NPR published a story Monday clarifying the role of longtime commentator Cokie Roberts after her recent public remarks about Republican presidential frontrunner Donald Trump.
Roberts called on the “rational wing” of the Republican party to mobilize against Trump in a syndicated column published in late February.
“If [Trump] is nominated by a major party — let alone elected — the reputation of the United States would suffer a devastating blow around the world,” she wrote. “Republicans of good will and good sense must try to stop him.”
Network executives became aware of the column after Roberts “sharply questioned” Trump on MSNBC March 9, according to the story. During that appearance, Roberts asked Trump if he was “proud” that white children were mocking children of color in his name.
But Roberts said her role as a commentator gives her the latitude to express personal positions. Roberts hasn’t been a full-time NPR employees in “decades” and she moved from a news analyst role to being a commentator several years ago, NPR reported.
Often have disagreed with Cokie, but have never lost respect for her.
Did someone tell Cokie that Reince’s previous answer to this current insanity was that it wasn’t what a candidate said about a topic that was important, but how they said it.
Someone needs to ask her to name one…
Cokie Roberts has been a shill for corporate Republicanism for decades. I don’t give a sh&t what she says or thinks. Neither should anybody who cares about what NPR used to be.
Wow, go Cokie! I also have listened to her calm rationale over the years even though she leans right 99% of the time. Still, I find it odd that she may be one of the very few card-carrying Republicans who may hold some sway over voters even though she is not a legislator. Heck, they are mostly too chicken to come out against the Trump monster.
Time for Cokie Roberts and Garrison Keillor to be retired by NPR. I’m no longer asking. I’m begging.