Tim Russert Dies At 58

SputnikPanic writes "Tim Russert, NBC News' Washington bureau chief and moderator of the popular Sunday talk program Meet the Press, has died of an apparent heart attack. He was 58. Russert was known as an even-handed journalist who did not shy away from asking direct and often difficult questions of politicians regardless of their political persuasion. Earlier this year, Russert had been named by Time Magazine as one of the '100 most influential people in the world.'"

Comments

This year's race won't be the same

[Martin Blank]

I always looked forward to how Russert handled interviews and debates. Left or right, loony or sane, one always got a fair hand from him. He'd get on anyone who was hiding something, but I don't know of many who left his presence angry.

He was a rarity in the world of political journalism.

Re:This year's race won't be the same

[Veramocor]

I fully agree. Tim Russert was the embodiment of what 'fair and balanced' should mean. He asked probing questions, slammed politicians with fact based evidence when they flip flopped or lied, liberal and conservative. If all journalists were like him our countries politics would be much better on both sides.

Re:This year's race won't be the same

[cayenne8]

"I always looked forward to how Russert handled interviews and debates. Left or right, loony or sane, one always got a fair hand from him. He'd get on anyone who was hiding something, but I don't know of many who left his presence angry.

He was a rarity in the world of political journalism."

I have to agree....I loved to watch him on Meet The Press. He asked tough questions, and wouldn't generally let the guest doubletalk their way out of not answering...and I thought he was nothing but fair no matter which side of the aisle the guest was. Damn....

Man...so many famous people are dropping like flies last month or two...Bo Diddley, Harvey Korman, etc. Those guys were quite old, long lives...but, Tim was so young looking. I'd not heard he'd had any health problems....wow.

R.I.P., you'll be missed.

:(

Re:Most influential

[mactard]

Well he'll be missed by those who don't make dumbass analogies.

He asked questions most people would want asked

[MillenneumMan]

Virtually no one in news asks candidates and newsmakers the tough questions anymore. You could always count on Tim to throw hardballs every time. He also was very good at ignoring spin when he didn't get a straight answer. Great interviewer and moderator. Condolences to his family and friends, he certainly was taken before his time.

Re:He asked questions most people would want asked

[Martin Blank]

Most reporters are terrified of not being able to get an interview at the next request. Tim was a great example of someone who could rake a guest over the coals and yet have them leaving with the words, "Until next time." And next time could be only a few weeks later.

Last of a dying breed.

[gnarlyhotep]

Tim Russert was one of the few journalists today who are worthy of that name. Hearkening back to the proud traditions of Walter Kronkite and Edward R Murrough, who asked tough questions of big players who could normally intimidate or frighten their way out of being asked the questions.

Instead, we're left with Barbara Walters asking what sort of tree people would be, and persisting.

Another blow to quality journalism in America.

The Omlette

[CaptainPatent]

You know, I'm quite the nerd and this story, while tragic, is the exact kind of thing I'd like to know. In fact, Slashdot's firehose system is specifically made to sift the interesting stories - like this one - to the top. A quick thank you for being everything CmdrTaco wants the community to not be. If you read through the FAQ it's easy to find tidbits like this:

Some of my favorite "bad" or off-topic comments are things like "Slashdot sucks!" and "This isn't news for nerds!" and "Moderate this XXX!" Any of these may be true, but they're probably off topic! If you still don't understand your offtopic moderation please read the Omlette Rant

cheers

A sad day.

[molo]

Meet The Press was my Sunday morning staple, and it was because of Tim Russert. NBC will be hard pressed to find someone to fill his shoes.

I'll never forget Russert on the NBC coverage of the 2000 presidential election. Early in the evening, Russert wrote on his little whiteboard "Florida, Florida, Florida!" before anyone had any idea how close it was going to be. I stayed up with Russert and Brokaw that night until the next dawn, hoping to find out who the next president would be. Of course there were no conclusions, but Russert's exploration of the electoral college system and the implications of the vote returns were insightful and kept me watching.

Russert wasn't afraid of asking tough questions to powerful people. When they would try to weasel their way out of a direct answer, he would ask again, and again if necessary. If only all journalists would have that kind of conviction.

He will be missed. My condolences to his family.

-molo

Completely agreed

[StarKruzr]

The world of political news, especially with this historic national election coming up, will be poorer for his passing. I wish he could have lived to see it and report on it.

RIP

[mark72005]

I respected Tim Russert a great deal. He was one of the few out there who still seemed like he wanted to do hard news and prevent bias as much as he could.

Bland but not abrasive, and no more than that

[rbanzai]

It makes me sad to see people memorializing Russert as a giant of journalism. At best he was a non-abrasive talker tossing softballs. The standard for journalism only seems to get lower and lower.

It's too bad he has died but it's only bad for journalism because so many of his competitors are loudmouth idiots. A calm demeanor has been enough to make him look like Walter Cronkite but for those of us with longer memories Russert is not notable.