Rather is exiting in disgrace as CBS, owned by the pro-Democrat media behemoth Viacom, braces for the results of an internal investigation into his exploitation of fake National Guard "documents" in a bid to prevent the re-election of President Bush.

"We're all apprehensive," veteran CBS newsman Bob Schieffer said recently. "Nobody knows what this commission is going to find."

Schieffer admitted it was "a terrible mistake" for Rather to abuse the phony papers.

Rather, 73, said he would still be a correspondent for both editions of "60 Minutes" ... at least as long as they exist.

He has damaged "60 Minutes Wednesday" to such an extent that the industry's respected Broadcasting & Cable magazine has forecast its demise.

Industry insiders and media watchdogs believe that Rather is not retiring voluntarily but is being shoved out of the powerful position because of this latest scandal of his.

"The timing of this was to beat the investigative report," former ABC News correspondent Bob Zelnick told Fox News Channel.

Rather has long denied his notorious left-wing bias, but analysts have noted countless examples. He even seemed eager to expose his anti-Republican slant, such as when he spoke at a Democrat fund-raiser.

'That Kind of Reporting'

Rather and his corporate cronies refused to acknowledge his disgrace as they commented on his departure, apparently with straight faces.

"I have always been and remain a 'hard news' investigative reporter at heart," he claimed. "I now look forward to pouring my heart into that kind of reporting full time."

CBS Chairman Leslie Moonves alleged, "He has been an eyewitness to the most important events for more than 40 years and played a crucial role in keeping the American public informed about those events and their larger significance."

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