Bob Schieffer Speaks His Mind

Thursday, September 27th 2007, 10:20 pm

By: News On 6

After spending more than four decades with CBS News, Bob Schieffer has made his name as a plain spoken Texan and at the age of 70, he is not about to change. Schieffer was in Tulsa recently to speak at a Town Hall meeting and News On 6 anchor Terry Hood had a chance to sit down one on one with a man who has been an eyewitness to history.

Terry Hood reports Bob Schieffer speaks his mind, from the presidential race to the way we elect our leaders.

"I think the whole system is broken," said Bob Schieffer.

Web Exclusive: Schieffer Talks About Politics

To the military's perception that the national media is biased against the war in Iraq.

"I have to say with all due respect, they're wrong," said Bob Schieffer.

It's been a year now since he left the anchor desk at the CBS Evening News. A "temporary" assignment that much to his surprise turned the unassuming Schieffer into a star. It was a long time coming.

Web Exclusive: Schieffer Talks About The CBS Evening News

Schieffer says no matter what, as a journalist, his job is putting on the best newscast possible.

Web Exclusive: Schieffer Talks About The Value Of News

Bob Schieffer [CBS biography] has covered presidents from LBJ to George W. Bush and is one of the few journalists to have covered all four major Washington assignments, the Pentagon, Department of State, Congress and the White House. But politics today still surprises him.

"I wouldn't bet your money, let alone mine on who might get the Republican nomination. Nobody has seemed to break out of the pack just yet," said Bob Schieffer.

Whoever wins, Schieffer believes they'll face Hillary Clinton in the general election and he's expecting it to be brutal.

"So much of it now is about money, which makes me sort of sad," said Bob Schieffer.

Schieffer says the major issue of the campaign will no doubt be the war in Iraq. And while he sees the military making some headway, he fears we've made virtually no progress toward a real solution.

"The most significant thing is that the central government has come nowhere. It's nowhere near making an agreement on how to reach a consensus, share power and run the country. And until they can do that, the rest of this doesn't really matter very much," said Bob Schieffer.

Bob Schieffer also encourages young people today to consider becoming journalists.

Web Exclusive: Schieffer Talks About Journalism As A Career

Schieffer has spent his whole career talking about war, politics and the affairs of state. But the man who is the face of Face The Nation, the man who challenges world and national leaders, has a softer side. Get ready for Cowboy Bob. Schieffer wrote a song about a gas station attendant who became a TV anchorman. He sang it at a charity benefit in Washington, D.C., now he's the latest sensation in a band called Honky Tonk Confidential.

"Like in Rhinestone Cowboy, getting cards and letters from people I don't even know. And offers coming in on the phone. I mean it's happened. I wanted to say this all my life, my name is Bob Schieffer and this is my band," said Bob Schieffer.

Web Exclusive: Schieffer Talks About His Other Talent

It may not be the image you've come to expect from Bob Schieffer, but that suits him just fine.

"You know news is very serious and I take the job very seriously. But I have tried not to take myself that seriously," said Bob Schieffer.

After four decades in Washington, D.C., most folks would agree Bob Schieffer has earned it.

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Watch the video: News Legend Sits Down With The News On 6

Web Exclusive: Schieffer Talks About Politics

Web Exclusive: Schieffer Talks About The CBS Evening News

Web Exclusive: Schieffer Talks About The Value Of News

Web Exclusive: Schieffer Talks About Journalism As A Career

Web Exclusive: Schieffer Talks About His Other Talent