This is one of those discussions that I really wasn't sure which interest it belongs in but since he covered politics so expertly for so long I figured new of the death of Tim Russert belongs in "Politics" and that he'd want it that way.
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/25145431/
I had taken a walk to the pharmacy and just as I walked in the door my mom called to me with the news that Tim Russert had died; it had just broken on MSNBC and at first I thought either I'd misunderstood her or that she had misunderstood as people sometimes do at 91 years old. Sadly, I soon saw it was no mistake and I'm still in total shock! As most of you here on myLot know, I'm a total political junkie and anyone that fits that description has to include Meet the Press on their list of "must see TV". As a regular viewer of MSNBC I've come to feel like I know the regular commentators of hosts of both that network and NBC where news and politics are concerned. Tim was really in his glory during this never-ending primary season and I've no doubt he was anticipating with glee the general election campaign that's just getting started.
It's so sad to see someone who was so beloved and respected by pretty much everyone of any political affiliation or ideology take so prematurely. I'd like to extend my thoughts and prayers to his family, both his "real" family and his professional family and my deepest condolences for their terrible loss. He will be very much missed and impossible to ever truly replace!
Annie
[question posted by anniepa]responses and comments:
It is very sudden. It is very sad. He was a strong voice in the political world. I would have loved to see his take on the upcoming election. He will be missed. [ersmommy1]
After the 2000 election, the Smithsonian asked him to donate his dry-erase board (you know, "FLORIDA FLORIDA FLORIDA"?) but he declined and gave it to his son. [beeeckie]
I hadn't heard about this until now. I hate to hear that. He will be greatly missed by alot of people. May he rest in peace now. I would love to extend my thoughts and prayers to his family also. I know it must be a very hard time for them to go through right now. [stephcjh]
I am very shocked and saddened by this news. Tim Russert was only 58 and collapsed at work dying of a heart attack. I always liked his interviews. Yes, Tim was in his glory when it came to elections. Sadly he won't be a part of this year's Presidential election reporting. It just won't be the same without him. He always gave exciting and up to date reports. He will be missed. [barbiedollgirl]
Yes I know ... Tom Brokaw who was very close to Tim was having a hard time talking and was fighting back the tears. =( [barbiedollgirl]
I found out that Tim Russert died because of your post. I am shocked and astounded. No one looked in more perfect health than him. This is truly the most shocking news of a death I have ever heard. I was so sad that he went to work on MSNBC (sorry, I don't like this network) and now that I've heard the news of his death, it's even worse news than I could possible imagine about Mr. Russert. I suppose in hearing this news from you and the sensitive way you spoke of him, it was better than hearing it from any other place. My heartfelt wishes go out to his family and loved ones that they are comforted and consoled in the knowledge that he was a good and decent human being and the writing of his book portrays him as a wonderful son and father as well. Thank you for sharing your views about him. He and his family are in my prayers as well. Take care. God bless. [SueRod]
who is he? I've never heard of him bofore? [ashly1979]
thanks i will have to look that up that again for sharing this [ashly1979]
OMG What a horrible day. I told my husband and he couldn't believe. I liked him a lot. The news world will never be the same without him. Thank you for sharing this sad news [dizzblnd]
I'm not a political person, but I heard about it too and it's been on tv ever since. I am so shocked that this happened to him being so young. He is just one month younger than me.. we are the same age really. My heart goes out to his family and friends. [OreoCookie3]
Isn't it awful? It really "hits home" and makes us more aware of our own mortality. He seemed so young and vibrant, I guess the right word might be. I watch a lot of news, especially political news which was his specialty, so it seems like I knew him personally. He embodied what journalism should be all about and he had the respect of everyone from both parties I believe. He asked the tough questions and he didn't let up until he got an answer but he was fair of respectful no matter who he was interviewing and from what everyone is saying he was all about family and friends as well. His famous words, "If it's Sunday, it must be Meet the Press" rang very true in my house. Annie [anniepa]
I didn't see this post - I wish I could delete mine. Yours is much better. I'm so sad, he was incredible. And I know this might sound a little trite, but this election year will feel a little empty without his dry erase board. [lisan23]
