Journalists, political heavyweights pay respects to Cokie Roberts: ‘A pioneer for so many’

Journalists, pundits and political heavyweights from across the spectrum paid their respects to veteran journalist and political commentator Cokie Roberts, who died on Tuesday due to complications from breast cancer at the age of 75.

“Cokie Roberts will be dearly missed,” said James Goldston, president of ABC News, in one of numerous posts in response to her death. “Cokie’s kindness, generosity, sharp intellect and thoughtful take on the big issues of the day made ABC a better place and all of us better journalists.”

RIP Cokie Roberts, mentor, friend and one of my favorite people in the world.

Cokie attended 22 national political conventions — that may be a record — I had the privilege of interviewing her on the floor of her last convention. pic.twitter.com/C2ulOSya7f

— Jonathan Karl (@jonkarl) September 17, 2019

Cokie Roberts has died at 75. She was a warm person as well as a savvy journalist, analyst and Sunday co-anchor, product of a political Louisiana family, was gracious toward me as a young reporter. Sad news

— HowardKurtz (@HowardKurtz) September 17, 2019

I can’t believe it. The best of the best. I was her fan. She will be greatly missed. https://t.co/nNn391aY8s

— Megyn Kelly (@megynkelly) September 17, 2019

Cokie Roberts was kind. She disagreed agreeably. Cokie listened, offered advice, showed patience and poise, worked hard, put faith & family first. God bless. RIP. https://t.co/De5scz18ta

— Kellyanne Conway (@KellyannePolls) September 17, 2019

What a sad loss!@CokieRoberts, RIP.https://t.co/qPUSiGtBIg

— David Axelrod (@davidaxelrod) September 17, 2019

Prayers for family of @CokieRoberts who passed away today at 75. One of the women who made it possible for ME to have the career I do. #grateful

— DeborahNorville (@DeborahNorville) September 17, 2019

Cokie Roberts, RIP. One thing I noticed watching her on tv: Any time someone else used a bit of DC jargon, she immediately explained it for everyone else. She knew more than one world.

— Ramesh Ponnuru (@RameshPonnuru) September 17, 2019

So sad to hear this. Bestselling author, Emmy award winner, and veteran journalist Cokie Roberts has died at the age of 75 due to complications from breast cancer. She was a pioneer for so many and will be sorely missed.#RIPCokieRoberts https://t.co/4UIk4pURm6

— Katie Couric (@katiecouric) September 17, 2019

Roberts was a highly decorated journalist, winning three Emmys, an Edward R. Murrow Award and a Walter Cronkite Award for Excellence in Journalism, and being inducted into the Broadcasting and Cable Hall of Fame. She was also named one of the 50 greatest women in the history of broadcasting by the American Women in Radio and Television, and was named a “Living Legend” by the Library of Congress 11 years ago.

{mosads}Roberts co-anchored ABC News’s “This Week” with Sam Donaldson from 1996 to 2002. She also served as a political commentator and chief congressional analyst for the network’s “This Week” program during a tenure at ABC that dated back to 1988.

Roberts, who lived in Bethesda, Md., was also a contributor to PBS’s “The MacNeil/Lehrer NewsHour” and served as NPR’s congressional correspondent for more than a decade.

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Longtime journalist Cokie Roberts dies at age 75