Reporting: Rather Not

Scene: the White House lawn. Time: after 10 p.m. on the night of a crucial U.N. Security Council debate on the Israeli-Arab conflict. Dramatis personae: CBS White House Correspondent Dan Rather and a camera crew that he kept on after others left, in hopes of getting a post-debate statement. TV lights are on, microphones are live, cameras off.

Enter, lawn left, Lyndon Johnson and Lady Bird, hand in hand. Double take by Rather. Then: "Good evening, Mr. President." Pleasantries. The President and the First Lady stroll on, then return to Rather. Cameras on by now, taping. Almost casually, the President tells...

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