'Face the Nation' Host Bob Schieffer to Retire this Summer

Legendary CBS anchor and host of "Face the Nation," Bob Schieffer, is calling it quits after 46 years with the network. The 78 year-old newsman, who has moderated the network's Sunday morning talk show for 24 years, announced at the Schieffer Symposium in Fort Worth that he will be retiring this summer. “Because this is where my professional career began, this is where I wanted all of you to be the first to know, this summer, I am going to retire,” Schieffer said at his alma mater, Texas Christian University. CBS News President David Rhodes sent out a staff email last evening in regard to Schieffer's retirement: Bob Schieffer will retire this summer. Our Chief Washington Correspondent and anchor of Face the Nation made the announcement here in Fort Worth tonight at TCU's Schieffer College of Communication. I know what you're thinking: Bob's thought about retiring before, is he really retiring now? And of course with his long connection to CBS News we'd be happy to learn that he's not leaving now-- or that he can be seen by our viewers in the future. But speaking at the annual Schieffer Symposium here with colleagues Gayle King, Holly Williams, and a large audience of students and friends from his home community, Bob said he wanted to end it where it began. He graduated from TCU and before long went to work at the Fort Worth Star-Telegram. Bob's been with CBS since 1969... Chief Washington Correspondent since 1982... and host of Face the Nation since 1991. That broadcast is in its 60th year and has never been better or more powerful, ranking consistently number one this season. He's been an inspiration and a mentor to so many colleagues-- and frankly, to me. You could see at TCU tonight how that inspiration extends to a wider community of reporters and editors and academics... Not to mention the example he sets as a father and husband with his wife Pat and his whole family here and elsewhere. It's not over yet. Bob will be on the air this Sunday from the Washington bureau. And for a number of Sundays to come. We'll have more to report soon about the plans for this important broadcast and for the Washington bureau as a whole. An important 2016 campaign season is beginning. But this is Bob's night and I hope we can all celebrate with him the remarkable achievement which is his career here at CBS. David It did not take long for the rumor mill to start churning out possible replacements for Schieffer. Only hours after the announcement, Politico's Dylan Byers revealed several candidates that CBS News is considering for the position, both in house (Major Garrett, Norah O’Donnell, and John Dickerson) and out (Jake Tapper and Jonathan Karl). However, Byers points out that both Tapper and Karl are believed to be under contract with their respective employers.

Fishbowl

'Face the Nation' Host Bob Schieffer to Retire this Summer

And the rumor mill is already churning.

Damon Marx

About

Subscriptions

Events

Publications

WORK SMARTER - LEARN, GROW AND BE INSPIRED.

Subscribe today!

Damon Marx