Don't be silly, there's certainly no need to delete yours! It often happens that more than one discussion gets started about the same thing, especially when something like this happens. No, mine isn't any better at all! I responded to yours too. I feel the same way, the election year sure will feel empty. I have a feeling one of his many close friends from NBC/MSNBC will use that dry erase board in his honor! Earlier tonight Keith Olbermann said it somehow doesn't seem right to even HAVE an election without him. His loss will be felt by many, many people. They were reading statements sent from many different people as well as having many people on the air either over the phone or from different locations and it's wonderful how many people from both parties really loved and respected him and will feel his loss. He was very close to his fellow reporters on a personal level as well as professionally; Andrea Mitchell told of how he'd gone to her wedding and David Gregory spoke of how he'd call him when his (David's) first son was born and they talked for over 20 minutes about how great it was to have a son. This is sort of off-topic but then it isn't, but it's really got me down right now. A friend I've known for years and who was a few years younger than me (I'm 55) also dropped dead of a heart attack earlier today. His son was my granddaughter's "boyfriend" for a few months - she's 11 and he's 12. I keep having that awful saying about things happening in threes going around in my mind. You just never know and that's why we should all live life to the fullest and be nice to each other because petty arguments don't mean a thing in the whole scheme of things, do they? Annie [anniepa]
I am deeply saddened by this news. He will be missed by so many people. Its sad to hear of young people having a heart attack. I feel so bad for his wife and son on this hard day. My thoughts and prayers to them. [Fishmomma]
He was a very special reporter. He never let his political views interfere with his work, or bias/sway his work. He asked the tough questions of everyone who deserved tough questions being asked. He was also a decent human being... someone that might be described in Yiddish as a "Mensch." He will be missed. He should be the "role model" for ALL political reporters... sadly, he isn't. His death leaves a large hole that will not be filled for a long time, if ever. He's right up there with Murrow. [wyomugs]
It is sad that Tim won't be here physically, he will see history being made in heaven. [sarahruthbeth22]
I heard about this earlier. Very sad when someone dies especially so suddenly like that. It just goes to show you that you never know just when or how suddenly your time could be up. [Timothy31]
I have no idea who this is, but 58 that's SUCH young age. So sad. My own dad died, from a massive coronary, at age 47. Such a short life! [Irishfrndly65]
Annie, I was shocked at the news last night of Tim's untimely death! Although he and I were at odds many times over our politics I still had the utmost respect for the man! I enjoyed his commentaries and opinions and he tried to be objective despite his political leanings! Tim Russert will be missed terribly in American politics. Rodney [rodney850]
Hearing all the comments and condolences from members of both major political parties really proves what a fantastic journalist he was! I can't imagine us ever finding another like him; there are good reporters and commentators, sure, but few have the objectivity and the pure passion for their work that Tim had. Watching him talk about the primary season made me think of a kid on Christmas morning. We the voters are going to be the losers this election because who is going to ask the tough questions of the candidates and their surrogates in that unique way he had? Never disrespectful, never a sarcastic "gotcha" moment but just simple straight questions that he insisted on straight answers to and he usually got them. Who else can do that so how will we ever know we've gotten all the facts? Annie [anniepa]
I was very saddened to hear this news. He hosted the republican presidential debate at the university where I work, it was quite an honor. [lissavalerian]
What a PRO!! You would never know his political views by the content of his questions or his interviews. The only way I knew that Tim was a Catholic Democrat from the Northeast was by reading his bio. He was tough, but he wasn't a bushwhacker. Look around the dial at the so-called "broadcast jornalists" and you'll get an idea of how good Tim really was. Guys like O'Reilly and John Gibson, along with 75% of the talking heads couldn't carry his water. I really hope that he and his generation of newsies isn't the last of the professionals. The young, idealistic kids coming up in the political news biz have to look at Tim as a beacon of professionalism. The dog and pony shows like "the factor" and Geraldo are too popular and they're no good. This seems to be the direction of broadcast news and there has to be people who do it like Tim in order to keep some modicum of truth in a disintegrating medium. He was so excited over this upcoming election and that passion is really gonna be missed. [calcynic]
I was watching T.V. when they first announced it.It is not a happy thing to hear.But,God wanted him in heaven for His reason.I know that his family and friends will miss him very much. [dfollin]
This came as a real shok to my husband and I, since we so often watched Meet The Press, when we were "together" (I'm urrently in Canada and he's still working in AZ) and we will watch MSNBC when we are together again, next time I'm in Arizona. He'll be missed by his viewers. [danishcanadian]
I'm really going to miss this guy. Whenever a big political story broke, I always wanted to get it from Tim Russert. I can never remember what channel things are on and I hate channel surfing but if there was a breaking political story, I surfed like crazy until I got Tim. Election night will never be the same without him and his little board. [irisheyes]