Dan Rather

Social Study

Covering Hurricane Carla in 1961 got Dan Rather noticed at CBS. A heated on-air exchange with President Nixon made him a star. This month, as he marks 15 years at the anchor desk, Rather delivers the V.F. Proust Questionnaire

What is your idea of perfect happiness?

Friends and family, peace and tranquillity, and meaningful work to do anytime I want.

What is your greatest fear?

God and hurricanes.

Which living person do you most admire?

Jean Grace Goebel Rather, my wife.

What is your greatest extravagance?

Courtesy and fishing—can't have enough of either.

What do you consider the most overrated virtue?

The authentic virtues are never overrated, because they are so rare.

On what occasion do you lie?

Only to keep from hurting someone.

What do you dislike most about your appearance?

The infrequency of my smile.

Which living person do you most despise?

I'm not sure I despise anyone. There are some sinners for whom I pray more than others.

But I'm probably seeking an interview with them.

What is your greatest regret?

Not having done more for and spent more time with my late parents.

If you could change one thing about yourself, what would it be?

Better to change nothing if I could change only one thing— I'm just getting used to what I've got.

If you were to die and come back as a person or thing, what do you think it would be?

A better journalist—or an old hunting dog on the scent of something new.

If you could choose what to come back as, what would it be?

A wise man and a good reporter.

What is your most treasured possession?

Love.

Where would you like to live?

Anywhere the stars at night are big and bright, where the skies by day are blue and sunny, amid green forests and clean water—namely, in Texas.

What is the quality you like most in a man?

Courage.

What is the quality you like most in a woman?

A loving heart.

Who is your favorite hero of fiction?

Atticus Finch, Jay Gatsby, Huck Finn.

What are your favorite names?

Jean, Robin, Danjack, Judy, David—and Nacogdoches.

What is it that you most dislike?

Snobbery.

How would you like to die?

In peace and with honor.

What is your motto?

"Go tell the Spartans, thou who passest by, that here, obedient to their laws, we lie."