Schieffer on his 20 years at "Face the Nation"

2011 marks my 20th year as moderator of "Face the Nation," and as I skimmed the archives this week I realized just how many broadcasts - more than a thousand - and how many haircuts have gone by since that first one.

This week some of those who have been on the broadcast during those years will join us at a Washington gathering.

They won't all be there, of course. There were literally thousands - senators, presidents, ball players and sports officials who talked to us everywhere, from this studio to the floor of political conventions to the Super Bowl (our only broadcast that included a blimp shot, by the way).

Over the years, we've made a lot of news, we have been parodied, and we have been a place where Washington's key newsmakers talked to each other and, more importantly, to the American people.

We are the second-oldest program on television; "Meet the Press" is the oldest. When my late, great friend Tim Russert took over that program he said anchoring a Sunday talk show was like being given custody of a national treasure.

I couldn't have said it better.

In the midst of a communications revolution, we have changed the least. No bells and whistles - we just sit the key newsmakers down, turn on the lights, and ask them questions.

Millions of you still believe it's important to hear their answers. We thank you for that, and for having us in your home all these years.

[olivj22]

Mr. Schieffer's recent attack on Rick Santorum once again reveals his bias political views.

[dollarbill5877]

I watched Face the Nation for the first time in years this morning. I was appalled to see how bad Schieffer is. He is a bumbling, old man with little grasp of the issues. He should be put out to pasture before he embarrasses himself further.

[endrepubs]

Schieffer was good for his day, but he did let the neo-cons off the hook. He went really easy on them. Hard hitting reporting from the 70's seems to have given in to soft questions. When a good reporter smells something rotten, he/she is supposed to air it, investigate and expose it for what it is.

[dantom39]

A far left loon.

[dogco21]

We seem to of the same era age wise , I see you can still play soft ball, man did u let the x veep off . It's time to call it quits, you have lost it big time!!!! Instead of keeping bees like Holmes, you might go to cleaning up the chicken coop you moved into.

[busterdawggy]

I doubt Mr. Schieffer gives a rat's butt what you think.

[dogco21]

Maybe it's time for him to tell the truth!!
Mat. 10:36

[mary-miami]

Thank you Mr. Schieffer, for a job well done! Hoping to see the program on for many more years.