Posted on 06/13/2008 3:06:42 PM PDT by radar101
Tim Russert, the Democratic operative turned NBC commentator who revolutionized Sunday morning television and infused journalism with his passion for politics, died this afternoon.
Russert, 58, collapsed while recording voiceovers for his Sunday morning interview program, NBC reported. He was initially reported to have suffered a heart attack while working in his office on Washington's Nebraska Avenue, but the network said later only that he was "stricken at the bureau" and subsequently died. Further details were not immediately available.
Russert served as NBC's Washington bureau chief and the host of "Meet the Press," the top-rated Sunday talk show, which had an enormous influence on politics and was marked by his aggressive style of interrogation. As a frequent commentator on the "Today" show, "NBC Nightly News" and other shows, Russert wielded such clout that when he declared that Sen. Barack Obama had wrapped up the Democratic nomination last month.
Russert's television career was marked by a voracious appetite for politics and a shrewd understanding of how politicians interact with the media. He also wrote a book about his father, titled "Big Russ and Me." Last week, he moved Big Russ to a nursing facility.
"He worked to the point of exhaustion so many weeks," Brokaw said, adding: "This news division will not be the same without his strong, clear voice."
Brokaw said Russert had just returned from a family trip to Italy with his wife, writer Maureen Orth. They were celebrating the graduation of their son, Luke, from Boston College this spring, Brokaw said.
Russert served as host of "Meet the Press" longer than any other person and was "one of the premier political analysts and journalists of his time," Tributes to Russert began pouring in as news of his death circulated.
(Excerpt) Read more at washingtonpost.com ...
Arkancide?
I wonder if the hastened his death:
Im sorry for his family but I really cant quite figure why the BFD over dead TV commentator. It’s so obvious the MSM thinks they are better than the rest of us because if you turn on any News channel right now you’d think a Prophet or a President had died.
I do wonder what the Clintons thought of Russert. I wonder what they said privately. He was hard on Hillary.
You should place this in Breaking News.
search dammit
Tim Russert seemed to be a good family man, liberal or not, I will miss him (Never thought I would say that)
I do wonder what the Clintons thought of Russert. I wonder what they said privately. He was hard on Hillary.
I remember what Newt’s mother told Connie Chung what Newt thought of Hitlery.
Hardley a stranger,oh depressed puppy....If in 58yrs you could achieve his stature you would be,may be and a slim yes very slim chance maybe honored instead of scorned....
Well if you know him I’m sure it would be appropriate to mourn the loss of your friend.
They'll be a lot less mourning when you die, I'm sure. You're not the most compassionate hombre this side of the Rio Grande, I would bet.
Just a talking head to me. Interchangable with 50 others.
At least poor Tim won't be around to see the "Networks" slide into irrelevance.
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