WASHINGTON/NEW YORK (Hollywood Reporter) - CBS won't have to worry about the House Commerce Committee poking around its handling of memos alleging that President Bush disobeyed orders while serving in the Texas National Guard during the Vietnam War.
Rep. Joe Barton, R-Texas, chairman of the committee, has rejected suggestions that his committee or one of its subcommittees look into the matter. While Rep. Chris Cox, R-Calif., asked Wednesday for a congressional investigation, Barton said late that night that it was inappropriate. The House Commerce Committee has jurisdiction over the broadcast industry.
"A news organization's responsibility is to facts and truth, but the oversight of network news generally is a matter best sorted out by the viewing public and the news media," he said. "I do not personally believe these documents are legitimate, and it seems clear that the press and the two presidential campaigns are properly dealing with that issue."
Quite right. CBS' drop in viewership will speak louder than any congressional investigation.