- #1
- 8,142
- 1,756
I am sooooo sad! He was THE man and critical to getting truth in an election cycle.
This is a terrible terrible loss. I will miss him very much.
This is a terrible terrible loss. I will miss him very much.
Last edited:
Yahoo said:Longtime NBC anchor Tom Brokaw has now confirmed Russert's death, in a special report on NBC.
All Things Considered, June 13, 2008 · NBC newsman Tim Russert died suddenly today of a heart attack. Russert, who was 58, became the host of Meet the Press in 1991. He was known as a dogged interviewer and a well-sourced Washington insider.
Under his leadership, the show became an essential stop for politicians and officials at the highest levels of the government. With his wry smile and his trademark white board and felt marker, Russert was known for his incisive calculations of the U.S. electoral system.
Confirmation of Russert's death came this afternoon from members of his family and also from NBC Nightly News anchor Tom Brokaw. Brokaw said that Russert collapsed and died early this afternoon while at work. He had just returned from Italy with his family.
Brokaw said that Russert's death came during a political campaign that "he loved" and referred to him as "one of the premier journalists of our time."
lisab said:Wow, that's a shock! At the height of his career, and right in the middle of the most interesting race in many decades - what a shame. My sympathies to his loved ones.
Pres. George W. Bush
Laura and I are deeply saddened by the sudden passing of Tim Russert. Those of us who knew and worked with Tim, his many friends, and the millions of Americans who loyally followed his career on the air will all miss him.
As the longest-serving host of the longest-running program in the history of television, he was an institution in both news and politics for more than two decades. Tim was a tough and hardworking newsman. He was always well-informed and thorough in his interviews. And he was as gregarious off the set as he was prepared on it.
Most important, Tim was a proud son and father, and Laura and I offer our deepest sympathies to his wife Maureen, his son Luke, and the entire Russert family. We will keep them in our prayers.
Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nev:
"I was greatly saddened to learn of Tim Russert's untimely death. Tim was a warm and gracious family man with a great zest for life and an unsurpassed passion for his work. His rise from working-class roots to become a well-respected leader in political journalism is an inspiration to many. Tim asked the tough questions the right way and was the best in the business at keeping his interview subjects honest. My thoughts are with his family."
Sen. John McCain:
"I am very saddened by Tim Russert's sudden death. Cindy and I extend our thoughts and prayers to the Russert family as they cope with this shocking loss and remember the life and legacy of a loving father, husband and the preeminent political journalist of his generation. He was truly a great American who loved his family, his friends, his Buffalo Bills, and everything about politics and America. He was just a terrific guy. I was proud to call him a friend, and in the coming days, we will pay tribute to a life whose contributions to us all will long endure."
CNN's Larry King just touched on the tricky part in this. It's not just Russert who was an institution. Meet the Press itself is, too. And the show must go on.
"I don't know who's going to fill that spot at Meet the Press. Wouldn't want it."
CBS Newsman Bob Schieffer put it this way to WTOP-AM in Washington, the CBS radio station. They were good friends, but also competitors, and loved to scoop each other -- if they could: "When you got one past old Russert, you felt like you had hit a home run off the best pitcher in the league," he said.
http://trailblazersblog.dallasnews.com/archives/2008/06/russert-condolences-and-reacti.htmlHouse Republican Leader John Boehner, R-Ohio
"Tim Russert was so much more than the longest-serving moderator in history of NBC's Meet the Press. He was a loyal and loving son. He was a devoted husband and father. He was one of the smartest, toughest television news journalists of all time. And he was an astute student of American politics.
"I can say from experience that joining Tim on Meet the Press was one of the greatest tests any public official could face. Regardless of party affiliation, he demanded that you be straight with him - and with the American people who were watching. Tim's 'white board' analysis of the Electoral College has become a fixture on election nights, and frankly, it is difficult to imagine what that night will be like without him this year...
