June 13, 2008 - Tim Russert (1950-2008)
On most Fridays, I publish a FRIDAY FUNNY. Not today.
There is no joy in Mudville, Buffalo, or for that matter anywhere in the U.S, that spent their Sunday mornings watching Meet the Press.
Tim Russert, the moderator of that show, died unexpectedly today at 58.
Russert was one of the few TV political pundits that did not show his true political colors when interviewing a guest or delivering the news. Russert was a long-time Democratic supporter having worked for Gov. Cuomo and Sen. Moynihan, both of NY. However, you never knew that fact unless you took the time to read his NBC profile ( I had.)
Russert’s contemporaries like Chris Mathews and Keith Olbermann wear their politics on their sleeve. Mathews actually said that he “got a chill going up his leg” after one of Obama’s speeches. Nice journalism.
Anyone who has read my blog, knows that most posts have a political spin. I began watching Meet the Press on a black and white TV as a child in the late 1960’s. We only received one station and that was an NBC affiliate.
Russert was the host since 1991. Many people only became aware of Russert after the 2000 election night when he championed a white board to describe the Electoral College map and how everything would come down to Florida. As a political junkie, I stayed up until 4 a.m. that night watching Russert. Ironically, I began carrying a dry erase marker with me to business meetings in the early 1990's because it was always easier to illustrate a solution or idea than to talk about it.
However in watching the coverage of his death, it appears Russert was the real deal. He is being described as gregarious, friendly, and a man of integrity.
There has never been a hint of personal scandal with Russert. There will never be a You Tube video of his off camera antics like we recently saw of Chris Berman, Casey Kasem, or Bill O’Reilly.
There is a conversation topic we sometimes have when friends come over for cocktails. Everyone answers the question, “If you could invite 5 people to dinner, who would they be?”
Tim Russert was always on my list. Unfortunately, there will be an empty seat at my table.
There will also be an empty chair this Sunday. Who will say, “If it’s Sunday, it’s Meet The Press”?
Tim Russert, the moderator of that show, died unexpectedly today at 58.Russert was one of the few TV political pundits that did not show his true political colors when interviewing a guest or delivering the news. Russert was a long-time Democratic supporter having worked for Gov. Cuomo and Sen. Moynihan, both of NY. However, you never knew that fact unless you took the time to read his NBC profile ( I had.)
Russert’s contemporaries like Chris Mathews and Keith Olbermann wear their politics on their sleeve. Mathews actually said that he “got a chill going up his leg” after one of Obama’s speeches. Nice journalism.
Anyone who has read my blog, knows that most posts have a political spin. I began watching Meet the Press on a black and white TV as a child in the late 1960’s. We only received one station and that was an NBC affiliate.
Russert was the host since 1991. Many people only became aware of Russert after the 2000 election night when he championed a white board to describe the Electoral College map and how everything would come down to Florida. As a political junkie, I stayed up until 4 a.m. that night watching Russert. Ironically, I began carrying a dry erase marker with me to business meetings in the early 1990's because it was always easier to illustrate a solution or idea than to talk about it.
However in watching the coverage of his death, it appears Russert was the real deal. He is being described as gregarious, friendly, and a man of integrity.
There has never been a hint of personal scandal with Russert. There will never be a You Tube video of his off camera antics like we recently saw of Chris Berman, Casey Kasem, or Bill O’Reilly.
There is a conversation topic we sometimes have when friends come over for cocktails. Everyone answers the question, “If you could invite 5 people to dinner, who would they be?”
Tim Russert was always on my list. Unfortunately, there will be an empty seat at my table.
There will also be an empty chair this Sunday. Who will say, “If it’s Sunday, it’s Meet The Press”?
posted by J. Jay @ 8:11 PM
1 comments
1 Comments:
He was a fine man.
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