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'Meet the Press' Remembers Tim Russert

By FRAZIER MOORE,
AP
Posted: 2008-06-16 11:04:56
Filed Under: TV News, Nation News
NEW YORK (June 15) - Tim Russert's chair was empty on "Meet the Press" on Sunday, two days after his unexpected death.

But Russert was very much present on the full-hour tribute to this giant of political journalism who hosted NBC's public-affairs program for more than 16 years.

"His voice has been stilled," began Tom Brokaw, who led the conversation, "and our issue this sad Sunday morning is remembering and honoring our colleague and our friend ...."

Brokaw and a half-dozen others were seated in front of the "Meet the Press" set and its angular table, left vacant, where Russert had presided as recently as last week.

Brokaw noted that Russert had a large wooden sign in his office that read: "Thou Shalt Not Whine," which Brokaw then supplemented with "Thou shalt not weep or cry this morning. This is a celebration."

But a bit later he choked up, recalling Russert's words of awe at how far a working-class kid from Buffalo like himself could rise: "What a country!" he would marvel.

Dignitaries Pay Tribute to Tim Russert

"I think I can invoke personal privilege to say that this news division will not be the same without his strong, clear voice. He'll be missed as he was loved -- greatly."
- Tom Brokaw, NBC News anchor emeritus

"We have lost a beloved member of our NBC Universal family and the news world has lost one of its finest. The enormity of this loss cannot be overstated."
- NBC Universal Chief Executive Jeff Zucker

"Tim epitomized excellence in journalism and unflinching commitment to the craft. Our profession has lost a stellar journalist."
- Sylvia Smith, president of the National Press Club

"As the longest-serving host of the longest-running program in the history of television, he was 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."
- President Bush

"There wasn't a better interviewer in television. Not a more thoughtful analyst of our politics. And he was also one of the finest men I knew."
- Sen. Barack Obama, D-Ill

"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."
- Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz

"He delighted in scooping me and I felt the same way when I scooped him. When you slipped one past ol' Russert, you felt as though you had hit a home run off the best pitcher in the league."
- Bob Schieffer, host of CBS News' "Face the Nation"

"Today, broadcast journalism lost one of its giants, who will be remembered along with names like Edward R. Murrow, Walter Cronkite and David Brinkley. The city of Buffalo has also lost its favorite son, who loved his city and its hometown team, the Bills."
- House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif.

"Tim never forgot his roots in Western New York, and his hometown has always celebrated his great accomplishments. A graduate of Canisius High School, he is still known as legendary Buffalo Bills fan."
- Gov. David Paterson, D-N.Y.

"He was tough on 'Meet The Press,' but I never felt he was out to knock down government or politicians. He was trying to make us all better. And I think he really did that."
- Sen. Joe Lieberman, I-Conn.

"Tim Russert's death is not just a body blow for NBC News, it is a body blow for the nation and for anyone who cherishes newsmen and women who have remained devoted to reporting hard news in an era increasingly consumed by trivia."
- Rep. Dave Obey, D-Wis.

"Tim asked the tough questions the right way and was the best in the business at keeping his interview subjects honest."
- Sen. Harry Reid, D-Nev.

"Tim was one of the outstanding journalists of this generation. He had a well earned reputation for integrity and fairness. I can personally attest to that. For those of us who had the privilege of appearing on 'Meet the Press,' Sunday mornings will never be the same."
- Sen. Carl Levin, D-Mich.

"Western New York, in particular, will miss Tim Russert because he was in every way Mr. Buffalo. Even when he was interviewing presidents and heads of state, Western New Yorkers knew that his blue collar, Buffalo sensibility guided him throughout."
- Sen. Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y.

"His passing is a loss for our country and for all who hold dear the principle of a press that is free, vibrant and responsible."
- CIA Director Michael Hayden.

"Having sat in the studio with him, I can only say that he was a gentleman when the 'on air' light was lit as well as when it was not."
- Former New York City Mayor Giuliani

"Buffalo has lost a favorite son, and our nation has a lost a giant of political journalism. Tim was my favorite sparring partner - he was always tough, always fair, and always cared about the issues."
- Rep. Tom Reynolds, R-N.Y.

Source: AP

Among those gathered were presidential historian Doris Kearns Goodwin and political pundit Mary Matalin, with Maria Shriver — the former NBC News correspondent and currently California's first lady — on a remote hookup.

All agreed that Russert was tough but fair in his interviewing, and that he, as a former political operative himself, loved politics and politicians.

What he didn't like, said consultant-pundit James Carville, was an elected official or anybody else who wasn't prepared to face him.

"The biggest insult to him was someone who came on and ... didn't take the show seriously," Carville said.

It was a mistake they quickly regretted, because Russert took his stewardship of "Meet the Press" as a sacred trust.

"He would spend all week preparing," said executive producer Betsy Fischer.

PBS' Gwen Ifill, a former NBC correspondent, called the program "The Church of Tim."

"I would actually get a pass from my own pastor to not be in church on Sunday if I was gonna be on `Meet the Press,'" she said with a smile.

MSNBC commentator Mike Barnicle added that Russert's son, Luke, had told him the day before that the program was "Tim's second son."

Russert's Final Round Table


However fitting Sunday's tribute, it was a cruel irony that Russert had become the big story, particularly in the midst of a like-no-other presidential race that he was covering with his customary gusto. Guests he had planned to grill Sunday were senior officials from both campaigns.

All that changed with Russert's death from a heart attack Friday. He was stricken while preparing for the broadcast at his network's Washington bureau.

NBC aired a prime-time tribute Friday night, then devoted Saturday's "Today" show to his life and career. His passing dominated rival cable-news networks and news-talk shows.

