Dan Departs: “Rather Had Held Out Hope…”

Dan Rather had hoped to continue “as a full-time correspondent for 60 Minutes,” Wednesday’s Variety says.

The Observer adds: “Till the end, Mr. Rather had held out hope, urging his three-producer team in recent weeks to submit ‘bluesheets’ containing story pitches for the fall season of 60 Minutes.”

And if he couldn’t have 60 Minutes, he “sought something akin to the deal NBC had made with Tom Brokaw in 2004:” A big paycheck, some primetime specials, and “an emeritus role that entitled him to do commentary and analysis.” Instead, he was offered “a tidy corner office” and “a modest stipend,” Rebecca Dana says…