Dec 13, 2009 9:58am
Thank You
EmailYou may have heard that tomorrow I start at “Good Morning America.”
It’s going to be a great challenge for me, and I hope you’ll tune in there too.
My only regret, as I head to New York, is that I won’t be able to continue our Sundays on “This Week” for very much longer.
As all of you know, this has been a special and important forum for discussing politics and public affairs ever since David Brinkley began the program almost thirty years ago.
It’s been a big part of my life too, and an honor for me to anchor “This Week” these last seven years.
I’ll continue on until a successor is named … so for now, I’ll just say thanks for sharing part of your Sunday with us.
We’ll see you next week.
–George Stephanopoulos
CPAC: Romney Struggles to Convince Voters 
Obama Backs Off Birth Control Battle?
Good luck in your new post. I may have leave Today behind. But what do you think about migrating from consistently weighty issues for a wholehour to hosting segments on seasonal food, fattie fashion, phony-of-the-week, fuzzy wuzzy animals, etc. as the GMA hours progress?
Posted by: Ellen Sander | December 13, 2009, 10:13 am 10:13 am
George
At our zine we call you Brute’ or Brutus for what you did to Bill Clinton – the man who made you. Many of us have not forgotten how you stabbed him in the back with your phony preachy nonsense. I wish you well – but one day you should apologize on the air to him – even if he likes you now.
Posted by: Jeff Koopersmith | December 13, 2009, 10:14 am 10:14 am
george, i was somewhat surprised by your announced departure from “this week”. for a long time i came to regard you as the pre-eminent political journalist and doing work nobody else was in speaking truth to power.
alas, i was wrong, and your departure can be summed up as “no great loss”. your broadcast aired on sunday, december 13th was a travesty. you interviewed larry summers. i’m watching it right now. rather than raising the real issues that need to be addressed you tossed soft-ball challenges regarding our decimated budgets and offered nothing more than a platform for his “recession is over, aren’t we awesome for ending it” b.s.
you had the perfect opportunity to take him to task for his humongous role in wrecking our economy and you failed, miserably. you’ve proven yourself to be nothing more than another talking-head mouthpiece who offers little more political theater.
enjoy your over-compensated tour on GMA. if you want to hold yourself up to a journalist who is doing what you should be doing, look to dylan ratigan on MSNBC.
Posted by: michael | December 13, 2009, 10:35 am 10:35 am
I’m just sick that in our Dallas-Fort Worth market, today’s “This Week” broadcast was pre-empted by coverage of a local marathon. I’ll plan to watch it online instead.
I wish you all the best, George. You’ve done a marvelous job with “This Week,” and I know you’ll do a fabulous job on GMA, too. I hope you don’t lament the days of serious political reporting when you’re playing to the GMA studio crowd and doing the occasional lightweight morning segment! I suspect I may occasionally lament it, myself, but I’ll try to suck it up. I once heard Peter Jennings sing your praises as a reporter, and I trust he won’t look down and cringe when he sees you reporting from a cranberry bog during Christmas season!
Will be watching you regularly with coffee and morning chores. Enjoy your new gig, and here’s hoping you have an easy adjustment to that 4 a.m. wakeup time!
Posted by: Kellybelle22 | December 13, 2009, 10:47 am 10:47 am
A classic lose-lose decision. Bad for George, bad for ABC. Good luck to both.
Posted by: demos menegakis | December 13, 2009, 10:54 am 10:54 am
Just a brief comment on George’s performance today on ABC.
George you should listen to Arianna instead of interrupting her (and everybody else for that matter). i know you think its your style and you are so smart but the way you behave is embarrassing – and is not Arianna embarrassing you – you should learn to LISTEN….look atGeorge Will and learn…it takes time and is not easy. hope this message reaches you busy man but it was embarrassing watching your performance today towards Arianna Huffington one of the smartest and with a bone in the media.
Posted by: arthur dimas | December 13, 2009, 10:54 am 10:54 am
George:
I am a “Jack Kemp” conservative, that is fiscally conservative and socially responsible.
