Big names pay tribute to Cronkite

Walter Cronkite's death is eliciting reaction from notable names across the country. Here's a sampling:

"For decades, Walter Cronkite was the most trusted voice in America. His rich baritone reached millions of living rooms every night, and in an industry of icons, Walter set the standard by which all others have been judged. He was there through wars and riots, marches and milestones, calmly telling us what we needed to know. And through it all, he never lost the integrity he gained growing up in the heartland.

But Walter was always more than just an anchor. He was someone we could trust to guide us through the most important issues of the day; a voice of certainty in an uncertain world. He was family. He invited us to believe in him, and he never let us down. This country has lost an icon and a dear friend, and he will be truly missed." — President Barack Obama

"As a pioneer in television journalism, he was a towering, respected figure. Many Americans heard it from Walter first that President Kennedy had died, or that man had walked on the moon. He is already missed." — former President George H. W. Bush

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"He was a great broadcaster and a gentleman whose experience, honesty, professionalism and style defined the role of anchor and commentator." — Leslie Moonves, CBS Corp. chief executive

"Elaine and I are saddened by the passing of Walter Cronkite. One of the most iconic news reporters of the 20th Century, Walter Cronkite brought some of the most significant events in history into living rooms across America. He will be forever memorialized as a pioneer in broadcast news, and remembered fondly by legions of Americans as one of the most trusted men in America." — U.S. Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell

"It takes someone truly gifted to make the entire country feel like he was a member of the family. We are all better for his pioneering work and the journalism world will forever be shaped by what he accomplished." — Steve Capus, president, NBC News

"For a news analyst and reporter of the happenings of the day to be successful, he or she needs three things: accuracy, timeliness, and the trust of the audience. Many are fortunate to have the first two. The trust of the audience must be earned. Walter Cronkite seemed to enjoy the highest of ratings. He had a passion for human space exploration, an enthusiasm that was contagious, and the trust of his audience. He will be missed." — Apollo 11 Commander Neil Armstrong

"What was so remarkable about it was that he was not only in the midst of so many great stories, he was also the managing editor of CBS News and the managing editor for America. Walter always made us better. He set the bar so high." —

Former NBC News anchor Tom Brokaw

"He was such a nice person on top of everything else. Generally you get in these fights, and you can't pick your allies. But if you had to pick an ally, then Cronkite was a perfect person." — Ben Bradlee, vice president at-large of The Washington Post

"America has lost an icon, our industry has lost its living giant, and all those who learned about the world from Walter Cronkite have lost an exceptional teacher." — Brian Williams, anchor and managing editor, "Nightly News with Brian Williams"

“We were proud to work with him — for him — we loved him.” — Mike Wallace, "60 Minutes" correspondent emeritus

"I will never forget our memorable visit together to Hanoi on the 10th anniversary of the fall of Saigon." — Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz.

"He was wise and good and fun. He was America at its best. We loved him dearly and shall miss him deeply." — Luci Baines Johnson, daughter of former President Lyndon B. Johnson and Lady Bird Johnson

"A call, a note, a compliment from Walter was pretty much the Nobel Prize for a young reporter." — ABC News' Diane Sawyer, who worked at "60 Minutes"