News > November 1, 2007

By Kevin Koehler | Online editor

About a thousand people came out on a cold, rainy night Oct. 18 to hear longtime CBS newsman Bob Schieffer speak at Wait Chapel for the Voices of Our Time series. The well-known journalist also spent most of the day on campus, taking the time to converse with students, faculty and local reporters.

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Bob Schieffer shares stories about his lengthy career in journalism and discusses his views on current political issues. (Kelly Makepeace/Old Gold & Black)

“I’m really sorry (my wife) couldn’t be here. She thinks nobody comes to these things,” Schieffer said at the start of the 7 p.m. talk. After a few moments, the 70-year-old stepped away from the podium and walked to the front of the stage, where he stood for most of the event, speaking without notes in his calm, distinctive drawl.

Schieffer began by recalling a number of humorous anecdotes from his 50 years covering national politics.

There was the time as a rookie reporter when Helen Thomas convinced him to accost former President Richard Nixon at a White House church service with an uncomfortable question. “Helen told me, ‘Nobody told you not to go up there, shake hands with the president and ask him some questions,’” Schieffer said.

There was the time he arranged a one-question “exclusive interview” for Walter Cronkite with former President Gerald Ford on the new flu shot – over the strong objections of then-White House Chief of Staff Dick Cheney. It was “the biggest scoop I ever got,” he said.

And there was the time as a boy he went to a Lyndon Johnson rally in Texas, when the future president was campaigning for the U.S. Senate. “The politician, for me, who had the most impact (on my life), was Lyndon Johnon,” Schieffer said. LBJ flew in on a helicopter, gave a rousing speech, then threw his hat to the delighted crowd as he climbed in the chopper and flew away. Years later, Schieffer met a Congressman whose job back then had been to catch the hat, run behind the helicopter and return it to the candidate. “Lyndon Johnson was the tightest man on the face of the earth,” Schieffer recalled him saying.

Politics and fun

Schieffer also called for specific Washington reforms during his talk.

“I love to tell (the LBJ) story, not just because I love to hear it,” he said. “It so underlines the politics of that day and the politics today. Politics used to be a lot of fun.”

He pointed to the rise of professional consultants as well the increased importance of fundraising and television as the root of a “broken” political system.

“I can’t remember a single commercial from the last presidential campaign. You know what, I’m glad that I can’t. Because it has nothing to do with the politics of the world,” he said. “I think, frankly, we can do better than that.”

Schieffer said he most wished for an end to the primary system for selecting presidential candidates, which makes money too important. Instead candidates should be picked at national conventions that really mattered. “It would put spontaneity back into politics, fun back to politic and people would watch.”

He further called for the end of the Electoral College, in which a few states have overwhelming influence, as well as an independent commission to fairly draw Congressional district lines, which are presently drawn mostly to keep few seats competitive. “The Congress has become an incumbent protection society,” he said.

Schieffer then turned briefly to current events. He named Hillary Clinton a near sure bet to win the Democratic presidential nomination and the Republican race too murky to see a frontrunner.

On Iraq, “When we thought Saddam Hussein had weapons of mass destruction, I thought the President had no alternative but going in and disarming him,” he said. A speedy and complete withdrawal of American troops he declared impractical and unwise. “It becomes a question about the neighborhood … Disengaging from Iraq is going to be a much more difficult thing.” He later commented that democracy grows only from within and cannot be imposed.

“The situation in Iran is extremely bad,” he added. “Iran is determined to build a nuclear weapon, I don’t think there’s any question about it … We’re going to have to find some way to try to isolate them and convince them.”

“What did I learn?”

In closing, Schieffer elucidated what he said he’s learned in his five decades as a journalist – the importance and power of peaceful American ideals.

“When we think about national security, we want to remember what really is the core of our strength,” he said. “It’s not weapons.” The Cold War was won when people in the east looked across the Iron Curtain and saw a better way of life.

Schieffer continued, “America has the most influence and leads best when it leads by example.” He called the 1964 Civil Rights Act the best foreign policy move we’ve every made because the world saw clearly who we were and understood our ideals. That’s how we most effectively use power.

“But to do that, we have to practice what we preach,” he said. “We don’t need secret prisons in our form of government. We don’t need torture.”

The audience interrupted with applause, perhaps the most enthusiastic of the night. “Always remember, it is American values that are the core of our strength. To understand what makes us secure, first we simply must reflect back on what got us to where we are and why we enjoy the place we have,” Schieffer concluded. “That’s my story and I’m sticking to it.”

He then took questions from the audience on topics ranging from healthcare to Stephen Colbert, whom he said he would not vote for but considered a great satirist who is “very funny.”

The gathered crowd was mostly community members, but included a significant number of students.

The event was taped by UNC-TV, to be broadcast at a later date yet to be determined.

Without a break

Throughout the day, prior to his speech, Schieffer had a full slate of activities on campus. He first did interviews with WFDD, UNC-TV and the local CBS affiliate WFMY.

He attended a luncheon for faculty hosted by Provost Jill Tiefenthaler, during which the university’s plan for the future was a topic of conversation.

Schieffer endorsed the idea of an Institute for Public Engagement.

He visited Associate Professor of English Wayne King’s History of Journalism class, where he gave advice for aspiring reporters and answered a barrage of student questions.

Then he sat for a book signing in Benson University Center and went to a reception with the Parents Council.

“From the moment he arrived, he talked all day. I don’t know how he did it,” said senior Chrissie Eckhardt, who followed him during the visit as a host, at the request of the university.

“He was so passionate, it was contagious.”

Many who met Schieffer during the day remarked on his humble, disarming demeanor. “He didn’t make anyone feel like they were talking to Bob Schieffer,” Eckhardt said.

According to the university, the appearance was made possible by a contribution from the Fort Worth, Texas based Amon G. Carter foundation and Kate Johnson, a Parents Council member and family friend of the Schieffers who convinced him to come.