In 1968 Lawrence was diagnosed with pulmonary edema , which caused his lungs to fill with fluid and put a strain on his heart . His colleagues became aware of the condition when he collapsed at his desk immediately following one of the broadcasts from the 1968 Republican National Convention in Miami Beach . Quickly recovering , he was able to continue working during his remaining three-and-a-half years and , as a sports fan , also began covering some athletic events and even personally served as the commentator for ABC 's coverage of the 1969 World Series . He was also a skilled moderator of political debates and traveled around the country in such capacity . During ABC 's coverage of the 1970 midterm elections , he served as national affairs editor alongside anchors Howard K. Smith and Frank Reynolds
1968 Republican National Convention
1968 Republican National Convention
Bill Lawrence (news personality)