Steven Roberts

EXCLUSIVE
  • Renowned Journalist & Leading Political Pundit
  • New York Times Bestselling Co-Author, 'From This Day Forward', and More
  • Named on of Washingtonian Magazine's “Top 50 Journalists"
  • Recipient of the Aspen Institute's Public Service Sector Award

Steve Roberts has been a journalist for almost 50 years, covering some of the major events of his time, from the antiwar movement and student revolts of the 60s and 70s to President Reagan's historic trip to Moscow in 1988 and twelve presidential election campaigns. 

A well-known commentator on many Washington-based TV shows, Roberts also appears regularly as a political analyst on the ABC radio network. 

 


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Past Hosts Include:
  • NCJW
  • United Jewish Federation of Northeastern New York
  • National Council On Teacher Retirement
  • American Association of Advertising Agencies
  • Citizens League of Greater Cleveland
  • University of Missouri-Rolla
  • Friends of IDF
  • Jewish Federation of Western Massachusetts
  • The Rosecrance Foundation
  • Vice President of AmSouth Bank
Rave Reviews About Steven Roberts
I wanted to let you know just how great Steve Roberts was and what a terrific turnout we had because people wanted to see him. He was fantastic!!! People did not want the program to end, they just seemed to want to stay to listen to him and ask their questions. He was great about the questions and was so sensitive to the people who were asking the questions. We literally had to end the program because we needed to get him to the airport on time. At the fundraising patron's luncheon prior to the program, he spoke about his book and his family and his life growing up in New Jersey and compared it to the Jewish community of Cleveland. He had obviously studied his materials that were sent to him about NCJW and mentioned our projects when appropriate. He was so unbiased in his lecture to the large group that most people could not figure out who he was supporting. He presented the facts in a very interesting and when appropriate, entertaining manner. We could not have asked for a better speaker for our opening major meeting. Approximately, 350 people made reservations to attend the program and then we had many walk ins. We were extremely pleased and have only heard positive feedback. He was truly a pleasure to listen to, especially in a presidential election year.

More rave reviews

"All of the comments I have heard regarding [Steve's] speech have been extremely positive. People have been very pleased that [he] had the interest and took the time to learn as much about our community...we throughly enjoyed having [Steve] in Hutchinson and would welcome his return at any time. "

-American Express

"We continue to receive rave reviews from our members about the high quality of the speakers and topics. Clearly, our success was tied to the quality of [Steve's] presentation and timeliness of [Steve's] subject. "

-Breakthrough

"I wanted to write and tell you how very much we enjoyed Steve Roberts. We have had many calls telling us what a terrific lecture we had to end our series. Steve was an absolutely great speaker. He was interesting, extremely knowledgeable, generous during the question and answer period, and so charming. He had our auditorium of at least 1800 people listening to his every word. "

-Town Hall, Inc.

"[Steve] was outstanding! Steve was insightful, informative, and humorous. He was altogether delightful. We recommend him most highly to any prospective clients. "

-Romaine & Associates

"The blend of astute political insight and entertaining delivery made your presentation to State Street's client conference in March a huge hit. "

-State Street

"This letter is sent with my grateful thanks for your outstanding presentation at our Commencement Ceremony on June 3. It was our distinct pleasure and privilege to have you here to celebrate with our graduating class of 2000. You are inspirational individuals and role models as a couple. You are both artistically and intellectually gifted, and your sensitivity to the peoples in the valley provided unique podium magic for our University on a very special day. "

-California State University

"Steve and Cokie were fabulous - as expected. We scheduled them for the portion of the conference when everyone is saturated with legal information. They offered a change of pace and an opportunity to think about the upcoming election. They graciously accommodated our audience (about 1100-standing room only). Steve added a great deal to the program and the "back and forth" was consistent with a theme we had adopted for the conference."

-Gary Mathiason, Littler, Mendelson

"I would like to extend my deepest gratitude to you for being the Legislative Keynote speaker during our Annual Leadership/Legislative Conference. We have received countless calls and letters from the attendees expressing their appreciation to be able to get an overview of the upcoming elections and learn what it is really like to be one-half of the "most powerful couple in Washington." They definitely walked away from your presentation with a greater understanding of Washington and the political process—the purpose of our Conference."

-Club Managers Association of America

"Your visit to Raleigh last week on behalf of the WakeMed Foundation is still being 'talked about' by our many appreciative donors. We have heard compliments over the last week regarding your welcoming rapport, your enjoyable after-dinner presentation, and your candid insight into the political scene. I think you have made more than 600 new friends! Thank you for being with us and for making this year's fund-raising celebration one of the best we have had."

