16 June 2008

Tim Russert

On Friday, I was driving home when I heard the news about Tim Russert. I almost careened into the some hedges off 53 and had to pull over. The sadness is still here this morning. Someone described his passing as "unjust" and that seems the most fitting term. I saw a recent interview with Russert where he said the coverage of the 2008 election ranks up there among the most exciting moments of his career, how he felt it a privilege to be a part of history in the making. His spirit was uncontainable, like he couldnt believe he got to do what he did for a living. While witnessing history in the making is a privilege, recognizing your own good fortune as it's happening is a true gift -- the very definition of happiness. I hope that is a comfort to his family, that he knew he was lucky. And, in my opinion, nobody in the news business was more deserving. In a cynical, increasingly mean-spirited profession, he was tough but always maintained civility. Always. A true gentleman. There will never, ever be another Tim Russert.

5 comments:

Pam said...

I watched the Today show this morning and found myself in tears. Tim Russert's passing is so shocking to me. You are absolutely correct in saying there will never, ever be another Tim Russert.

Anonymous said...

Agreed. He was a class act, impossible to follow.

Kevin Kosh said...

Here here Kate. Well said. It is sad that we have to see Tim as unique for his balance, his fairness, his integrity and his genuine enthusiasm for what was -- for him at least -- a true calling.

He will be sorely missed. Gotta say, Matt Lauer made a good point over the weekend stating that it's "hard to find good in this." Maybe the example Tim set in his journalism and his life will find a home beyond memorials. One can hope.

Anonymous said...

Only Tim Russert could get me to watch "Meet the Press" every Sunday. This is coming from a girl who gets most of her news from perezhilton.com. You could sense his goodness and integrity through the tv screen. In a mean-spirited profession, he remained true.

Tim Griffin said...

Sunday morning coffee will never be the same.