My sister used to take lines like that at face value. Twelve years ago, she visited us from Oakland CA just before school started. We had just moved to Irving TX, and we went to visit the new school. Her jaw dropped as she saw the facilities, and it really hit the floor when I told her the average cost per student (at that time) was less than $7K.
It was too late to save my nephew, who was already in junior high in the Oakland school system. At least my sister moved out of Oakland before my niece reached 4th grade.
Russert may have been a lib, but at least he'd ask a decent followup question from time to time. David Gregory wouldn't know a good followup question if it hit him in the arse.
I taught in Oakland for a bit. Getting out was the only answer. My oldest daughter was in school in Berkeley. The younger three never saw the inside of a public school.
And it has only gotten worse.