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« Roush Dispatch
Remembering Tim Russert, TV's Political Enthusiast
Tim Russert by Virginia Sherwood/MSNBC Photo
The sudden and shocking death on Friday at 58 of Tim Russert, NBC’s Washington bureau chief and since 1991 the famously tenacious moderator of Sunday morning’s iconic Meet the Press, leaves a tremendous void in TV’s political landscape during one of the most historic presidential contests ever. Few figures have loomed as large during political seasons in the modern TV era as Russert, with his brash and infectious enthusiasm for politics, his dogged interrogation techniques and, as NBC anchor Brian Williams noted affectionately (from Afghanistan, where he’s on assignment), his “aggressively unfancy” manner.
TV Guide once selected Russert’s use of a white eraser board on 2000’s historic and inconclusive presidential election night, brandishing the words “Florida Florida Florida” in a low-tech display of uncanny foresight, as one of the “100 Most Memorable TV Moments” in TV history. Time Magazine recently named him one of the 100 most influential people in the world.
Tom Brokaw, remembering his friend and longtime partner on MSNBC Friday afternoon, was visibly and understandably moved as he told viewers, “We cannot believe that he’s gone, that we’ve lost his voice, and that this country has lost this premiere political journalist and analyst—a man who had such passion for politics, in part because he believed that politics really are the DNA of this country, they define who we are at any given time.”
In the most fabled journalistic tradition, Russert died with his metaphorical boots on, at work, collapsing in the Washington bureau as he was recording voice-overs for this Sunday’s edition of Meet the Press. He was nearly ubiquitous on NBC’s news channels, happy to devour and analyze every detail of every breaking political story from morning to night. He was renowned for his extensive preparation and research for each Meet the Press encounter. Williams, noting that Russert’s dedication to the job and to his family meant he eschewed most of Washington, D.C.’s busy social life, said, “People knew not to ask this guy out on Saturday nights.”
Unpretentious and unrestrained in his zeal for democracy, an Irish bulldog who dug for the truth in every candid interview, Russert was one of those broadcasters who so loved what he did that it was impossible not to succumb to the force of his personality. The rest of this year’s race to the White House just won’t feel the same without him.
Use our Online Video Guide to remember Russert's fine work.
More on Russert:
• Brokaw to Tribute Russert on June 15 Meet the Press
• TV Guide's Last Interview with Tim Russert
• Meet the Press' Tim Russert Dead at 58
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Jun 13, 2008 5:22 PM
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Tim Russert's death is nothing short of tragic. Where will we ever find a TV news journalist of his caliber again?
The world is a bit sadder today.
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Jun 13, 2008 5:45 PM
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The news and political arena will be forever changed by this tragic loss. Tim Russert was an amazing man and truly a journalist that will be remembered for many years to come.
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Jun 13, 2008 8:05 PM
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Just an honest, good, talented man. His loss will be felt in the political and news arena...and he deserves more than the idiotic post of simone3.
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Jun 13, 2008 8:43 PM
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Tim Russert was by far one of my FAVORITE broadcasters of all time. My wife and I loved listening to him and seeing him on TV. We both always looked forward to seeing "Meet the Press" as well as listening to Tim Russert whenever he was moderating a debate or interviewing a Presidential Candidate, or dissecting Election results. Whatever he was involved in, he was brilliant in his analysis, clear in his thinking and extremely interesting to listen to! Tim Russert was believable. He was real. To simply say that he will be sorely missed is an understatement! I really feel that Tim Russert will not be able to be replaced. Not in this lifetime, no way! Not this person as he was so unique, so intelligent and quick-thinking. I recently sadly and unexpectedly lost my father with whom my wife and I were very close, at 84 years of age and the loss I now feel at Tim Russert's passing is almost as sad and almost as shocking and as that loss I still feel from the recent passing of a very close family member. Sometimes, it is hard to understand why these things seem to happen to us. I guess that we have to realize that we as human beings simply have no say in these matters and all we can do is to simply do our best to keep these very special people close to us in our hearts and in our minds. Tim Russert, you will be VERY missed by everyone, forever. You will hopefully be remembered by everyone forever. Thank you for the great years you gave to everyone while you were here with us on earth! God rest your soul. God Bless you and your surviving family!
