell watermelons if it, you gave him the state troopers to flag down the traffic.

If frogs had side pockets, they'd carry hand guns.

Editing can alter the original meaning and context, and computers can alter the image itself. The camera can also be manipulated. At the very least, it must be turned in one direction - only one direction at a time ... Who chooses what direction to point the camera, and why?

Well, first of all, I don't want to debate the word conservative, but by my definition, a conservative is someone who wants to conserve the Constitution of the United States and the American tradition and law that no one is above the law.

One finds oneself saying: 'I know the right question, but ... this is not exactly the right time to ask it.'

I've always tried to be fair, even-handed, not an advocate for any group.

I think it's important for the public to know, great reporting starts with a publisher who has guts and an editor who has guts.

I had just turned 10-years-old when the Japanese attacked Pearl Harbor and plunged America into World War II.

A lot of tight Senate races out there. Let's hit those chips with another dash of salsa, Ed Bradley.

There was a time in South Africa that people would put flaming tires around peoples' necks if they dis-sented. And in some ways the fear is that you will be necklaced here, you will have a flaming tire of lack of patriotism put around your neck. Now it is that fear that keeps journalists from asking the toughest of the tough questions... And again, I am humbled to say, I do not except myself from this criticism.

There are more Muslims in North America then Jews Now.

This race is hotter than a Times Square Rolex.

Very big business is in bed with very big government in Washington, and has more to do with what the average person sees, hears and reads than most people know.

Those of you watching and listening, get a cup of coffee or a spot of tea and join us back here in just a few moments.

I know that this story is true.

Performing doesn't turn me on. It's an egomaniac business, filled with prima donnas - including this one.

The American Dream is one of the greatest ideas in the history of human achievement . . . It thrives today in an age when its core components of freedom and opportunity are open to more Americans than ever before. It holds a real, identifiable place in the American heart and mind, and it informs the aspirations of everyone from farmers to software developers, from detectives to bankers, from soldiers to social workers . . . It defines us as a people, even as we add to its meaning with each new chapter in our national experience and our individual actions.

I quote the late Ed Murow. ... He said: 'Look, people listen to me when they want an eyewitness account. 'They think I'm a pretty good reporter. But when it comes to my opinions, mine are not worth anymore than the guy at the end of the bar.' And I believe that about myself.

Those market researchers... are playing games with you and me and with this entire country. Their so-called samples of opinion are no more accurate or reliable than my grandmother's big toe was when it came to predicting the weather.

A free and truly independent press - fiercely independent when necessary - is the red beating heart of freedom and democracy.

I read the book [My Life by Bill Clinton] completely. And I think it compares very favorably with Ulysses S. Grant's gold standard of presidential autobiographies.

Ratings don't last. Good journalism does.

If you liked this broadcast, we hope you'll watch it again tomorrow night and maybe tell your neighbors about it.

Once the herd starts moving in one direction, it's very hard to turn it, even slightly.

Writing is the rock on which everything is built.

Texas: 32 electoral votes, another of the so-called big enchiladas or if not an enchilada at least a huge taco.

You'd better do what you feel good about doing. If we [try] to figure out what it is the audience wants and then try to deliver it to them, we're lost souls on the ghost ship forever.

I've tried everything. I can say to you with confidence, I know a fair amount about LSD. I've never been a social user of any of these things, but my curiosity has carried me into a lot of interesting areas.

It's the American way: if you don't vote, you don't get to whine.

My cousin just died. He was only 19. He got stung by a bee - the natural enemy of a tightrope walker.

If I didn't have a front-row seat on history, it was at least a seat on the aisle.

Journalists should denounce government by public opinion polls.

As long as I have my health, I want to be reporting somewhere.