NBC's Tim Russert Dies at 58

WaPo ^ | June 13, 2008 | Howard Kurtz and William Branigin

[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.

[PalmettoMason]

Drat....someone beat me to it.

Just once I would like to be the first one to get all high and mighty about someone posting something that has already been posted. /s

[CGASMIA68]

who gives a rats ass what the Clinton's think about anything

[kms61]

Whenever something like this happens, I go through a mental checklist:

He looked out of shape, I take care of myself, therefore it couldn’t happen to me.

He had a stressful job, my job isn’t that stressful, therefore it couldn’t happen to me.

He probably didn’t eat right, I watch what I eat, therefore it couldn’t happen to me.

Etc, Etc.

When in point of fact, it COULD happen to me or anyone else. It doesn’t hurt to be reminded of that occasionally.

[drc43]

I believe a bit more understanding would be appropriate.

[ZX12R]

There were days I agreed with him and days I screamed at the t.v.......sunday mornings will never be the same. Gods Speed Tim Russert.

Another, very appropriate post.

[AnotherUnixGeek]

Brokaw said Russert had just returned from a family trip to Italy with his wife, writer Maureen Orth.

Something about those long air flights - the stress of security and boarding, the dehydration, the long periods of sitting. Couldn't have helped Russert's condition.

[yooper]

Dittos. This place has changed; seems to be populated by Hitler nut-jobs. Mods take note: this conservative is unhappy with the hate-for-the-dead being put into the public forum here.

[princess leah]

Did Peter Jennings get this much coverage when he passed away?

[deport]

search dammit

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In radar’s defense I’ll asked you...... How?

FYI the search function hasn’t worked since the outage the other day.

True enough the chance of one being the first to post a thread of this recognition is very very slim and I guess one could look around the lastest articles/lastest comments to see if anything is coming up.