Your show this morning was a wonderfully balanced presentation with exactly the right guests. Superb job!
You will be missed on “This Week”. I hope that you can bring the same balanced fact gathering (rather than the fact manulipulation that some of your peers on toher stations employ) to Good Morning America.
If only the electorate and the elected leaders of our Country woudl listen closely to your guests of this morning. We could many more challenges and raise the employment level on main street more quickly.
Best wishes to you George and God bless!
Mark
Posted by: Mark Hamister | December 13, 2009, 11:20 am 11:20 am
Huh??? George leaves the best job in the world for GMA??? I ran a political blog, Sunday Morning Talk, for a short period, interviewed George on one issue and was always impressed with the calibre of the ABC staffers behind the scenes whom I dealt with. They built a great show and he has been a solid, serious frontman for that show.
From a broadcaster’s point of view, I get the decision. GMA has a much bigger and different audience with very high ad rates and it will dramatically heighten his visibility and broaden his appeal.
If the eventual goal is ABC evening news anchor, this is a good step. But, for someone with politics and Washington in his blood, this will have to be a big adjustment. Would have been a great niche job for the next 20 years, but guess he didn’t want it. This will definitely take the Sunday news shows down a notch.
Good job, George.
Posted by: Rory | December 13, 2009, 11:22 am 11:22 am
I’ll miss seeing you each Sunday morning.
Good luck with GMA. I hope to see you doing the Evening News in a few years.
Thanks for your excellent insight and analysis.
good luck!
Posted by: Gus | December 13, 2009, 11:41 am 11:41 am
I really enjoy this news show great, interesting guests and the Host is teriffic. However, this moring I noticed on the section ‘IN MEMORIAM’ you listed civilians passing ahead of the Military Killed in Combat. Shame on you. These kids died defending their nation. Putting them last on your list I feel shows a lack of respect not only for them but also to the military. I am proud of the fact you do list them in this portion of your show. As far as ui know you are one of two shows on TV that take the time to list the Military killed. Thanks for your show.
Posted by: Tommy Anderson | December 13, 2009, 12:20 pm 12:20 pm
I am so sad at your impending departure from the This Week show. My Sunday mornings will not be the same. I wish you the best of luck in your move. Maybe you can continue with This Week via teleconference??
Sue
Posted by: Sue | December 13, 2009, 12:21 pm 12:21 pm
I’ve been a faithful watcher of This Week for years. When George arrived as anchor of the program, I questioned his Clintonist ideology. Over the years, he has proven to bring out coded messages of politicians into real talk. His savvy, preparation, drill down style will be missed. Hope that going to Good Morning America is a career move. I’ll miss George Stephanopolous!
Posted by: Ray T | December 13, 2009, 12:26 pm 12:26 pm
George and Robin have the chemistry of a turnip.
Posted by: CW | December 13, 2009, 12:27 pm 12:27 pm
Good luck George – I think that this is a temporary move to prepare him for the evening news or Nightline.
Posted by: DM | December 13, 2009, 12:45 pm 12:45 pm
So George; how does it feel to be demoted to morning show ****? Nobody watches those stupid shows you know. I guess you had a good contract that they don’t want to break. I doubt very much that they will find a good replacement. The views at ABC are too narrow.
Posted by: YBird | December 13, 2009, 1:02 pm 1:02 pm
My liberal and conservative friends and family members have agreed have agreed on one thing:This Week has been one of the best news and commentary show on television. So, from whose infinite wisdom comes the decision to move the man most responsible for such smart and stimulating discussion to a show about diets, celebrities, and health scares.
No Tim Russert and now no George. Another TV-free day for me.
Posted by: KBergin | December 13, 2009, 1:15 pm 1:15 pm
Congratulations George! – I will miss you very much, on Sunday mornings, you program has been a great forum.Has been a great point of view to consider in observing the biger picture ! Respect your journalisim !
We’ll be watching you, from time to time on GMA.
