Some might say the Dan Rather Era is already over at CBS News, so why are conservatives still bashing him? First, we’re going to see a lot of people (for example, former New York Times man Alex Jones in USA Today) insisting that this one eensy-weensy fraud last September shouldn’t sully Dan’s reputation for journalistic excellence. It’s important to note his record is, on the whole, a persistent set of liberal screeds transparently aimed at damaging Republicans in the public opinion polls. Look no further than what he’s been doing this week.

Rather led Wednesday’s CBS Evening News by touting their latest CBS/NY Times poll which found many opposed to President Bush’s Social Security reform plan and how a majority “say they would support raising the amount of wages subject to Social Security payroll taxes.” CBS ignored Fed Chairman Alan Greenspan’s latest comments in favor of private accounts, but denigrated the small conservative group USA Next with an almost-never-seen anti-AARP ad. Rather asked John Roberts: “Are there or are there not signs that this fight is going down the slime, smear, nasty road?” Sure. They could call it Dan Rather Boulevard.