“I want to root for everyone from the sidelines”

CNN political analyst Gloria Borger is leaving the news network after 17 years, and Wolf Blitzer has expressed his gratitude for her contributions to The situation room over the years.

At the end of Thursday’s Dec. 19 broadcast, Blitzer took a moment to thank Borger and recall her first appearance on his show, airing a clip from Sept. 13, 2007.

“Everybody stand back for a moment. I want to take a special moment right now to say ‘thank you, thank you, thank you’ to our Gloria Borger. Seventeen years here at CNN. This will be your last week here at CNN. You’re getting ready moving forward, and we want to wish you the very best,” Blitzer told Borger. “You and I go way back, in fact, your first appearance on CNN was right here in The situation room.”

The clip featured Blitzer host The situation room and address the subject of George W. Bush’s plans for the war in Iraq. Borger appeared on the show to give her a rundown on these plans, standing across from Blitzer in front of a circular table.

“Gloria, I speak for all of our viewers here in the United States and indeed around the world when I say, ‘Thank you, thank you, thank you,'” Blitzer told Borger after the clip.

Borger replied: “It has been pure joy. It has been an amazing 17 years. I’ve worked with the best people in the business (and) the best journalists in the business.”

The political commentator noted that in the clip, they used to stand for hours to host the show, unlike now, when they all sit behind a desk to give their heated take on politics.

“It’s been a great pleasure,” she continued. “I’m really going to miss the place, but I’m going to be CNN’s biggest fan and I’m going to root for everybody from the sidelines.”

See Borger on CNN’s The situation room in the video below.