Friday, June 13, 2008

Tim Russert dead at 58

Tim Russert, NBC News’ Washington bureau chief and the moderator of “Meet the Press,” died Friday after being stricken at the bureau, NBC News said Friday. He was 58.

This is shocking on so many levels, not the least of which is that 58 is a young man. Rest in peace, Mr. Russert. You will be missed.

8 comments:

Fran said...

Rest in peace. I did not always agree with him, but I feel sad that he passed at such a young age.

I feel for his family - it is important to remember, often a challenge to do so, that we are all human.

DivaJood said...

It's finally sinking in. I watched MSNBC off and on since I heard the news - actually had to stop watching when they showed clips of Russert in a Cubs jersey throwing out a first pitch.

Russert's eyes always shined with his enthusiasm for politics - his working class demeanor made him accessible and believable. I realized while watching I trusted Russert the same way I trusted Walter Cronkite. It's that unbiased approach to everyone he interviewed - he was tough, but fair.

He seemed full of life, and I can't imagine Meet the Press without him; I can't imagine the Convention coverage without him; I can't imagine election day without him.

My heart goes out to his family. I feel deeply for his son.

Steve Bates said...

It was not lost on me that I am a year older than Russert was. But what struck me most was the reaction of his colleagues. One expects all the usual praise when someone dies untimely, but watching Tom Brokaw struggle to hold his voice together as he announced Russert's death, and seeing Keith Olbermann choke up as he spoke of some bit of personal history between himself and Russert, spoke volumes: one does not grow tearful about the passing of someone one merely respects professionally.

I had my differences with Russert, but I'll let those pass now. The news will never be the same without him. R.I.P., Mr. Russert, and heartfelt condolences to his family.

jmsjoin said...

Yes Tim was one of the good ones. He will be missed. When it happens totally unexpected as his death dead it makes you remember how fragile your own life is. R.I.P. Mr. Tim Russert!

DivaJood said...

Steve, exactly. I will be 60 in October - it's just unsettling. But yes, watching Olbermann and Brokaw yesterday was incredibly poignent. It spoke volumes about Russert as a person. I think, though, on the upside, that he was a man who lived his life to the fullest. That's an example to all of us.

Jim, he was one of the good ones. I agree, the unexpected nature of it was stunning. When Peter Jennings died, it was not unexpected - he'd been sick for a long time and people knew it was coming. Russert, wow. Just, wow.

Utah Savage said...

Oddly his death really got to me. I wrote a Father's Day piece because Russert's death hit so hard and so close on my birthday.

All-Mi-T [Thought Crime] Rawdawgbuffalo said...

a shame is all i can say
he was innovative
and i will always remember him 4 the ridgehand with the pen in it when he asked a question

thanks for the drive by and accolades folk

DivaJood said...

Utah, you are not alone - I feel just incredibly sad, but also quite aware of my age and mortality. But his love for his father and his son sort of set him apart in a political world that easily eats families alive.

Torrance, it is a shame. And yes, the pen. Also his low tech way of getting to the numbers, and in politics, the numbers matter. Thanks for coming by, don't be a stranger.