Journalists, newsmakers react to Mike Wallace's passing

Journalists nationwide hailed the passing of legendary investigative reporter Mike Wallace.

"He loved being Mike Wallace. He loved the fact that if he showed up for an interview, it made people nervous. ... He knew, and he knew that everybody else knew, that he was going to get to the truth. And that's what motivated him."
- CBS News chairman and "60 Minutes" executive producer Jeff Fager.

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"His extraordinary contribution as a broadcaster is immeasurable and he has been a force within the television industry throughout its existence. His loss will be felt by all of us at CBS."
- CBS Corp. President and CEO Leslie Moonves.

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"Mike was a great friend and a mentor to me. He even gave me a compliment once, and he was one of the real pioneers in television journalism."
- "Face the Nation" host Bob Schieffer.

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Remembering Mike Wallace, 1918-2012

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"Wallace took to heart the old reporter's pledge to comfort the afflicted and afflict the comfortable."
- "60 Minutes" correspondent Morley Safer, in an essay about Wallace.

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"I don't recall anybody ever saying to me, `He took a cheap shot' or `he did the obvious,' or that he was, you know, was playing some kind of game. He actually was trying to serve the audience and that's what made him great."
- Fox News Channel Chairman Roger Ailes.

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"Every Sunday night, America tuned in to see what questions he would ask and who would be exposed to his hard-charging quest for the truth. Mike's tough questioning inspired generations of journalists."
- ABC News President Ben Sherwood.

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Tough questions are being asked in Heaven today. RIP Mike Wallace
- Ann Curry, via Twitter

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"There is one thing that Mike can do better than anybody else: With an angelic smile, he can ask a question that would get anyone else smashed in the face."
- the late Harry Reasoner

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"My heart is broken today over the death of my dear friend Mike Wallace. My parents introduced me to Mike more than 75 years ago and we've been fast friends ever since. ... Mike was an old school journalist and one of the most astute people I've ever met. The news business will be a different place now, and our lives will be forever changed for having known him."
- Former first lady Nancy Reagan

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"My experience with Mike Wallace - integrity, charm, character. A great one goes home."
- GOP presidential candidate Mitt Romney

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"Mike was a giant in news reporting and analysis. His investigative reporting was legendary and his participation in '60 Minutes' helped created a lasting institution. Mike Wallace's life created a legacy young reporters will study for years to come. The Wallace family is in our prayers this Easter Sunday."
- Newt Gingrich, Republican presidential candidate and former Speaker of the House

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"A true original. What an amazing career and remarkable man."
- CNN correspondent Anderson Cooper

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"Mike's energy and nerve paced everyone at 'Sixty Minutes.' His was the defining spirit of the show. He bounded through the halls with joy at the prospect of the new, the true, the unexpected."
- ABC News anchor and former "60 Minutes" correspondent Diane Sawyer

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"Mike Wallace was a dear & wonderful friend. Not just a great broadcaster, but a great guy. We will never see his likes again."
- Former CNN host Larry King

[FairMediaImages]

Rest in peace Mike Wallace. May your fellow journalists fight to restore integrity to a deteriorating industry.

[alexandria1762]

Whenever there was a controversial matter and I saw Mike Wallace I would sit excitedly and say to myself, "here we go, Mike will get 'em. He'll get the truth out of them". Because if he couldn't, no one could. Seeking the truth was the essence to his reporting.

60 Minutes is our last link to the truth as I believe the networks restrain our reporters. The "no holds bard" of the Dan Rathers, Tom Brokaws and Walter Cronkites are gone. Mike Wallace was one of the great ones!

[skitbit]

Mike Wallace made the viewers feel like he had their back - that kind of journalism is seriously lacking these days.

[Saumyazone]

http://liveoncampus.com/wire/show/3364540
Here's one of Wallace's greatest conversations with the Emperor of Iran. One of his best ever.
A towering figure in journalism, Mike Wallace also should be remembered for courageously shining a light on the illness of depression.
RIP Mike Wallace.

[cclurman]

When I think of Mike Wallace, I always think of my dad, Dick Clurman. The two journalists were close friends and I always thought they gave off similar vibes: ultra-confident, super inquisitive, always the reporter — and both exuded certain natty warmth in person.

But they also had their differences. Wallace was TV (entertainment); my father was print (serious). Wallace reported as expose; my dad was into journalism as enlightenment. Wallace was master of the deft inquisition; my father was more debonair inquisitor. Wallace was wickedly competitive. My father floated above the fray.

Wallace always had enormous, perhaps even a little grudging, respect for my dad. For years, every time Wallace has a piece on 60 Minutes, he'd call my father after ask, "How'd I do?"

You did great, Mike. You will be missed.

[RillyKewl]

Mike Wallace's legacy will remain solid through time. He defined the art of journalism. We're all better informed for having had him all these years.

Thank you again, Mike. RIP.
Condolences to everyone at 60 Minutes, and to everyone at CBS News. Deepest sympathies to Mike's family and friends.

His work was legendary.
He was 60 Minutes.

[Carol Raphael BROSN]

Although I never knew Mike Wallace, I watched most of his first-rate interviews. For me, the singular outstanding program was his interview with the late great pianist, Vladimir Horowitz. Thank you Mr. Wallace. Deepest condolences to his family. Carol Raphael BROSNAN

[williamcerf]

"Journalists nationwide hailed the passing of legendary investigative reporter Mike Wallace."

I don't think many journalist hailed his passing. They hailed his life and his work. I don't know if he was one of "Murrow's Boys" but he was certainly an icon. Will any of the younger talking heads come anywhere close to Wallace? For the sake of our nation and our world, I hope so.

This is a day to reflect on what is GOOD about television news and the media.

[jgnv]

Your last sentence should have read....

"This is a day to reflect on what WAS good about television news and the media."

Honesty and integrity among news broadcasters is disappearing daily as the "old boys" are passing. Goodnight and God Bless Walter, Mike and Andy.

[RillyKewl]

... and Ed Bradley.

[jasoncsaki]

Too bad that after he "got to the truth" he failed to report those truths to the public. A spokesman for the media that has pushed the banking cartel's agenda of globalization is gone... A devil among us has passed.