Russert dies after collapsing at work

[Technosoul]

Bloomberg.com: U.S.


Tim Russert died of a heart attack on June, Friday the 13th while working at NBC today, he had just finished what is now his last interview. He is best known for his program "Meet The Press" which aired Sundays.

He was NBC's Washington's Bureau Chief. And known best for his no nonsense interveiws with political leaders. But he often appeared on other news shows to give his opinions and insights into political matters.

The forthcoming General Election will not be the same without, some people feel. Asking tough questions and allowing his guest to answer them fully, and most people being interviewed thought that he was fair in the kinds of questions he asked.

[Chaossaber314]

I saw this pop on CNN while I was biking. This is very sad.

[Technosoul]

Quote by: Chaossaber314 I saw this pop on CNN while I was biking. This is very sad.

PS - he was 58 years old.

I personally only watched Meet The Press a few times and hardly ever watched news on Sunday Morning. Athough he was an icon in the field, I thought that 60 mins was more interesting, most of the programs were a little bit too stuffy for my taste. But I hear he was really a food fellow and helped a lot of people out who were starting in the business of news reporting. Not sure how I would compare him to Barbara Walters.

Most of the people I think are good at interviewing never make it on those major networks such as NBC or CNN.

None the less, out of respect, it is a time for praise and not a time for downplaying how people conduct interviews.

[Sonart]

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Sad news indeed. Among the political punditocracy, Tim Russert was a true, and rare, class act. And a tough act to replace.


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[Jack]

I find it especially sad that he died just two days before Father's Day. From all appearances he deeply loved his son, and enjoyed being a son to his father. They both survived him and will have a tough time I'm sure of reconciling themselves to the fact of his death. But they're Catholic, so there'll be plenty of support available.

He was an excellent interviewer. He knew how to listen and was intelligent, articulate, informed and reasonably unbiased in his questioning. Still, he was an "everyman" in his exuberant love of baseball and his mid-western values.

No doubt he'll join the pantheon of great journalists, each of whom in their own way attempted to inform the public with no regard for being entertaining.

[Sweet Katie]

Tim Russert was virtually the only bright spot on a news network (NBC) that has lost almost all of its journalistic integrity. Russert didn't rise in his field because of his Hollywood good looks but rather because of the passion he showed and his uncanny analytical ability . . . I remember Russert predicting that the Presidential election between Bush and Gore would come down to "Florida, Florida, Florida . . . " That was the first time I was genuinely impressed by a reporter's analytical ability.

[Chaossaber314]

Quote by: Technosoul PS - he was 58 years old.

Yes he was. Am I not supposed to be sad?

[maximdewinter]

Quote by: Technosoul Bloomberg.com: U.S. Tim Russert died of a heart attack on June, Friday the 13th while working at NBC today, he had just finished what is now his last interview. He is best known for his program "Meet The Press" which aired Sundays. He was NBC's Washington's Bureau Chief. And known best for his no nonsense interveiws with political leaders. But he often appeared on other news shows to give his opinions and insights into political matters. The forthcoming General Election will not be the same without, some people feel. Asking tough questions and allowing his guest to answer them fully, and most people being interviewed thought that he was fair in the kinds of questions he asked.

I really liked and admired Tim Russert. After watching Meet the Press and after reading his book "Big Russ and Me" I still was never sure of what his personal politics were. That is rare. I can't think of anyone else who could replace him...particularly someone who would have a similar courage to buck the trend at NBC.

I am saddened but also predictably annoyed. Any time a first rank news correspondent dies we are assured of the same coverage as when a head of state dies. When Cronkite or Rather leave this orb, hold on for wall to wall coverage. We have long lost the sense that journalists are not themselves the news thanks to Big News' magnification of its own importance.

[Maryjane]

Yes, sad news indeed. I enjoyed his interviews and no nonsense opinions on Meet the Press. A great man, and a great legacy.

I find it especially sad that he died just two days before Father's Day. From all appearances he deeply loved his son, and enjoyed being a son to his father. They both survived him and will have a tough time I'm sure of reconciling themselves to the fact of his death. But they're Catholic, so there'll be plenty of support available.

Yes, I heard the usual platitude, "it was God's plan" from some priest last night. I wonder how many times they will hear that sentiment and if his family truly finds it comforting?

[Technosoul]

Quote by: maximdewinter I really liked and admired Tim Russert. After watching Meet the Press and after reading his book "Big Russ and Me" I still was never sure of what his personal politics were. That is rare. I can't think of anyone else who could replace him...particularly someone who would have a similar courage to buck the trend at NBC. I am saddened but also predictably annoyed. Any time a first rank news correspondent dies we are assured of the same coverage as when a head of state dies. When Cronkite or Rather leave this orb, hold on for wall to wall coverage. We have long lost the sense that journalists are not themselves the news thanks to Big News' magnification of its own importance.

Like I mentioned I never saw too much of the Meet The Press programs, but I sure remember Tim Russert, mostly because he would appear on other shows as a pundant. For some reason I always thought he was more of a conservative then he was a democrat, relative to his opinions.

When Dan Rather was "released" from duty I saw more and more spots being filled by those "pretty faces" on TV shows - as programers attempted to duplicate a family like situation with a motherly and fatherly image, and a weatherman who was the funny uncle. Like sitting at the supper table with mom and pop. Most of the unattractive people had to stick to radio shows as shock jocks who's main goal is to get callers mad about some topic.

Few reporter type interview shows have hosts who are popular enough to do what they wish without the station programers and rating consultants regulating the topic matter. Some of the CNN "in the field" reporters come up with some good "speical reports" that are informative.

Larry King and Barbara Walters seem to be two of the last of a breed. I seldom watch the three networks news shows anymore because they do not go into depth and deal mostly with quickie soundbites and interviews where the host keeps changing the topic rather then following up with unscripted questions. On CNN Wolf seems to be the less bias of the hosts, perhaps Anderson. Most personalities only show up for interviews if they are running for office or have written a book have a movie out, or to promote a charity they are involved in.

What major news station conducted an interview with Rev Wright? None that I knew about, and yet he was the subject of a lot of news. When did you last you see an interview with a head staffer from Green Peace? I wish I were a News station programmer for CNN, I would even have a hour show where the host would interview those Lobby Groups and so-called Speical Interest Groups (spokepersons).