Russert was the face of political news for NBC as well as cable sibling MSNBC, serving as chief political analyst, a frequent correspondent and an election-night fixture, besides his off-camera duties as NBC News' Washington bureau chief.

He had become almost synonymous with the top-rated "Meet the Press," the TV institution he reinvented while becoming an institution himself. He had been its host since 1991 when the show, the longest-running on television, already was in its 45th year.

Several tape montages on Sunday's tribute displayed Russert in action, pressing subjects from Ross Perot to Louis Farrakhan. Politicos including John Kerry and Hillary Rodham Clinton were seen telling Russert they had no interest in running for the White House.

The abrupt void Russert leaves is unprecedented in network TV news. Even the tragic death of ABC News anchor Peter Jennings in 2005 followed his much-publicized battle with lung cancer and his four-month absence from the airwaves.

There was no immediate word on who would host "Meet the Press" next week, or in the weeks after that.

Drawing the program to a close, Brokaw observed "this would not have been just another Sunday for Tim: This is Father's Day." Any regular viewer of "Meet the Press" knew Russert was a devoted son (of "Big Russ," about whom he wrote in a best-selling memoir) and father (to Luke).

But the final moments — eerily yet aptly — were of Russert signing off from his host's chair, proud and cheery, with Father's Day greetings to all. For an instant, viewers might have wondered: Who will Russert be grilling next week?



Copyright 2008 The Associated Press. The information contained in the AP news report may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or otherwise distributed without the prior written authority of The Associated Press. All active hyperlinks have been inserted by AOL.
2008-06-13 15:42:04
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9889 comments

lollmbo 05:22:12 PM Jul 11 2008

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Do you think he has been reincarnated yet?

rodeoboxer 06:00:21 PM Jun 20 2008

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I wacth him every sunday morning,HE WAS A STAPLE OF MY LIFE.
I'm trying to figuer out WHO WILL REPLACE HIM.......

Rodeoboxer @ aol.com

kunzsp 09:21:17 AM Jun 20 2008

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IS IT TRUE THAT TED KENNEDY WANTED TO HIGHJACK THE NIXON
PRESIDENCY AND BECOME PRESIDENT?

That's the implication in a new book, "The Plot for Ted Kennedy
to Become President"

Maybe, Tim Russert had a lead and was going public with it.

Phyllis Kunz

dannygarciany 11:03:28 PM Jun 19 2008

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I LOST MY FATHER TWO WEEKS AGO, I ALWAYS APPRECIATED MR RUSSERT'S APPRECIATION OF HIS OWN FATHER AND THE LESSONS HE WAS TAUGHT. WATCHING THIS FATHER'S DAY THE TRIBUTE TO HIM, REMINDED ME ONCE AGAIN WHAT A GREAT MAN MY OWN FATHER WAS. I ALWAYS LOOKED FORWARD TO MY MY SUNDAY MORNING COFFEE AND MEET THE PRESS. I ALWAYS LOOKED FORWARD TO MR RUSSERT'S KEEN POLITICAL SAVVY AND DIRECTNESS. I FEEL A PROFOUND LOSS BOTH FOR MY FATHER, WHICH IS OVERWHELMING AND WHAT I LEARNED FROM MR RUSSERT EVERY SUNDAY. THE COINCIDENCE OF THEIR PASSINGS IS FELT. MY CONDOLENCES TO THOSE YOU KNEW HIM AND LOVED HIM.
DANNY GARCIA

papouse 07:25:38 PM Jun 19 2008

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I will miss Tim Russert. He became a part of my family on Sunday morning with his political insight on current events. I loved his presentation and bold voice. I saw his son Luke on his memorial service and thanked God for a piece of Tim. God bless Tim, his wife Maureen, son Luke, and his many friends and family.

kunzsp 07:07:10 PM Jun 19 2008

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biggerstockmart about Mr. Russert stumbling on something big.
I was browsing through a bookstore this afternoon and saw a book
"The Plot for Ted Kennedy to Become President". IT was linked to
Watergate. Watergate wasn't what it seemed. Kennedy and his
cronies wanted to take over, according to the book. Hmmm!
Phyllis Kunz

papouse 06:33:36 PM Jun 19 2008

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TimRussert will truly be missed. He became a part of my family on Sunday mornings. I would eagarly await his political expertize regarding the major events of the week. I was sad when I heard the new. I looked at the memorial on TV and thanked God that he left a piece of him here in Luke. The love expressed and the familiar themes of his uniqueness came out in full force. Tim ,I will miss you.God bless your wife Maureen, son Luke and your loving friends and family. I will be forever greatful for the gift of having shared you in this life.

biggersrockmart 05:37:55 PM Jun 19 2008

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MAYBE TIM RUSSERT HAD STUMBLED UPON SOME POLITICAL TRUTHS THAT ONLY HE COULD HAVE STUMBLED UPON? HE WAS A GENIUS AT HIS PRESS INVESTIGATIONS....

bobrsville 03:34:18 PM Jun 19 2008

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Sorry - should have said "he wouldn't accept the crap".

bobrsville 03:33:27 PM Jun 19 2008

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Tim Russert was an incredible, credable source of insightful, truthful, and relevant news and facts. Truly one of the greatest sources of light and knowledge in an industry that thinks Paris Hilton and Brittany Spears are newsworthy.

Sunday mornings will never be the same. Anytime Tim Russert spoke I listened.

No hidden agenda - just the facts and he would accept the crap the "powerful" would try to lay on him.

What a guy - God bless you Tim and your family. God help us trying to figure out this messed up country and politics on our own.

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