Tim Russert 1950-2008

Anyone who knows me knows that I am a huge political junkie. From a very young age I was saturated with politics on the local and national level. During the 1988 election I was 9 years old and making signs to wave around in the living room while we watched the convention and subsequent election coverage. So yeah, big junkie. Throughout high school, college and beyond I was a dedicated viewer of Meet the Press. Between that and CBS Sunday Morning (first with Charles Kuralt and later with Charles Osgood) I always had my Sunday mornings covered. Friends in college were always confused as to why I voluntarily got up so early Sunday morning but it was never a question. I had to watch Meet the Press. In later life, at the end of a work week I found myself talking with my parents on the phone discussing who Russert was going to have on the show Sunday. I can say that I think over the past 15 years or so, I've probably missed a few dozen shows if that, most likely less. Tim Russert was a true journalistic hero of mine, up there with Cronkite and Edward R Murrow. Russert was not some windbag obsessed with his image and fame and his own opinions, he was passionate about politics and a masterful journalist. He very often asked the exact question you would ask had you been given the chance. He did his job so well and was a true class act. Hearing about his death was a very sad thing because I think as time goes on, we have less and less examples in the media of people who take it as seriously as Tim did, as focused and as dedicated. His work has had an impact on my life as a political junkie and as a father. Tim Russert was a transformative figure in american politics and its a truly sad thing that he has passed. Rest in peace.