Cokie Roberts, Sam Donaldson together again for new politics show

They’re reuniting, and according to Sam Donaldson and Cokie Roberts, it feels so good.

The veteran journalists, who co-anchored ABC’s “This Week” together for more than five years in the late ’90s after David Brinkley retired, are teaming up once again to host “Primary Issues” on RLTV. The show examines the 2012 presidential candidates and matters facing the 50-and-older crowd.

{mosads}Donaldson was quick to heap praise on his longtime professional partner, saying, “My mother is deceased and next to my wife, Jan, Cokie’s my next girl. Working with her as long as I have has been a real joy.”

The anchor also revealed that, at 77, he has just signed a new two-year contract with ABC News. Donaldson, who has covered nearly every party convention since 1964, says he doesn’t always feel his age, “Some days I get up and I think I’m not 77, I’m 35 or 40. Other days I get up, and I’m creaky and saying, ‘Can I have a cup of coffee?’ ”

But he acknowledges that if his memory starts to slip, he would rather bow out gracefully than be wheeled off the television set, saying, “One of the most regretful things is some of my colleagues getting up in years desperately trying to hold on. They can’t stand to think they’re no longer the anchor of this, or the chief of that, or what have you.”

Roberts calls the golden years a stage of life that gives her a “wonderful sense of accomplishment.” The political commentator and author’s parents were both House Democrats: “I’m the only member of my original, nuclear family that hasn’t run for Congress.”

Roberts started in journalism more than 40 years ago: “I joke that I was on [Washington’s NBC station] in my 20s anchoring the Sunday show when TV went from black and white to color, and everyone was so upset. Then, when I was in my 60s, and they went from analog to high-definition, I understood what their problem was!” Roberts adds, “I don’t think anyone in their 20s imagines being in their 60s.”

“Primary Issues” runs through Thursday on RLTV.