NBC journalist Tim Russert dies at 58
Pastor Dale Morgan
*NBC journalist Tim Russert dies at 58*
* Daniel Nasaw in Washington
* guardian.co.uk,
* Saturday June 14 2008
NBC News Washington bureau chief Tim Russert, one of the deans of the
Washington press corps and a vigorous interrogator of the most powerful
and influential people in the US capital, collapsed and died yesterday
of an apparent heart attack at the organisation's office. He was 58.
Russert was the hard-bitten host of Meet the Press, a staple of the
Sunday morning talk shows. His influence in setting the Washington news
agenda was virtually unparalleled: his pronouncement after the North
Carolina and Indiana primaries that Barack Obama had won the Democratic
nomination was seen as a death knell for Hillary Clinton's campaign.
The news was announced by Tom Brokaw, another longtime NBC anchor.
This Sunday, Brokaw will host a special edition of Meet the Press,
according to the Politico website.
"This news division will not be the same without his strong clear
voice," the teary-eyed Brokaw said. "He will be missed as he was loved:
greatly."
The grave-faced, piercing-eyed news anchor, a native of Buffalo, New
York, was a scourge to decades of presidents, politicians, political
fixers and operatives.
After attending law school, Russert worked on the 1976 campaign of New
York senator Daniel Patrick Moynihan. He also worked for New York
governor Mario Cuomo.
He joined NBC news in 1984, and always defended himself against
accusations his political background tainted his news judgement.
"He had friends across the political plain," Brokaw said.
In 1991 he took over Meet the Press and expanded its audience to more
than 4 million viewers. In that role he interviewed virtually every
major political figure in Washington, as well as comedians, athletes and
foreign leaders.
Cuomo said Russert was "among the most astute, discerning and relentless
pursuers of truth in the nation".
"Most candidates are not eager to present themselves for Tim's incisive
scrutiny, which is fed by his prodigious study and preparation," Cuomo
wrote. "But they have little choice: appearing on Meet the Press is
today as vital to a serious candidate as being properly registered to vote."
Russert also wrote best-selling books, Big Russ and Me, in 2004, and
Wisdom of our Fathers, in 2006. Time Magazine this year named him one of
the 100 most influential people in the world.
Russert was a dedicated fan of the Buffalo Bills NFL football team, and
Brokaw said he was a devout Catholic and a fan of the Washington
Nationals baseball team.
"He was not a great athlete by any means," Brokaw said with a chuckle,
noting the two played softball together.
Russert also was a big fan of Bruce Springsteen, and Brokaw said Russert
was disappointed he was never able to lure the rocker onto the show.
Both Democrats and Republicans among Washington's political elite
expressed condolences today at the loss of the figure that so tormented
them Sunday mornings.
Buffalo Mayor Byron Brown recognised Russert's "on the sleeve" love of
his hometown, and ordered that flags in the city be flown at half-mast.
George Bush, informed of Russert's passing while at dinner in Paris,
praised the NBC newsman as "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."
"Tim was a warm and gracious family man with a great zest for life and
an unsurpassed passion for his work," said Senate majority leader Harry
Reid. "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."
Republican presidential candidate John McCain said of Russert in a
statement, "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."
Obama said: "There wasn't a better interviewer in TV, not a more
thoughtful analyst of our politics, and he was also one of the finest
men I knew.
"Somebody who cared about America, cared about the issues, cared about
family. I am grief-stricken with the loss and my thoughts and prayers go
out to his family. And I hope that, even though Tim is irreplaceable,
that the standard that he set in his professional life and his family
life are standards that we all carry with us in our own lives."
Russert is survived by his wife, Maureen Orth, a writer for Vanity Fair
magazine, and a son, Luke.