JOURNALISM LOSES A GIANT
June 13th, 2008, 2:56 pm · Post a Comment · posted by Dan Lehr
WASHINGTON (AP) - Family members say NBC’s Tim Russert has died. They tell The New York Times that Russert died of an apparent heart attack. The host of NBC’s “Meet the Press” was 58. Longtime NBC anchor Tom Brokaw confirmed Russert’s death, in a special report on NBC. Brokaw says Russert’s death came during a political campaign that “he loved.” He called Russert a “beloved colleague” and “one of the premier journalists of our time.”
There’s not much more to say. We’re all rather stunned, frankly. The entire newsroom stopped what it was doing just now to watch Brokaw’s special report. Meet the Press has long been a Sunday morning tradition in my household, especially during this year. It is a crying shame that Russert will not see how this race ends up. Please join me in saying a prayer for his family, especially his father, who’s about to have a tough Sunday.
UPDATE: John McCain’s statement:
“I am very saddened by Tim Russert’s sudden death. Cindy and I extend our thoughts and prayers to the Russert family as they cope with this shocking loss and remember the life and legacy of a loving father, husband and the preeminent political journalist of his generation. 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. I was proud to call him a friend, and in the coming days, we will pay tribute to a life whose contributions to us all will long endure.”
UPDATE: Barack Obama responds:
“I considered him not only a journalist but a friend,” Obama said. “There wasn’t a better interviewer on television, a more thoughtful analysts about politics.” He was “one of the finest men I know,” said Obama.
“I am grief-stricken with loss and my thoughts and prayers go out to his family.”
UPDATE: President Bush issues a statement:
“Laura and I are deeply saddened by the sudden passing of Tim Russert. Those of us who knew and worked with Tim, his many friends, and the millions of Americans who loyally followed his career on the air will all miss him.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.
Most important, Tim was a proud son and father, and Laura and I offer our deepest sympathies to his wife Maureen, his son Luke, and the entire Russert family. We will keep them in our prayers.”
NewsChannel 9 is also attempting to get reaction from Tennessee 3rd District Congressman Zach Wamp, who called us to let us know he’d be willing to make a statement. Check NewsChannel9.com for the video of that once it comes in.