Best of luck
Posted by: MARIA | December 13, 2009, 1:25 pm 1:25 pm
You have big shoes to fill, but I know you won’t let the viewers down. And remember, Don’t be mean to the producers! ;) Good luck in your new endeavor.
Posted by: Felicia | December 13, 2009, 1:43 pm 1:43 pm
George, You’ve done great and will continue to do great.
Posted by: chris | December 13, 2009, 1:43 pm 1:43 pm
This is a huge loss. With the exception of the occasional ramblings by Sam Donaldson, this was the best Sunday show—-respectful, balanced and no shouting. Great job this morning attempting to get Summers to say anything of substance. You still have 12 hours + to reconsider.
Posted by: Bob | December 13, 2009, 1:45 pm 1:45 pm
Saw the show this morning..
I am embrassed that the Federal Gov.
has a person like Larry Summers on their payroll.
He can not say a complete sentence
with “Ahh” being everyother word.
Good Luck on GMA
Posted by: Carolyn | December 13, 2009, 1:54 pm 1:54 pm
Good luck George S, long live George Will.
Your a smart, ambitious person. I’ve seldom agreed with the way you’ve leaned left.
One question on your Memorial page to veterans killed in service to our country, did the back round color change from black to right when Obama took office. Subtle manipulation?
Posted by: Elliott Widaski | December 13, 2009, 2:02 pm 2:02 pm
You are the best of the Sunday news programs. You’re also young enough to do both and be great at it! Best wishes.
I wish you and your family a wonderful new start for 2010!
See you in the morning, George!
Posted by: Kathy Delaney | December 13, 2009, 2:49 pm 2:49 pm
George: Best of luck with your new duties at GMA!! You will do very well! This new venture will expand your horizons and we, the viewers will see a new side of you.
Posted by: Mhilda | December 13, 2009, 3:01 pm 3:01 pm
I will have a hard time watching ‘This Week’ in the future without you George! It’s the only way, I start my Sunday! You are a superstar in this position, and have really brilliant foresight with the questions you pose, in getting your panel discussions to reach different conclusions; so that all viewers whatever their political beliefs, can actually step back and say – I have never thought of that position in that manner before. This allows the viewer to become more open-minded in reality of issues that tend to be twisted by the other media opinions. Frankly, in my opinion, you should have easily gotten the anchor spot after Charlie because you can deliver everyday evening news with true urgency and believeability. Diane Sawyer has a softer delivery of information which will draw in the viewer with compassion, but I don’t believe she could hit harder issues like you can. Good luck with your future endeavors. You will succeed because you will always have faithful followers from ‘This Week’. I think you should be a special correspondant on political issues for GMA, and you will be in your element!
Posted by: Amy Walker | December 13, 2009, 3:38 pm 3:38 pm
GEorge: Good Luck to you in your new adventure…and it will be an adventure. Keep up being the interviewer you are and I will miss you on This Week as it was one of my favorite shows. Try not to have Lynn Cheney too often as she is not one of my favorite people nor does she have any relevence to situations as they stand now. Her opinions are just that…hers.
Posted by: talmag | December 13, 2009, 5:10 pm 5:10 pm
GMA? Tell me it ain’t so. When it comes to politics and public affairs, This Week is loosing one of the finest minds in television today. Let’s hope your replacement has the skill to be as balanced and the good sense to keep George Will at his right hand.
Posted by: Joe | December 14, 2009, 7:06 am 7:06 am
I will miss George, too. I cannot imagine the show without him, although I once felt that way about David Brinkley. I will continue to watch the show as long as ABC does not put someone like Jake Tapper in his place. I found his reporting during the last presidential election to have a sexist bias and I generally change channels whenever I see him on TV. All the best, George, although I can’t for the life of me understand why going to an entertainment program is an attractive change to you from moderating a program like This Week.
Posted by: Carol Carter | December 14, 2009, 9:44 am 9:44 am
Thanks for all your contributions, George. It has been fun, and I wish you great success at GMA.
Posted by: Rick McDaniel | December 14, 2009, 9:47 am 9:47 am
I would like to say that Mr. Brinkley and yourself have done a wonderful job…..I started watching the show 30 years ago….
