Soloist Rather Bids Goodbye To Chung

As Dan Rather began a new chapter as solo anchor of “The CBS Evening News” Monday, his deposed deskmate, Connie Chung, awaited her exit from the network where she spent 18 years.

“Before we say good night, some news about ourselves,” Rather said in closing Monday night’s newscast. “CBS News management has decided that “The CBS Evening News” should return to a single-anchor format. Connie Chung’s future with CBS News is still under consideration and discussion.

“If you’ll allow a personal note, though, I’d like to take this moment to wish my long-time friend and colleague Connie Chung good luck and Godspeed.”

Chung said she had no idea where she would land next and refused even to speculate.

“Everything that has occurred has been disappointing,” Chung said from her Manhattan apartment Monday afternoon, “but I have made my life in the news business, and all the time I was co-anchoring, my primary goal was to keep our partnership intact. I wanted to continue that partnership.”