It was a total shock when the news came two days ago that NPR and ABC journalist Cokie Roberts had died of breast cancer at the age of 75.
This author and blogger loved Cokie Roberts, her reporting, her personality, her humanity, her decency, and to imagine her dying at an age when many others still thrive, was hard to take emotionally.
Roberts was one of the earliest female journalists, and a major contributor to the success of National Public Radio. She was on the Sunday morning news show on ABC for decades, and made the news much more palatable.
She was a creature of Washington, DC and the political establishment, as her father and mother, Hale Boggs and Lindy Boggs, were important figures in the House of Representatives.
She also published six books about women in American history, and was someone you knew you could rely on for accuracy and honesty in commentary.
She also warned us of the danger of Donald Trump, and she was so right on that, with Trump unable to say anything nice about her after her death, because everything is always all about himself, the malignant narcissist.
At the same time, Barack Obama and George W. Bush had commendable statements about Cokie Roberts, as both are men of dignity and class, whether or not one agrees with either President’s personality or policies.
Rest in Peace, Cokie Roberts, as you have made a major contribution to American journalism, and the equality and advancement of women, and the progressive cause!