Explore Quotes by Dan Rather

From the streets of Cairo and the Arab Spring, to Occupy Wall Street, from the busy political calendar to the aftermath of the tsunami in Japan, social media was not only sharing the news but driving it.

As someone who's been covering presidential campaigns since the 1950s, I have no delusions about political reporting. Candidates bargaining access to get the kind of news coverage they want is nothing new.

The press is a watchdog. Not an attack dog. Not a lapdog. A watchdog. Now, a watchdog can't be right all the time. He doesn't bark only when he sees or smells something that's dangerous. A good watchdog barks at things that are suspicious.

A college degree is the key to realizing the American dream, well worth the financial sacrifice because it is supposed to open the door to a world of opportunity.

Those market researchers... are playing games with you and me and with this entire country. Their so-called samples of opinion are no more accurate or reliable than my grandmother's big toe was when it came to predicting the weather.

One of the most important roles of our journalists is to be watchdogs.

The great lesson my mother and father gave me was almost invisible. It was a strong sense of being rooted.

There is no doubt that the way journalism worked when I was growing up and getting started has changed forever.

What separated Ed Murrow from the rest of the pack was courage.

Journalists should denounce government by public opinion polls.

If I didn't have a front-row seat on history, it was at least a seat on the aisle.

Never eat spinach just before going on the air.

I still love following and thinking about politics. I enjoy recommending important journalism I read or see from other sources.

I've always tried to be fair, even-handed, not an advocate for any group.

I think it's important for the public to know, great reporting starts with a publisher who has guts and an editor who has guts.

This race is hotter than a Times Square Rolex.

For years Don Imus was just - boy, he was merciless in his criticism of me. Maybe it was justified, but that didn't mean it didn't hurt.

I don't pretend to be a digital savant or even a digital apprentice.

I'm proud to say I've never been anybody's lapdog.

Always marry a woman from Texas. No matter how tough things get, she's seen tougher.

And for whatever reason I've loved the news since I can remember. I loved it when I was in elementary school.