RIP Cokie Roberts

PHOTO: Cokie Roberts conducts an interview at the University Club in Washington, Oct. 29, 2015.

Coke Roberts was a presence on America's television screens for more than forty years.

One of her regular tasks was to comment intelligently on public affairs. She did this with analytical skill and civility without becoming a bullying blowhard and without chasing after shocks. Instead she focused on adding value.

That isn't a bad legacy to leave.

Roberts was diagnosed with breast cancer back in 2002. She was treated at that time and, by all accounts, the treatment was successful. But cancer is a mean MF once it has its tentacles in you. It made an encore appearance this summer and she is said to have died to "complications" arising from that relapse.

Our class-act President chose to respond to her death with, "She never treated me nicely. But I would like to wish her family well." Of course it wasn't her job to treat the powerful "nicely."

Another good legacy,

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