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Bob Schieffer, host of the CBS news program "Face the Nation" and Hall of Fame inductee, poses at the Academy of Television Arts & Sciences 22nd annual Hall of Fame gala in Beverly Hills, California in this file photo from March 11, 2013. Schieffer will retire as anchor of CBS's "Face the Nation" program this summer, according to media reports April 8, 2015. REUTERS/Fred Prouser/Files Image Credit: REUTERS

Soon-to-retire Bob Schieffer says it was important for him to be able to walk away from Face the Nation while he could still do the job well.

The 78-year-old chief Washington correspondent of CBS News announced he’ll be leaving the job early this summer. He said Thursday he has no health issues he just thought he should leave while he still can do the job and throw a fastball.

He says he has a favourite to succeed him, but isn’t going to say who. He expects CBS to move swiftly to name a successor so that person can become established in time for the upcoming presidential campaign.

Schieffer has been with CBS News since 1969.