I am shocked and saddened to learn of Tim Russert's death. At 58, he was too young. It was too sudden. He was too good a father. And he was too valuable to the American people.
The longest running host of Meet the Press, Russert was an interviewer of uncommon skill. His unwillingness to accept obfuscation and untruths from his subjects, constantly citing dates and playing tape of previous statements they were now contradicting, made him an indisensable asset to anyone attempting to navigate the waters of national politics.
The longest running host of Meet the Press, Russert was an interviewer of uncommon skill. His unwillingness to accept obfuscation and untruths from his subjects, constantly citing dates and playing tape of previous statements they were now contradicting, made him an indisensable asset to anyone attempting to navigate the waters of national politics.
His panels, consisting of top Beltway journalists, were always informative, comprehensive, and even entertaining. He was knowledgeable, professional, and driven to make the best show he could, and he succeeded.
Meet the Press, under his leadership, was simply the best political talk show out there, and it is very difficult for me to imagine anyone filling his shoes. Yet we need, desperately need, people like him. The Woodwards and Bernsteins get the glory, and the movies made about them, but Tim Russert was there every Sunday, asking the hard questions, reminding politicians who they work for, and keeping the American public informed about the nuances of the issues affecting their lives. It's a sad day for American journalism.
Tim, we're going to miss you.