Posted by: rotanjim | December 14, 2009, 10:50 am 10:50 am
The first question out of my husband’s mouth was, “He isn’t leaving Sunday Morning, is he???” Your show provides the most thorough coverage of the weeks’ news events. We call it “The Georges.” You will be sorely missed in our household. Will look forward to seeing how this wonderful show and panel will evolve. Best wishes on GMA.
Posted by: Carol | December 14, 2009, 11:06 am 11:06 am
George,
“This Week” will never be the same without you. We wish you success at GMA where we will definitely tune in!
Best of luck to you and your family!
Posted by: Chris | December 14, 2009, 4:51 pm 4:51 pm
George.. Lets be real… how can you think that good morning america is a step up from this week?
….
I just do not get it. .. it must be $$$ .. cause it does not register any other way to the public and your past up to this point???? whast gives????
Posted by: delores curtis | December 14, 2009, 11:44 pm 11:44 pm
This week is one of the most thoughtful, important news discussions on TV. I only wonder why you would choose to do something else?
Posted by: Anita | December 15, 2009, 8:54 am 8:54 am
Hey George,
I am pretty sad as I heard that you gonna leave This Week Show. I was following you closely and watching your TV show every Sunday from Egypt sex years ago. Please, rethink again about your decision. I can not imagine to find anybody else on Sundays rather than you!
Posted by: Ahmad Abdel Tawwab | December 15, 2009, 5:11 pm 5:11 pm
George,
You made a comment regarding the Prime Minister of Italy’s security saying, “I can’t believe his security guards let some one get that close to him.” George,I can’t believe the United States secret service not only allowed someone in the White House. The couple was allowed to take pictures with the President and Vice President. The Prime Minister of Italy had a bloody nose. The situation in the White House could have been worse. How about following up on that story and let the American people know what is being done to protect our officials. I can’t believe we haven’t heard anymore about this.
Posted by: John Balducci | December 17, 2009, 3:05 pm 3:05 pm
I am so sorry to see you leave “This Week.” I’ve been watching it for at least 18 years now and it just won’t be the same. When you took over from Sam I had my doubts but you have done a great job. If George Will leaves that’s it for me!
I hope this is a good move for you. I think you should go directly to Charlie’s job! Has ABC lost their mind? Those morning shows are a waste of time.
Good luck, George.
Posted by: Dianne Andriese | December 19, 2009, 7:21 pm 7:21 pm
George,
I’m a 60 minutes junkie and didn’t watch “This Week” with David Brinkley until you became the host. I have watched you religiously over the past 7 years. I am sad to hear of your decision to leave “tough news” for beefed up “entertainment news” on GMA. I think the decision will hurt your credibility as the chief political correspondent. A more serious format, such as something like PBS’ morning format, would be a move in the right direction for GMA. We can always watch Oprah or Martha if we want to know what the celebrities are wearing or how to bake a cookie. Please stick with what you do best.
Posted by: Andrea Mason | December 22, 2009, 8:17 am 8:17 am
Geoerge – I always felt you kept both parties feet to the fire. You’ll be missed – especially in light of today’s show! I don’t even need to look this guy up – he’s clearly partisan.
Posted by: Mike V | December 27, 2009, 10:38 am 10:38 am
George, good luck in your new job. By in large I believe you played it down the middle although at rare times you just couldn’t help yourself. Nonetheless we are very proud of you and know you’ll be a big success on GMA.
I though Jake Tapper did an excellent job this morning and hope he will succeed you on This Week.
Posted by: Bill Coutros | December 27, 2009, 11:07 am 11:07 am
Best of Luck to you George! I have enjoyed watching you every Sunday Morning and even recorder the shows that I miss. I am even happier to see Good Morning America when I wake up with my girl Robin Roberts. ABC will have the best of both world. GMA and ABC Evening news with Diane Sawyer! I am here in Bahrain visiting my Military husband for the holiday. I was hoping I would see This Week with George Stephanopoulos. The show was on but no George. I know you are going to do extremely well on GMA and I look forward in following you.
