Cronkite, Dead At 92: 'A Voice Of Certainty In An Uncertain World'
(photo: Hoover Institution Archives)
Walter Cronkite, "CBS Evening News" veteran and one of the first "celebrity anchormen," died last night at his home in NY. His son cited complications of dementia.
The tributes:
NYT: "Such plain-spoken grace that he was called the most trusted man in America."
Washington Post: "Viewers found in Cronkite someone they could not only trust and depend upon; they could take comfort from him."
LA Times: He "exhibited a masterful, disciplined stewardship that helped television news come of age. He was arguably the most respected and recognizable media figure of his time."
Apollo 11 Commander Neil Armstrong: "For a news analyst and reporter of the happenings of the day to be successful, he or she needs three things: accuracy, timeliness, and the trust of the audience. Many are fortunate to have the first two. The trust of the audience must be earned. Walter Cronkite seemed to enjoy the highest of ratings. He had a passion for human space exploration, an enthusiasm that was contagious, and the trust of his audience. He will be missed."
CBS News: "Known for his steady and straightforward delivery, his trim moustache, and his iconic sign-off line -'That's the way it is' - Cronkite dominated the television news industry during one of the most volatile periods of American history."
Pres. Obama: "In an industry of icons, Walter set the standard by which all others have been judged. He was there through wars and riots, marches and milestones, calmly telling us what we needed to know. And through it all, he never lost the integrity he gained growing up in the heartland. ... A voice of certainty in an uncertain world."
The work: The assassination of Martin Luther King, Jr. Vietnam. The moon landing. Watergate. Three mile island. And this moment, indelibly etched into American history, marked a critical juncture in the newsman's relationship with his viewers:
(JENNIFER SKALKA)