Bartlett on CBS job: “It’s a bit ironic”
By: Michael Calderone
During his years in the Bush Administration, former Counselor to the President Dan Bartlett was often at the forefront of major disputes between the White House and the Fourth Estate.
And on a few notable occasions, that included his new employer, CBS.
The White House sparred with Dan Rather over his pre-invasion interview with Saddam Hussein in Baghdad. But the real battle began in September 2004, following Rather’s “60 Minutes II” report that hinged on alleged documents casting a negative light on President Bush’s Air National Guard service. After facing criticism over what became known as “Memogate,” CBS couldn’t authenticate the documents, and later apologized for the report.
“It’s a bit ironic,” Bartlett said this morning. “I was at the epicenter of that whole saga, for lack of a better word.”
“I think a lot has changed since then,” Bartlett continued, mentioning that there’s an “entirely new cast of leadership at CBS.”
Although he acknowledges there were disagreements with CBS, Bartlett said that things didn’t get personal. Indeed, the White House continued working with the network in the post-Rather period, including having President Bush sit down with anchor Katie Couric.
For CBS, Bartlett will now provide political analysis during the conventions and through November, typically alongside Joe Trippi, who will give the Democratic perspective.
“I think it’s good for the networks and other major news organizations to have balanced commentary during significant political moments,” said Barlett, who added that he expects the relationship to continue after the election.