Posted by: Deborah | December 27, 2009, 11:27 am 11:27 am
Sorry to hear you’re leaving This Week for that morning airhead show, GMA. Do you realize your audience will be made up of people totally out of the loop, i.e., stay-at-home sob sisters, the elderly incarcerated in nursing homes, criminals incarcerated in prisons, the homeless, the unemployed? Did you realize you’ll be doing fluffy puff stuff, instead of providing critical news information and views to the people of our nation? I watched you for a few minutes on GMA and came away with the feeling that you looked and felt uncomfortable there. What a shame and what a waste of you. BTW, hope that whiner, Jake Tapper, is NOT going to be your replacement on This Week. Not only is his rapid speech and whiney voice irritating, his pronounced lisp is annoying and makes him difficult to understand. Goodbye ABC…I’ll be watching Meet The Press after George leaves This Week.
Posted by: Pearl | December 27, 2009, 2:53 pm 2:53 pm
I second the opinion that George should have gotten the evening news spot when Charlie left. George’s style and delivery of the news have the necessary ingredients to retain a serious and loyal news audience. I’ve switched over to the evening news with Brian Williams on NBC since Diane Sawyer took Charlie’s spot. BTW ABC evening news producers, tell Diane to sit up straight! She’s always hunched over or leaning to one side just like she did on GMA. Her posture just doesn’t compute on the evening news broadcast.
Posted by: Pearl | December 27, 2009, 3:03 pm 3:03 pm
I guess I won’t be watching ABC on Sunday mornings anymore. The “stand in” was TERRIBLE: he doesn’t listen. He sounds like a High school journalism student. And where was George Will???
Posted by: Jim | December 28, 2009, 12:06 am 12:06 am
I’m so dedicated to you and your forum; it makes my week! While I’m still a dedicated follower of GMA so, since you decided to leave ‘This Week’, can continue to see you on a regular basis. Since ABC is forced to replace you on Sunday mornings, Jake Tapper seems a good choice. Like you, he’s not afraid to get to the meat of an issue, but whoever ABC chooses, that person will have big shoes to fill. I can’t speak for your other followers but, for me, you’re truly a rock star!!!
Posted by: Sherry Rhodes | December 29, 2009, 11:11 pm 11:11 pm
Once again ABC’s choice by moving too many people around all at the same time is over the top. Charlie’s leaving with Diane to replace his slot, OK we can handle that. But to spin the wheel and move so many more you may have jeopardized viewers. George best fits with This Week or the Nighly News not GMA as a full time host. Yes the politcal voice of GMA sure. Oh well it’s disapointing as a viewer.
Posted by: April Quick | December 31, 2009, 8:48 am 8:48 am
OMG – This is the second morning with Terry Moran and I am depressed. I knew that George provided a good deal of the shows personality but I didn’t think the show would fall so flat. Mr. Moran doesn’t give the issues of the day the range of excitement or importance conveyed by George. This has been my favorite Sunday morning show for sometime – but it is quickly losing its draw. I will give Mr. Moran one more morning to pick it up. Can’t George discuss new recipes for low fat enchiladas during the week and still dissect health care on Sundays?
Posted by: rcsloop | January 3, 2010, 11:11 am 11:11 am
George,
I, too, am sorry to see you move to the much lighter venue of Good Morning America. You have been great at This Week as you clearly 1)have a passion for this type of work 2)significant related experience and 3)you moderate in a skilled, professinal and civilized manner. We shall miss you.
Jan M
Posted by: Jan Motl | January 3, 2010, 11:49 am 11:49 am
Hello George, I just learnt today that you have left This week show..I was wondering what happened to you. All the other replacements have not even come close to your professionalism. why did you leave? i am shocked that you chose to leave but all good things must come to an end. Good luck, me and my daughter will miss watching you..
Posted by: SUZIEWILLIAMS | March 10, 2010, 3:41 pm 3:41 pm