CBS Affiliates Plan No Action on Rather, Bush Sparring Match

NEW YORK —  The CBS affiliates board decided today not to take any formal action in the wake of a flood of viewer calls about “CBS Evening News” anchor Dan Rather’s combative interview with Vice President George Bush.

“The board decided it was not an actionable board item and it would be inappropriate to make any kind of comment,” said Benjamin Tucker, chairman of the affiliates group.

“I think initially we had a group that was distressed, and that has lessened by several measures since Tuesday,” Phil Jones, immediate past chairman of the affiliates board, said. “I think part of it was Rather’s handling of the situation on the ‘Evening News’ (Tuesday) night. . . . “

Rather, in an unusual “personal word” with viewers, defended his questioning of Bush as merely “persistent.” The Monday Bush interview prompted a flood of calls to CBS stations nationwide.