As I recall, Donaldson was ABC's White House correspondent during the Reagan years. From what I've heard, Donaldson was always a typical pain of a journalist, but they liked each other well enough. Donaldson was always trying to scream a question over the sound of a helecopter on the White House lawn, and Reagan would just put a hand to his ear and ignore the question. This always got to Donaldson.
How can we not believe in the greatness of America? How can we not do what is right and needed to preserve this last best hope of man on Earth? After all our struggles to restore America, to revive confidence in our country, hope for our future, after all our hard-won victories earned through the patience and courage of every citizen, we cannot, must not, and will not turn back. We will finish our job. How could we do less? We're Americans.
http://www.presidentreagan.info/speeches/reagan_sotu_1984.cfm
The press gave Reagan a birthday cake one day in the press room; Reagan cut the slices -- and cut them pretty big. Donaldson said, "Mr. President, are you trying to buy us?" to which Reagan, after a moment's hesitation said, "Sam, you've been bought for a lot less."
The crisis we are facing today does not require of us the kind of sacrifice that Martin Treptow and so many thousands of others were called upon to make. It does require, however, our best effort, and our willingness to believe in ourselves and to believe in our capacity to perform great deeds; to believe that together, with God's help, we can and will resolve the problems which now confront us.
And, after all, why shouldn't we believe that? We are Americans. God bless you, and thank you.
Sam did once ask him a question about responsibity and Pres. Reagan replied, yes I have to take some as I was once a Democrat... whole place broke out in laughter and Sam sat down.
I believe during press conference prep, they'd have a cut out of Donaldson sitting in the proper place. Staffers would paint horns on him, or replace the cutout with that of some evil character. The relationship was definitely adversarial; Donaldson was like a bulldog.
However, since Reagan announced his deteriorating health, Donaldson has been less vitriolic and more kind in his assessment of Reagan the man, if not Reagan the President. If Donaldson was the worst the media could put up nowadays, I'd take it, that's for sure.
In short, Donaldson was the Helen Thomas of his day.