Tim Russert
I suspect that few will be jumping to offer criticisms of MSNBC or Tim Russert at this time. But let me say that while many of us in the blogosphere are often quick to label the Mainstream Media ineffective or inadequate, I have always felt that NBC, and Russert in particular, showed at the very least a glimmer of the sort of reporting that should be expected in the dark times of the Bush era, and the corresponding attitudes towards freedom of speech and dissent.
In the words of Edward Murrow, and more recently, Keith Olbermann: Good Night, and Good Luck.
In the words of Edward Murrow, and more recently, Keith Olbermann: Good Night, and Good Luck.
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Good night and good luck, indeed.
June 13, 2008 4:25 PM | Reply | Permalink
Absolutely.
June 13, 2008 4:38 PM | Reply | Permalink
Thought the criticisms of Russert unfair and over the top. He contributed much more than a Brian Williams, much more than a Brokaw, much more than other moderators I have seen.
No one's perfect, but Tim was an original, a great one.
June 13, 2008 4:39 PM | Reply | Permalink
I agree. He was above many of his colleagues on NBC. Much more than a Chris Matthews, Joe Scarborough, Chuck Todd....
June 13, 2008 5:04 PM | Reply | Permalink
Russert's death leaves an empty space against the sky of television news. Rest in Peace.
June 13, 2008 5:32 PM | Reply | Permalink
Thanks for the thread. I dunno what's going to happen with Meet the Press now. I don't remember there ever being another moderator.
Although Tim played "gotcha" a bit too often, he did it better than just about anyone, and did it to everyone.
I'm so sorry we lost him.
June 13, 2008 5:36 PM | Reply | Permalink
While tim did have a tendency to play "gotcha" games in his questions, he did it fairly and he did it to everyone. And, unlike so many "journalists" today, you could never tell what Tim Russert really thought and really believed.
it was very clear from watching him on television that he was a decent man who never forgot where he came from. He loved America and he believed in the possibility and the promise of the american dream because he lived it.
My heart breaks for his son, his wife, and his father for whom this Sunday will be unbearably tough. Tim was very much a family man and I can't imagine the grief they must be feeling right now.
It's a shame Tim won't be around to cover this election. It was obvious to everyone he was so looking forward to it with a schoolboy glee that betrayed his love for politics and America.
But, our time on this earth is not unlimited. Tomorrow is guaranteed to no one. Those who are left behind will grieve, and those who leave us will not be forgotten.
All we can hope for is that we live a life worth remembering and that maybe, in some small way, we leave the world a better place than when we found it.
Tim Russert did that.
June 13, 2008 6:06 PM | Reply | Permalink
I thought the same thing--how obvious his absence is going to be through the rest of this election, and yet how much he's got to have enjoyed the chaotic first half of it.
He'll be so terribly missed.
June 13, 2008 6:41 PM | Reply | Permalink
He only played "gotcha" in the best sense of the word, on important matters. Using the interviewee's own words. That is what the 4th estate is supposed to do, to shake out the truth and hold elected officials feet to the fire and keep them honest - and Russert did it with a class and dignity that I don't think anyone can match.
June 13, 2008 10:50 PM | Reply | Permalink
I'm so sorry he won't be here for November. But after hearing about his deep, lasting love for family, I'm particularly sorry he won't be here for Father's Day.
All our sympathies to his wife and son, Luke...
June 13, 2008 7:47 PM | Reply | Permalink
Tim Russert had a quality that made him bigger than life. His passion for politics, especially elections, was contagious. I can't imagine the presidential election night without him. He was truly the American story, coming from a simple home life to reaching such success and influence. Tim Russert was a national treasure.
June 13, 2008 8:48 PM | Reply | Permalink
Like any good journalist, he was often frustrating. Revealed my own views to me through what annoyed me when I thought he was taking a particular side (usually that side I disagreed with) too much.
And he seemed a regular guy underneath it all - sometimes I think he was (pleasantly) surprised at his having landed at NBC and become a Sunday morning institution on MTP.
And Jesuit educated - good on ya, Jebbies, this one more than makes up for Patrick Buchanan.
June 13, 2008 8:58 PM | Reply | Permalink
Alot of people are remembering when he pronounced sen.Obama the democratic nominee after the Ind. and N.C. primaries, I remember when sen. Obama became the presumptive nominee and Tim Russert said with true excitement and maybe even a bit of pride in his voice that he would love to be a teacher in an inner city school the next day. That one statement showed what he thought this election meant for this country.
June 13, 2008 9:40 PM | Reply | Permalink
I'm afraid I have to leave the encomiums to .
June 13, 2008 10:07 PM | Reply | Permalink
Bob Somerby.
June 13, 2008 10:08 PM | Reply | Permalink
Thanks for the link. All the saccharine crap was making me want to wretch. The man was a complete tool. Remember Russert's role in Plamegate. Providing a friendly launchpad for Cheney's spin-monkeys.
June 13, 2008 10:41 PM | Reply | Permalink
Er, make that "retch."
June 13, 2008 10:42 PM | Reply | Permalink
When you leave this world, what will be said of you?
June 13, 2008 11:00 PM | Reply | Permalink
The word of his death was shocking. I didn't hear of it until early this evening.
I know I am going to miss him. Meet the Press was one of the few sane things about politics on Sunday morning.
He's also so damn young.
June 13, 2008 10:09 PM | Reply | Permalink
I shocked my children today by picking up the remote and turning to Fox News.
I did it because I knew what would be happening. People I disagree with early and often would be speaking of a shared loss, sharing memories and and honoring values I respect.
I wanted to see that, as a serious experience of believing that the things that unite us are more important than what divides us.
We belong together. Too often, we need tragedy to remember it, and Tim Russert's clearly is that sort of tragedy for journalists and Washington insiders. We should remember more often, in times when we are happy and strong. It's a good thing to feel.
June 14, 2008 1:28 AM | Reply | Permalink
I have been shocked. Russert was human. He had good and bad wrapped around him the same as good and bad wraps around each of us. But now is the time to remember the good. The contributions he made, the effert he expended for the people around him and for his job.
Rest in Peace, Tim.
June 14, 2008 1:43 AM | Reply | Permalink
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What a pleasure to be reminded of Edward R. Murrow!
-dlj.
.
June 14, 2008 1:52 AM | Reply | Permalink
Tim Russert testified during the Libby trial that he granted all of his sources anonymity by default.
Anonymity should be used in the rarest of circumstances, because if not - it shields from responsibility those that pass off propaganda.
Tim Russert was less a journalist than an enabler.
It's sad that he died so young - but let's look with open eyes at his journalism.
June 14, 2008 4:37 AM | Reply | Permalink
Here's a link to Russert calling the Democratic primary race when KO asks him, "Is it over?"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lklfIPBK4Zg
As usual, Russert was right. Farewell to an outstanding human being, someone whom every person remembering him in the media has a personal story of his goodness, decency, and love of the simple truth.
June 14, 2008 2:04 PM | Reply | Permalink