Friday, June 13, 2008

IN MEMORIAM: Tim Russert

If it wasn't for this man, this site wouldn't exist.

Our deepest sympathies to both the Russert and NBC families.

Sundays are forever changed.

15 comments:

Dina said...

This so absolutely unbelievable and sad. I knew this is the one place I could come where MSNBC junkies like me would really understand that this loss feels intensely personal. How will I tell Heidi? Seriously.

Anonymous said...

This is so very sad. I can't imagine politics without this man and certainly not this election. It is a great loss to the country.

My thoughts and prayers are with his family and work family at MSNBC/NBC. We are mourning with them.

I feel so bad for the guys at the Washington Bureau who probably viewed him not just as a boss, but also as a father figure.

Anonymous said...

He will be sorely missed. Watching him during this election was like watching a kid in a candy store.

Viva Tim Russert. We hardly knew ye.

Anonymous said...

This is like a punch in the stomach, I could always trust whatever came out of Tim's mouth, you knew he did his homework and therefore would ask all the questions that needed to be asked. I couldn't see any kind of political leanings from him, he treated everyone with respect and focused on the facts. He's a perfect example of what journalism should be. No doubt he influenced Todd and I just hope his influence will direct all journalists in the right direction.

A's Mom said...

Thought everyone would want to see this -- It's from the NY Times where they are running incoming tributes memories.

5:11 p.m. | Father Figure: Chuck Todd, the political director of NBC News, who was brought in by Mr. Russert, is on the verge of tears also. He notes that this Sunday is Father’s Day, perhaps a fitting memorial. “He was sort of everybody’s father figure here at the bureau,” Mr. Todd said. He said Mr. Russert was a mentor and that many people he knows in journalism would say to him, “I want to be Tim Russert some day.”

A's Mom said...

I had the great pleasure to meet him once at the Boys and Girls Club event 4 years ago, he was everything you would imagine and in a world with few heroes, he was genuinely one.

Anonymous said...

Moviemom, I was watching MSNBC when Chuck came on; it has clearly hit him quite hard. He also mentioned that Russert's legacy was as much about family as politics. It was very hard to watch because it was so sad. He, Olbermann and Andrea Mitchell all had the moments of cracking voices and was just immeasurably sad to see that much pain in all these professionals. It speaks volumes to the measure of Mr. Russert.

Anonymous said...

I am like Dina, I knew that I could come to Viva Chuck Todd to mourn with others that feel like I do. I am in shock and so sad over the news about Tim Russert. He was truly a wonderful man and the MAN who made NBC news and politics what it is today. I am sure that our very own Chuck Todd would agree and probably would say that he learned much of what he knows from Russert.

My thoughts and prayers are with NBC/MSNBC crew, along with the Russert family. I am sure it will take some time to get over his loss. Please know that others all over the country are thinking of you.

stephanie said...

i cried when i heard the news...it was, like ben said, a punch in the stomach. this is such a huge loss...

much love and sympathy for the friends and family who knew him best. if i'm this saddened, how great must their pain be?

Unknown said...

Having spent the past few days fighting the floods here in Cedar Rapids, and spending most of the day waging a losing battle to keep Indian Creek out of my basement, I took a break to get my MSNBC fix. Hearing this horrible news was like a knockout blow that I can't get up from.

Tim Russert was a beacon of light in a crowded field of blowhards, and people in love with the sound of their own voices.

God speed Tim Russert. You will be missed.

Anonymous said...

Tim Russert was like a friend or a family member. I know I didn't know him personally, but he was just so familiar. With him brought the rest of the crew. Chucky T, Keith, Chris, Mika, Andrea. I love MSNBC and watch it before work and as soon I as I get home. Tim was the highlight especially during the primaries. His insight and wisdom told me I knew I was getting the truth and a learning experience. Sunday will be a big void now, but what a story he will leave. We will miss you greatly Tim.

Anonymous said...

How can you not know a guy and feel like you lost a great friend? This was such a kick in the gut I wanted to go home early.

Tim did everything the right way in his life. If we judge our lives by the impact we have on others, Tim took the prize.

I'd like to envision Tim in heaven, moderating a REAL Lincoln-Douglas debate. Mr. Lincoln, in 1856, you said you were in favor of a compromise to preserve the union...here's what you said yesterday...

Rest in Peace, Tim. They broke the mold when they made you. And Big Russ, thank you for Tim. Maureen and Luke, we love you, too.

Loraine said...

Chuck Todd had it right last night when he said its so unfair that Mr. Russert was taken in the midst of this election and won't be here to see it unfold. He had so much love and enthusiasm for work and for his family.

I watch MSNBC all the time as stay-at-home mom, and Tim and Barnicle and all the rest made me feel like I was part of a great political club. He was the heart of it all.

Gloria said...

Who is going to ask the politicians the questions that I'm screaming at the tv when they're being interviewed by everybody else? I love Chris and Keith and David, but nobody held their feet to the fire like Tim. When I first saw it online I was looking for the "punch line". It really took me a full 15-20 seconds to really GET that this wasn't a joke. My kids were looking at me like I was crazy as tears ran down my face, glued to the tv. When Chuck came on and was obviously crying, my tears turned into sobs. I hurt for all of them at MSNBC, I hurt for his wife and son, and wonder what information will we never learn during this election that only Tim couldn't have gotten for us?

Maxichamp said...

Russert was one of the few good guys out there. His hiring of Chuck Todd was the greatest gift of this election season. Both Russert and Todd are humble, smart, hard-working, and honest.