This is not likely to quiet the rumors regarding Katie Couric's possible departure from the CBS Evening News, but the network announced today that one of its oldest stars, Bob Schieffer, will not be retiring after the 2008 elections as he's been saying previously.

Indeed, CBS won't say how long Schieffer's contract extension actually will last, and the 71-year-old anchor would only tell the Washington Post that he expects to host the network's political show Face the Nation for a few more years yet.

But this turn is much different than the tune Schieffer was singing back in 2006, seven months before Couric would come to CBS, back when he was expecting to ease off the anchor stage after Couric took the reins later that year.

Back then, he said he would retire in 2007: "I'm going to be 70 years old a year from now, and I've kind of set that as the place where I'm going to hang it up. I would guess long before then they're going to know who's going to have this job permanently. I had planned to retire last year, if the truth be known. I wasn't going to retire completely - I hope they can find a place for me on election night in 2008 - (but) I have reached the stage of my life where I want to spend more time doing other things."

But when early 2007 came, it also turned out to be the time of most turmoil for Couric's evening newscast, so he couldn't really leave then. Still, Schieffer also told the New York Times back in January that he would probably retire after the presidential inauguration in 2009.

So now they've gotten him to hang on for a few years more. Perhaps this time the network will use this time wisely, deploying Schieffer on both the evening news and Face the Nation while the network develops successors for both programs over several years.

Riiight. Who am I kidding?

Click on the link below to see the text of CBS' press release:       

BOB SCHIEFFER AND CBS NEWS ANNOUNCE

A NEW LONG-TERM AGREEMENT

            Bob Schieffer and CBS News have entered into on a new long-term agreement, it was announced today by Sean McManus, President, CBS News and Sports.  Schieffer is the network's Chief Washington Correspondent and is anchor of FACE THE NATION.  He will also continue to contribute to the CBS EVENING NEWS WITH KATIE COURIC and THE EARLY SHOW, as well as to CBS News’ political and Campaign ’08 coverage.

            "Bob has been an integral part of our coverage of Washington—and especially politics--for nearly 40 years," said McManus.  "He is one of the most respected journalists in our business and is a favorite with viewers around the country.  I’m extremely pleased that Bob will continue to play a key role at CBS News for years to come."

            Schieffer is one of the few broadcast or print journalists to have covered all four major beats in the nation's capital -- the White House, the Pentagon, the State Department and Capitol Hill.  He has been CBS News’ Chief Washington Correspondent since 1982 and has covered every presidential campaign and been a floor reporter at all of the Democratic and Republican National Conventions since 1972.  He began anchoring FACE THE NATION in May 1991.

            "I like working for Sean McManus and I have great admiration for his vision for CBS News,” said Schieffer.  “I am happy that I’ll continue to be part of his team for many years to come.”

            Schieffer has won six Emmy Awards, two Sigma Delta Chi Awards and is the recipient of the 2004 International Radio and Television Society Foundation Award and is a member of the Broadcasting Hall of Fame.  In 2002, he was chosen as Broadcaster of the Year by the National Press Foundation.  Schieffer is also the author of three books.  In 2005, Schieffer’s alma mater, Texas Christian University, named its journalism school in his honor.

            He has been a principal anchor for CBS News since 1973, when he was named anchor of the “CBS Sunday Night News.”  Schieffer joined CBS News in 1969.

            He was born in Austin, Texas, and grew up in Fort Worth.  Schieffer and his wife live in Washington, D.C.