"It goes without saying that Tim will be missed. And it goes without saying that Washington, DC and our nation's political landscape will never be the same without him."
http://blog.washingtonpost.com/the-trail/2008/06/13/reactions_to_russerts_passing.htmlCOLUMBUS, Ohio -- Presumptive Democratic presidential nominee Sen. Barack Obama described himself as "grief-stricken" over the passing of NBC Washington bureau chief and "Meet the Press" host Tim Russert at age 58 this afternoon. Obama spoke to reporters on his plane shortly before it was scheduled to depart Columbus.
Obama said he had known Russert since Obama's speech to the Democratic National Convention in 2004 in Boston.
"I considered him not only a journalist but a friend," Obama said. "There wasn't a better interviewer on television, a more thoughtful analysts about politics." He was "one of the finest men I know," said Obama.
Alienjoey said:He was such an amazing journalist, especially on Meet the Press. I'm still in disbelief that we won't be waking up to his show on Sundays anymore.
Ivan Seeking said:One has to wonder if the emotional stress played a significant role.
Tim Russert said:I was born a Democrat and baptized Catholic.
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/06/14/us/politics/14appraisal.html?ref=usThrough Republican revolution and Republican collapse, the rise and fall of the Houses Clinton and Bush, one war in Afghanistan and two in Iraq, Tim Russert remained a center of gravity in the national discourse every Sunday on “Meet the Press.”
...But a “Meet the Press” appearance was one of necessity, not choice. It was a requisite rite of passage for any would-be president. [continued]
You know, us Catholics believe that you can go right up [points upwards]. So I can see him now [referring to Russert in Heaven], "Heavenly Father, on August 3rd, you said...
The best way to prevent premature death from heart disease is to take preventative measures with respect to diet, exercise and life style so as not to develop the conditions such as high blood pressure and cholesterol, or being overweight.Given the great strides that have been made in preventing and treating heart disease, what explains Tim Russert’s sudden death last week at 58 from a heart attack?
The answer, at least in part, is that although doctors knew that Mr. Russert, the longtime moderator of “Meet the Press” on NBC, had coronary artery disease and were treating him for it, they did not realize how severe the disease was because he did not have chest pain or other telltale symptoms that would have justified the kind of invasive tests needed to make a definitive diagnosis. In that sense, his case was sadly typical: more than 50 percent of all men who die of coronary heart disease have no previous symptoms, the American Heart Association says.
It is not clear whether Mr. Russert’s death could have been prevented. He was doing nearly all he could to lower his risk. He took blood pressure pills and a statin drug to control his cholesterol, he worked out every day on an exercise bike, and he was trying to lose weight, his doctors said on Monday. And still it was not enough.
If there is any lesson in his death, his doctors said, it is a reminder that heart disease can be silent, and that people, especially those with known risk factors, should pay attention to diet, blood pressure, weight and exercise — even if they are feeling fine.
“If there’s one number that’s a predictor of mortality, it’s waist circumference,” said Dr. Michael A. Newman, Mr. Russert’s internist.
But, Dr. Newman added, most people would rather focus on their LDL cholesterol, instead of taking measures to reduce their waist size. Studies have found a waist of over 40 inches in men and 35 inches in women is a risk factor for heart disease.
You know, us Catholics believe that you can go right up [points upwards]. So I can see him now [referring to Russert in Heaven], "Heavenly Father, on August 3rd, you said...
Tim Russert was an American journalist and television host. He was best known for his work as the moderator of NBC's political talk show Meet the Press.
Tim Russert died of a heart attack on June 13, 2008, at the age of 58. He collapsed while recording voiceovers for Meet the Press and was rushed to a nearby hospital where he was pronounced dead.
Tim Russert was a highly respected and influential journalist. He was known for his tough but fair interviewing style and his extensive knowledge of politics. He also popularized the use of whiteboards and charts during his interviews, making complex political issues more accessible to his audience.
Tim Russert's death was a devastating loss for the media industry. He was a well-respected and beloved figure, and his sudden passing left a void in the world of journalism. Many of his colleagues and friends paid tribute to him and his legacy continues to be honored in the media industry.
Tim Russert's legacy is one of integrity, professionalism, and dedication to journalism. He was known for his unbiased reporting and his ability to ask tough questions while maintaining a respectful and fair approach. He also mentored and inspired many young journalists, leaving a lasting impact on the industry.