Scott Williams: The death of Cokie Roberts is a loss for journalism and for all of us

In the nation's capital, an old adage says, "If you want a friend in Washington, get a dog."

The exception to this truism would be to have known Cokie Roberts.

Even if you were a young congressional press officer, as I was at the time, she would treat you with grace and respect, even though she was part of Washington's political and journalistic kingship. She knew the hardships and tribulations of the unknown who held Congress, and she expressed her gratitude by treating them with professionalism and compassion.

When you worked at ABC News, you could see Cokie up close and personal, who worked incredibly hard and was as good a competitor as anyone, but she never let her position or knowledge of Washington's inner nooks undermine her manners or commitment for the great journalism.

Contemporary Washington and a modern information company, often driven by technology rather than judgment, does not have a modern version of Cokie Roberts in it, and it is a loss to us all. She saw her fellow citizens assume responsibility for power, imperfect, fragile, ambitious, and dedicated human beings who strove to move the country forward, because it is our country and the citizens who lead it. This did not mean that she was holding her punches, but they were often delivered with a measure of context and knowledge that really informed rather than simply impressed.

In her universe of friends, I was only one point, but every time we spoke, she made you feel welcomed and seen, no matter your rank in the hierarchy political order of l & # 39; era. She knew that the young press officer might end up working for a larger person or occupying a key position in a future administration. So, while many personalities express their sadness following her passing, throughout Washington State and across the country, there are many people whose hearts she touched in the middle of their professional lives and who miss her right now. My last long conversation with her was at a wedding where we did not talk politics, but family; his advice on the children I cherish so far.

The type of journalism that she practices is an art, the ability to develop and maintain sources and relationships in the extremely transient nature of politics and government. She worked at a more personal time, where elected officials and covered people were not screened by the system, or simply tossed without polish into the public space via Twitter.

It's really a big loss for all of us because this intimate dynamic has not only helped the reporting, but also governed. Relationships and conversations, not Tweets and Likes, have helped to lay the groundwork for political debate and dialogue, to create a safe space for different ideas and perspectives, and to bring people together.

Cokie had advantages over other journalists, his family was immersed in American politics and history. She had access that others would not have liked. And she had first-hand knowledge of the inner workings of the capital, inaccessible to other journalists. Yet these donations made his work more difficult, his questions more precise and precise, and his judgment more nuanced.

Many great voices in journalism, politics and government are in the aftermath of Cokie Roberts' loss this week. It's a small American voice that adds to this chorus.

Scott Williams, originally from Utah, is a communications consultant in Washington, D.C.