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Jun 13, 2008 8:47 PM
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Tim Russert was by far one of my FAVORITE broadcasters of all time. My wife and I loved listening to him and seeing him on TV. We both always looked forward to seeing "Meet the Press" as well as listening to Tim Russert whenever he was moderating a debate or interviewing a Presidential Candidate, or dissecting Election results. Whatever he was involved in, he was brilliant in his analysis, clear in his thinking and extremely interesting to listen to! Tim Russert was believable. He was real. To simply say that he will be sorely missed is an understatement! I really feel that Tim Russert will not be able to be replaced. Not in this lifetime, no way! Not this person as he was so unique, so intelligent and quick-thinking. I recently sadly and unexpectedly lost a close family member with whom my wife and I were very fond, and the loss I now feel at Tim Russert's passing is almost as sad and almost as shocking and as that loss I still feel from the recent passing of this close friend. Sometimes, it is hard to understand why these things seem to happen to us. I guess that we have to realize that we as human beings simply have no say in these matters and all we can do is to do our best to keep these special people close to us in our hearts and in our minds. Tim Russert, you will be VERY missed by everyone, forever. You will hopefully be remembered by everyone forever. Thank you for the great years you gave to everyone while you were here with us on earth! God rest your soul. God Bless you and your surviving family!
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Jun 13, 2008 10:05 PM
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I'll miss his no holds barred interaction and his way of relentlessly ploughing through double speak to bring politicians to task. He wasn't the least bit intimidated by any of them yet treated them with respect at the same time. A rare sight on TV these days. Someone who wanted to find the truth -- and was willing to truly LISTEN to those he interviewed, rather than already working on his next question before the person had time to finish. He was truly interested in those he interviewed --
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Jun 13, 2008 10:18 PM
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I'm still in shock.
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Jun 14, 2008 12:06 AM
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That was lovely, Matt. Thank you.
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Jun 14, 2008 5:46 PM
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Still can't believe it. He was one of the good ones - honest, dedicated and someone you could relate to. He always conducted himself with grace and dignity. I feel for his family and friends - he will be missed!
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Jun 14, 2008 6:47 PM
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I agree that this election year will not be the same without Tim Russert!
Let all say a prayer for his family!
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Jun 14, 2008 8:17 PM
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He made politics seem less ugly, more civil. I didn't realize how much I depended on him until I heard of his passing. It makes me wish I would have listened more, if I'd known it would be gone so soon.
I will miss him during this election year - and election night will be sad this year no matter who wins.
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Jun 14, 2008 8:22 PM
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this is a real tragedy. this wonderful,smart man got my 18 year old SOOOO into politics! his candor and intelligence were such a motivational stepping stone for the next generation.(not to ignore OUR generation also) another great person, cut short. our prayers go out to his family. it just won't be the same without him.
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Jun 15, 2008 12:18 AM
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Matt -
Thank you for that lovely tribute. I believe out of all the eulogies I have read, yours and Tom Shales are the best.
It is such a shock that Tim Russert is gone. He was so much a part of everyone's Sunday morning, and the most honest and humble man who ever graced politics and television. He loved his faith, family and work - and was the first person friends and co-workers turned to in times of trouble.
My 85 year old Mom has advanced dementia and Alzheimer's. She has watched Tim Russert from the beginning on Meet the Press and will debate anyone in listening distance when the show ends.
And now she is as devastated as the rest of his TV family that Russert is gone so soon from this life.
Our TV family has lost one of the last hard-working and honest interviewers who refused to ever be nasty or mean to the people on his show.
There is now a gaping hole in the news and political community. Meet the Press and election coverage will never be the same.
We have lost a great moral compass.
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Jun 15, 2008 12:29 AM
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The great thing about Tim Russert is that when he commented on something or someone, you rarely knew which way he was voting. That is such a rarity on television these days. Plus, his levity in personal appearances away from Sunday AM television (Imus, etc.) was unique and refreshing. He deserved better and he will be missed.
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Jun 15, 2008 2:29 AM
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