R.I.P. Tim Russert

NBC News lost one of its standard bearers today when Tim Russert passed away after collapsing at the Washington bureau. He was 58.

From MSNBC:

NBC’s Tim Russert dead at 58
Washington bureau chief, ‘Meet the Press’ moderator collapsed on job
BREAKING NEWS
NBC News and MSNBC
updated 15 minutes ago

WASHINGTON – Tim Russert, NBC News’ Washington bureau chief and the moderator of “Meet the Press,” died Friday after being stricken at the bureau, NBC News said Friday. He was 58.

Russert was recording voiceovers for Sunday’s “Meet the Press” broadcast when he collapsed, the network said.

He had recently returned from Italy, where his family was celebrating the graduation of Russert’s son, Luke, from Boston College.

No further details were immediately available.

. . .

Full text of article here

MSNBC remembers Tim here:

Tim Russert remembered
Tim Russert remembered

We recall one interview that Tim did with Stephen here:

Colbert on comedy
Colbert on comedy

Mr. Russert also interviewed Stephen last year at the Lisner Auditorium, an event I was fortunate enough to attend. I state with no uncertainty that he was an excellent interviewer, an entertaining participant in the evening, and a very well-respected figure.

I wish the best to his family and friends in this very painful time.

Comments

  1. Megan says:

    I’ve been watching MSNBC for the past hour and a half. Usually I don’t get sad about stuff like this, but he was one of the few that I liked. This election won’t be the same with him gone, and I will miss him.

    RIP

    I just read your review from when Tim interviewed Stephen at the book signing.

    “Russert’s best line of the evening, IMO, came when he was asking Stephen about a possible running mate. Russert said that he’d heard Stephen was considering Sen. Larry Craig as a running mate, and they bantered about that for a while, with Stephen tossing out innuendo like, “I’ve reached out to him . . . ” and “We had – you can call it a ‘conversation’ . . . “, etc. At that point, Russert said, “Are you STALLING?” and everyone, including Stephen, cracked up. Stephen got out of his chair and down on one knee in tribute to that line.”

    That just made me laugh, and made me sad all at once.

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  2. looped linear says:

    I’m shocked. RIP Mr Russert.

    My sympathies to his family. Death is never easy to handle; sudden death is especially hard.

    He was comparatively young, too.

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  3. Lisa says:

    My most sincere condolences to his family and friends during such a difficult time. May he rest in peace.

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  4. wildlymissingthemark says:

    this is so shocking. I loved his interview with Stephen on Meet the Press. Condolences to the family.

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  5. Lucy says:

    Condolences to his family, friends and everyone at NBC News. I loved his interview with Stephen and his interviews on TDS. He will be missed.

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  6. W&M_NU says:

    Mr. Russert was my “go to” guy for the last two elections and I was looking forward to watching him in action again this year.

    I am deeply saddened and he will be sorely missed.

    My condolences to his family and friends.

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  7. Fleur says:

    I just hear about Tim’s passing 5 minutes ago, and I’m absolutely shocked. My sympathy and condolences to his family, friends and colleagues. RIP Mr. Russert.

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  8. AmandaIvy says:

    Wow.

    My infinite condolences to Mr. Russert’s family. may he rest in peace.

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  9. Jenny with a Y says:

    Like everyone else, I am shocked and saddened by this news. My prayers and condolences go out to Mr. Russert’s family. He is definitely going to be missed.

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  10. ColbertGirl27 says:

    Tim Russert was one of the few people on cable news that I greatly respected and admired. Thoughtful, intelligent, respectful. A man of integrity. He will be missed. Rest in peace Tim Russert.

    My condolences and prayers to his family.

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  11. Tonks says:

    I was really sad when I found out. Thanks for posting that out-of-character interview, I hadn’t seen it! Of course, my condolences. he was one of the best.

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  12. mrtigger001 says:

    I found this out while watching the news at the gym, and I was so sad! Such a big loss for journalism. He was one of the best there was, so incisive and yet so down-to-earth. Watching the Take Two interview with Stephen Colbert, it was just two nice guys and it was so pleasing to watch.

    I think the folks over at the Daily Show had a lot of respect for him as well. In America (The Book), only two journalists were lauded for quality reporting. One was Ted Koppel. The other was Tim Russert.

    I will miss you, Tim.

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  13. Kinaesthesia says:

    I really enjoyed that Lisner event last year. Tim was engaging, a great conversationalist with Stephen, and funny in his own right. He will be missed.

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  14. MelO says:

    The man was an awesome journalist. This is such a loss.

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  15. Laaaura says:

    I was really shocked and saddened when I heard. May he rest in peace.

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  16. ColbertFaninChicago says:

    A class act. I couldn’t help but noticing that he was also one of the Time 100 most influential people, and wondered if Stephen would ever break character for a tribute to a fellow “listee.”

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  17. I can’t believe he’s gone. I don’t even know what to say. *tears*

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  18. Caitlin says:

    I grieve for the loss of one of the few news analysts with genuine integrity and intelligence. I found his commentaries on the election alongside Brian Williams on the Nightly News some of the most insightful in the entire media community. He contributed to the discourse and elevated my expectations for reportage. Tim Russert will be missed in so many ways.

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  19. Mary Mosby says:

    To the family of Tim
    My heart is full for you all
    today .Big Russ you did good
    he made me understand a lot of thing better and i never met him but he was in my home every sunday and I will miss him .
    Mary Mosby of Cleveland Ohio
    May God Keep You And Bless You All to his wife and son thank you for sharing your very special paer with me.

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  20. Joe & Grace Henzel says:

    Eternal rest grant to him Lord and let perpetual light shine upon this wonderful young man. Thanks Lord for gracing us with his presence on earth for 58 yrs. He set an example of moral goodness for all of us to follow. Amen

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  21. Shirley Platten says:

    I always liked Tim Russert because he spoke directly to me but after reading his book, which my Son gave to me, “Big Russ And Me” I truly loved this man. Here was a man who was real, honest and down to earth. What will we do without him? The world needs more Tim Russerts but I guess God needed him more in Heaven. I will miss him and I know billions of people will miss him but everything happens for a reason and maybe thru his passing the world will remember what a good man looks like. God bless his family how lucky they were to have him.

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  22. Dave says:

    2008 has brought the death of my wife in April and now you Tim. I a huge fan of both I am, and now the angels have you.
    Sweet sorrow I feel but say hi to my wife.
    Dave Flanagan
    Ottawa, Canada

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  23. ColbertGirl27 says:

    My priest actually talked about Tim Russert during his homily today and cited passages from his book “Big Russ and Me.”

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  24. Lisa says:

    MSNBC is pretty much doing an around-the-clock vigil for him. Many news anchors are sharing some wonderful heartwarming stories about him and even though his passing is exceptionally sad, it’s really nice to watch if anyone’s interested.

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  25. Terrie Cote says:

    To Maureen and Luke, Please accept my condolences and prayers for the repose of Tim. He was a GREAT man and was part of my every Sunday morning.

    I will miss him a LOT!
    Terrie Cote

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  26. Doris Roll says:

    I did not know Tim but I felt I did know him. he Tim was a wonderful man, I’m so sad, I have shed a lot of tears, he must have been a great son, he loved his father so.Loved his son Luke.
    My Thoughts and Prayes go to Maureen, Luke and Big Russ, I have been thru this lost my husband 22 years ago from the same thing as Tim. God be with you all. God is good.

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