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 ...
How big of you.
Hillary just checked one off her list.
Yes, he was a good man and will be missed. A liberal for the most part but honest in his beliefs. Seemed to be a straight shoot all the time.
However, I rembering thinking when he came out and strongly questioned Hillary that his days were numbered. Everyone around them (Bill & Hill) meets with an accident of some kind.
It would be termed suicide if obama were to select Hillary as his vp and goes on the win the election. He would be gone within a year.
He was a good man - and the best in his field. He’ll be missed.
Aside from Fox, Tim was the only TV journalist I had any respect for. A real pro, and a real representation of what journalism used to be. Any other so-called journalists out there who may be reading this - Tim is what we expect of you. He would have held Obama’s feet to the fire this fall; take a lesson from that if you want to achieve in your field. Tim will be missed in my house, and I will be rooting for the Bills this season, so long as they don’t face my Packers. Even then, I’ll miss him and I really feel for his family right now, especially Luke.
I hated everything about him.
That being said, I offer deep sympathy to his family and pray for his peaceful rest.
I DID—THREE DIFFERENT HEADLINES
some of these post is why i dont come here much....No-Mo
Did Russert pay his bar tab before he checked out or would he have done that this evening after getting paid?
This was the third time the man died today! Tough dying!
I’m sorry to hear of his passing and my thoughts are with his family.
I have to say that in watching MSNBC’s coverage, the one person that hasn’t been heard from or even mentioned is Chris Matthews. It seems odd.
“They’ll be a lot less mourning when you die, I’m sure.”
Oh you can be sure of that, pardner. As indicated in a reply above, this was a guy who swayed millions of people over to the socialist side. I never aspired to BS so many.
Sorry to hear this.
Gods Speed Tim Russert.
IBTZ
JimRob, if you want to know why I don't come here anymore, just read this thread, and Tim Russert, RIP.
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