-WakeMed Foundation

"Your presence and your captivating comments contributed to making this year's program one of our most successful. It was very gracious of you to take the time to answer questions and visit with our guests at the luncheon. Thank you again for helping us to make this year's symposium such a success. It was an honor to have you with us. "

-Gloria Hill, Vice President of AmSouth Bank

"We were honored to have you as our guest speakers and want you to know that it was a pleasure to work with you. You are professional, articulate, warm, engaging, and extremely accommodating. The feedback we have received has been totally positive. The audience loved your stories and your light political humor. And they appreciated your signing so many books and programs. "

-Philip W. Eaton, President/CEO and Lynne D. Vass, Vice President/Development, The Rosecrance Foundation

"Thank you for coming to Springfield and making our major gifts event such a success. I have heard from so many people since Sunday night about how much they enjoyed your insights and your warm presence. I have a feeling there will be several more purchases of your books in the near future by Springfield area residents (including me). I will be certain to mention to my colleagues that you are an excellent choice for a Federation event. "

-Jewish Federation of Western Massachusetts
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Journalism: From the NYT to Twitter - Get Sharable Link
Talks & Conversations with Steven Roberts
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A View from Washington: The People and Politics of D.C.

A Washington veteran, STEVEN ROBERTS is a consummate political analyst and is well placed to explain the politics that dominate the news and affect the lives of all Americans. ...

A Washington veteran, STEVEN ROBERTS is a consummate political analyst and is well placed to explain the politics that dominate the news and affect the lives of all Americans.

My Fathers’ Houses

STEVEN ROBERTS talks about becoming an American and becoming a writer, and the forces that shaped the life of this leading political analyst. ...

STEVEN ROBERTS talks about becoming an American and becoming a writer, and the forces that shaped the life of this leading political analyst.

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Speaker News

Steven Roberts honors his late wife Cokie Roberts in his new book and speaks about her life and legacy 

Leading political pundit STEVEN ROBERTS honors the extraordinary life and legacy of journalist Cokie Roberts—a trailblazer for women—in his new book Cokie: A Life Well-Lived

Through her visibility and celebrity, Cokie Roberts was an inspiration and a role model for innumerable women and girls. A fixture on national television and radio for more than 40 years, she also wrote five bestselling books focusing on the role of women in American history. Cokie had many roles in her lifetime: Daughter. Wife. Mother. Friend. Journalist. Advocate. Historian. Reflecting on her life, those closest to her remember her impressive mind, impish wit, infectious laugh, and the tenacity that sent her career skyrocketing through glass ceilings at NPR and ABC. They marvel at how she often put others before herself and cared deeply about the world around her. When faced with daily decisions and dilemmas, many still ask themselves the question, ‘What Would Cokie Do?’ 

In this loving tribute, Cokie’s husband of 53 years and bestselling-coauthor STEVE ROBERTS reflects not only on her many accomplishments, but on how she lived each day with a devotion to helping others. Her commitment to celebrating and supporting other women was evident in everything she did, and her generosity and passion drove her personal and professional endeavors. In Cokie, he has a simple goal: “To tell stories. Some will make you cheer or laugh or cry. And some, I hope, will inspire you to be more like Cokie, to be a good person, to lead a good life.” 

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Books by Steven Roberts
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Press & Media
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Ideas for the Meeting Planner
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Biography

Steve Roberts has been a journalist for almost 50 years, covering some of the major events of his time, from the antiwar movement and student revolts of the 60s and 70s to President Reagan's historic trip to Moscow in 1988 and twelve presidential election campaigns. After graduating from Harvard magna cum laude in 1964, he joined the New York Times as research assistant to James 'Scotty' Reston, then the paper's Washington bureau chief. His 25-year career with the Times included assignments as bureau chief in Los Angeles and Athens, and as Congressional and White House correspondent. He was a senior writer at U.S. News for seven years, specializing in national politics and foreign policy. Roberts continues to write a nationally-syndicated newspaper column he previously co-wrote with his late wife, TV journalist Cokie Roberts. The column was named one of the ten most popular columns in America by Media Matters. In February of 2000 Steve and Cokie published From This Day Forward, an account of their marriage, as well as other marriages in American history. The New York Times called the book "inspiring and instructive" and it spent seven weeks on the Times bestseller list. Roberts also writes a bi-monthly column, Hometown, for Bethesda Magazine and is a regular book reviewer and travel writer for The Washington Post. His childhood memoir, My Fathers' Houses, was published in the spring of 2005 and was featured at the National Book Festival in Washington. In 2009 he published From Every End of This Earth, the story of 13 immigrant families and the new lives they've made in America. The book, which was also featured at the National Book Festival, started life in the feature writing course he teaches at GW and is dedicated to his students. In 2011 he wrote Our Haggadah (with his wife Cokie), which was featured on many national TV shows, including This Week and Morning Joe.

A well-known commentator on many Washington-based TV shows, Roberts also appears regularly as a political analyst on the ABC radio network and was a substitute host on NPR's Diane Rehm Show. As a teacher, he lectures widely on American politics and the role of the news media. Since 1997 he has been the Shapiro Professor of Media and Public Affairs at George Washington University, where he has taught for the last 23 years. His many honors include the Dirksen Award for covering Congress, the Wilbur Award for reporting on religion and politics, the Bender prize as one of GW's top undergraduate teachers, and four honorary doctorates. He's been named a Father of the Year by the Father's Day Council and received the Public Service Sector Award from the Aspen Institute. Steve and Cokie have two children: Lee, a banker in Raleigh, NC, and Rebecca, a program specialist for the Smithsonian Institution in Washington, and six grand-children. In his spare time, Roberts plays tennis and roots for his grand-children’s sports teams.


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