Tim Russert

The news that Tim Russert, NBC's extraordinary newsman and political commentator, died yesterday, is still radiating through my house, as my wife and I - both avid Russert fans - sit on our couch in disbelief. We can't seem to stop watching the replays of NBC's special tributes, commentary on MSNBC, and reruns of old programs and interviews Russert had done.

This is the kind of news you don't expect to hear. The guy was 58. He is on TV all the time, seemingly daily in this, an election year, and he has looked healthy. Russert had a professional and personal energy that not only made him interesting to watch and easy to understand, but it allowed millions of viewers think he was their friend. Think of how much the casual watcher might know about Tim Russert - that he was from Buffalo, his dad was a garbageman, his son recently graduated from Boston College. Russert moderated Sunday morning's "Meet the Press", the longtime political program, and he was the NBC Washington Bureau Chief, but he seemed to so down-to-earth that, he was more like a friendly next-door neighbor, or the favorite uncle.

Russert passed away yeterday afternoon at his desk while writing for this Sunday's program. He died of a sudden heart attack. He had just returned from Italy, where he vacationed with his wife and son. He flew back before they did. What a horrible flight back to United States for them.

I remember, as many viewers do, when he broke out a dry erase white board during the 2000 election between Bush and Gore, trying to point out to people how many electoral votes were needed for each candidate to win. His early morning analysis of major political events put otherwise complicated or boring news into simple, understandable and entertaining terms.

NBC has lost a great journalist, and Americans have lost a dedicated and warm personality. Hearing anecdotes from his colleagues about how special he was has been moving, particularly Campbell Brown's story of when she gave birth to a son and Russert sent a note to the little boy saying how lucky he was to have such wonderful parents and to seek him out for an internship when he was old enough. He celebrated people's triumphs and shared in their grief. There just aren't a lot of people like that around.

A loss so many. His impact was profound. One commentator said journalism will not see another Tim Russert because of the time that Russert grew up, the 1950s, in a blue-collar city and neighborhood, with parents who instilled values. That commentator was right. It is even more a shame that Russert died on the eve of Father's Day weekend, during an election year that cries out for expert commentary and analysis. Russert's pastor said he "went home to God."
Russert, a devout Catholic, is, as colleague Matt Lauer said, writing on his white board right now, lining up interviews with notables in his new dimension.

Russert's passing leaves a gaping hole for NBC, on Sunday mornings, and in many households across America. Tuning into Nightly News, or the Today Show, or to a political debate, many of which he hosted, will not be the same.