Dan Blather leaving CBS in March.

[Matt]

Rather to Step Down in March
'CBS Evening News' Anchor to Leave on 24th Anniversary
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A7313-2004Nov23.html
By David Bauder
The Associated Press
Tuesday, November 23, 2004; 12:27 PM

NEW YORK -- Dan Rather, embattled anchor of the "CBS Evening News," announced Tuesday that he will step down in March, on the 24th anniversary of taking over the job from Walter Cronkite.

The veteran anchor has been under fire in recent months for his role in a "60 Minutes Wednesday" story that questioned President Bush's service in the National Guard, which turned out to based on allegedly forged documents.

Rather, 73, said he will continue to work for CBS, as a correspondent for both editions of "60 Minutes."

He made no mention of the National Guard story in announcing the change, saying he had agreed with CBS executives last summer that after the Nov. 2 election would be the right time to leave.

"I have always been and remain a 'hard news' investigative reporter at heart," he said. "I now look forward to pouring my heart into that kind of reporting full time."

CBS made no mention of a potential successor.

Rather has worked at CBS News for more than 40 years and made his name as a reporter covering the Nixon White House. His nearly quarter-century at the helm of the "CBS Evening News" is the longest at the helm of any network evening broadcast.

© 2004 The Associated Press

[lukpac]

Blather?

[Matt]

Yes indeed. It seems it is a fairly popular nickname for Dan:

http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&q=dan+blather