New York Four CBS News staff members lost their jobs last week in the wake of an independent-panel report that found serious flaws in the journalism that led to a 60 Minutes Wednesday story about President Bushs National Guard service. One person who keeps his job is Dan Ratherat least until his previously announced retirement as Evening News anchor takes place in March (hell continue to report for 60 Minutes). The denouement of CBSs journalistic failure has cast a new light on the search for Rathers successor, making it more likely, in the view of some, that the network will seek an outsider for the job, TIMEs Sean Gregory reports.
The latest handicapping:
Katie Couric A network source tells TIME the Today Show co-anchor has been approached about the job. If she could be persuaded to jump, CBS would have to wait 16 monthswhen her NBC contract is up. But the network could name an old hand like Face the Nations Bob Schieffer or Early Show host Harry Smith as a caretaker until then.
Ted Koppel The Nightline kings contract ends later this year, and CBS is rumored to be interested in him. But would the ABC vet want the job? At least he wouldnt have to worry about competing with Letterman.
John Roberts CBSs chief White House correspondent was the early favorite and is still in the mix. But CBS insiders say the longer the search drags on, the less likely he will get the job.
Scott Pelley The 60 Minutes Wednesday correspondent is an ace reporter, but he may have hurt himself with comments to the New York Observer that seemed to disparage Roberts.
Mika Brzezinski The CBS correspondent (and daughter of President Carters National Security Adviser, Zbigniew Brzezinski) is a dark horse candidate, possibly as part of an anchor team.
Anderson Cooper The rising CNN star (who also works for 60 Minutes Wednesday) could be in the running, especially if the long-rumored CNN-CBS merger moves ahead.
The story will be on TIME.com Sunday at 6pm.
Contact: Ty Trippet, 212-522-3640, Kim Noel, 212-522-3651