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On February 27, 1968, CBS news anchor Walter Cronkite delivered a scathing editorial on America's chances of winning the Vietnam War. When the news became opinion. From the article:
"Final Words: Cronkite's Vietnam Commentary
July 18, 20094:00 PM ET
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Parting words from Walter Cronkite: His famous Vietnam commentary, originally aired on a special CBS News broadcast Feb. 27, 1968.
GUY RAZ, host:
Parting words tonight from the late Walter Cronkite. On February 27th, 1968 during a CBS News Special Report, Cronkite did something that changed America's perception of the Vietnam War.
Mr. WALTER CRONKITE (Anchorman): I wrote a three-minute closing for the program, which seemingly, without reluctance, our stern and uncompromisingly fair news president Dick Salant approved.
(Soundbite of TV program, "CBS Evening News")
Mr. CRONKITE: (Reading) Tonight, back in more familiar surroundings in New York, we'd like to sum up our findings in Vietnam, an analysis that must be speculative, personal, subjective. Who won and who lost in the great Tet Offensive against the cities? I'm not sure. The Vietcong did not win by a knockout but neither did we.
Then, with as much restraint as I could, I turned to our own leaders whose idea of negotiation seemed frozen in memories of General McArthur's encounter with the Japanese aboard the Battleship Missouri.
We've been too often disappointed by the optimism of the American leaders...
(Soundbite of TV program, "CBS Evening News")
(Reading) Both in Vietnam and Washington to have faith any longer in the silver linings they find in the darkest clouds. For it seems now more certain than ever, that the bloody experience of Vietnam is to end in a stalemate. To say that we are closer to victory today is to believe in the face of the evidence, the optimists who have been wrong in the past.
To say that we are mired in stalemate seems the only realistic, if unsatisfactory conclusion. On the off chance that military and political analysts are right, in the next few months we must test the enemy's intentions, in case this is indeed his last big gasp before negotiations.
But it is increasingly clear to this reporter that the only rational way out then will be to negotiate, not as victors, but as an honorable people who lived up to their pledge to defend democracy, and did the best they could.
This is Walter Cronkite. Good night.
(Soundbite of music)
RAZ: And for this evening, that's ALL THINGS CONSIDERED. I'm Guy Raz. Have a great night."
"Final Words: Cronkite's Vietnam Commentary
July 18, 20094:00 PM ET
Toggle more options
Parting words from Walter Cronkite: His famous Vietnam commentary, originally aired on a special CBS News broadcast Feb. 27, 1968.
GUY RAZ, host:
Parting words tonight from the late Walter Cronkite. On February 27th, 1968 during a CBS News Special Report, Cronkite did something that changed America's perception of the Vietnam War.
Mr. WALTER CRONKITE (Anchorman): I wrote a three-minute closing for the program, which seemingly, without reluctance, our stern and uncompromisingly fair news president Dick Salant approved.
(Soundbite of TV program, "CBS Evening News")
Mr. CRONKITE: (Reading) Tonight, back in more familiar surroundings in New York, we'd like to sum up our findings in Vietnam, an analysis that must be speculative, personal, subjective. Who won and who lost in the great Tet Offensive against the cities? I'm not sure. The Vietcong did not win by a knockout but neither did we.
Then, with as much restraint as I could, I turned to our own leaders whose idea of negotiation seemed frozen in memories of General McArthur's encounter with the Japanese aboard the Battleship Missouri.
We've been too often disappointed by the optimism of the American leaders...
(Soundbite of TV program, "CBS Evening News")
(Reading) Both in Vietnam and Washington to have faith any longer in the silver linings they find in the darkest clouds. For it seems now more certain than ever, that the bloody experience of Vietnam is to end in a stalemate. To say that we are closer to victory today is to believe in the face of the evidence, the optimists who have been wrong in the past.
To say that we are mired in stalemate seems the only realistic, if unsatisfactory conclusion. On the off chance that military and political analysts are right, in the next few months we must test the enemy's intentions, in case this is indeed his last big gasp before negotiations.
But it is increasingly clear to this reporter that the only rational way out then will be to negotiate, not as victors, but as an honorable people who lived up to their pledge to defend democracy, and did the best they could.
This is Walter Cronkite. Good night.
(Soundbite of music)
RAZ: And for this evening, that's ALL THINGS CONSIDERED. I'm Guy Raz. Have a great night."
Final Words: Cronkite's Vietnam Commentary
Posted from npr.org
Vietnam War
TV
American History
Military History
Posted 4 y ago
Responses: 11
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LTC Wayne Brandon
Well said, Charlie. You have been much more eloquent in your response than I intended to be given my contempt for this sort of journalism which served to undermine the efforts of those trying to make a difference. Granted Johnson and McNamara were woefully incompetent in their attempts to manage this war, but then Johnson was the one Cronkite was pulling for. I'll just stop here and thank you for your very professional and courteous response. Have a blessed day.
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He was such a help. I wonder if some of the guys in Valhalla met him at the gates.
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LTC Wayne Brandon
PO3 Bob McCord - Your opinion is a fact, brother. He was a highly regarded newscaster who did his best to undermine our efforts and turn public opinion away from support for America's best and it worked. It left the politicians wringing their hands and wondering how to get us out of there and gain votes in the process. When it was clear that the hole was too deep to get out of conveniently and cheaply, Johnson kicked the can down the road and bailed out of the next election. I know of no war ever being won, once popular opinion turned against it.
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LTC Wayne Brandon
PO3 Bob McCord - The hostilities were not just directed at those who went to Viet Nam, but to any soldier in uniform whether they served in Germany or Louisiana. If you were a soldier or a Marine, you were fair game.
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Senior year in college so didn't watch but sure remember the repercussions.
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