Despite his history of involvement in the Democrat Party, he appeared to me to be trying his very best to be impartial and to do a public service to the American people by getting as close to the truth out of those he interviewed as possible. He grilled both Democrat and Republican politicians with an intensity and drive that no other journalist was able to match.
More importantly, what little I know of his personal life, I gained by reading his books, "Big Russ and Me" in particular, he seemed like a truly good human being, proud of his heritage, proud of his family and proud of his country.
In my opinion, we could use a lot more people like him. Prayers to his family.
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"Asking government to fix this crisis is like asking the arsonist to put out the fire." -Thomas Sowell
Posts: 4510 | Location: Dubai | Registered: Dec 20, 2002
Originally posted by cdr: Despite his history of involvement in the Democrat Party, he appeared to me to be trying his very best to be impartial and to do a public service to the American people by getting as close to the truth out of those he interviewed as possible. He grilled both Democrat and Republican politicians with an intensity and drive that no other journalist was able to match.
More importantly, what little I know of his personal life, I gained by reading his books, "Big Russ and Me" in particular, he seemed like a truly good human being, proud of his heritage, proud of his family and proud of his country.
In my opinion, we could use a lot more people like him. Prayers to his family.
His voice will be greatly missed during the upcoming Fall 2008 general election. Speaking as only a political junkie could. I enjoyed listening to him because he was open minded and fair. My thoughts and prayers are with his family.
Posts: 32 | Location: TX | Registered: Aug 21, 2007
As one of the "redder" members of this forum...I will miss him. For a journalist...he was about as fair as they come. He was a "standard" for his profession...one that unfortunately has been ignored...despite his left leaning tendencies.
This message has been edited. Last edited by: Robert Taylor,
Not that anyone really cares what I think or stand but [officially steps out of closet] I am as right wing as you can, social and economic conservative through and through - (I would make Newt Gingrich blush) and I am very upset about this news. Tim Russert from what I can discern was a loving family man and a hardworking dedicated journalist who while his personal political leanings may not be mine, he was not obvious (compared to 95% of his network media collegues) in his intentions and I happen to think was pretty honest in his reporting. He beat the crap out of the clintons and all of their staffers in the 90's every week during the lewinsky period and other scandals of that administration. I remember those shows. He crushed them. So to those who say he was just another Chris Matthews, you're wrong.
I would say meet the press under his stewardship was the most intelligent non-cable network political news program of the last 20 years.
RIP Tim Russert
This message has been edited. Last edited by: Robert Taylor,
Posts: 7345 | Location: Long Island, NY | Registered: Sep 27, 2003
I've always thought him to be a gentleman, a person of character and integrity, and I'm deeply saddened to hear that he is gone.
RIP Tim.
------------------------- "I always advise that before you say something bad about someone, you should walk a mile in their shoes. That way, if they get pissed off, you'll be a mile away and you'll have their shoes." - Willie Nelson
I am still stunned by the news. He was a great person and, in my opinion, a great journalist. As Board-O stated, "tough, but fair." I will miss him, particularly during this historic election year. Hard to believe he is gone.
Rest in peace.
Posts: 1727 | Location: NC | Registered: May 01, 2007
The man died at his desk. That's always how I thought I'd go.
He did what very few "journalists" do anymore. Asking the tough questions, and not stopping until he got answers. I'm so sick of these pretty boys/girls who for the past 15-20 years or so, lob softball questions and never ask relevent follow-ups. Politicians used to tremble when they heard that a "60 Minutes" crew was outside their door. Remember Huntley, Brinkley, Cronkite? They weren't hired for their looks, they were hired for their skills, intellect, and integrity. I count Russert among those men.
*********** "Cavemen ate nothing but unprocessed, organic foods, and they're all dead now."
Posts: 3936 | Location: Everett, WA | Registered: Mar 08, 2002
Truly a tragic loss for America. He was much more about WHAT was right or wrong instead of WHO was right or wrong. A good man who will be sorely missed. Hopefully he left enough of an impact that there will be some journalists that look at the man and say, that is how I want to be.
Maybe Tim Russert's greatest feat was the writing of "The Wisdom of our Fathers" which had a space inside it for you to write down to your dad your true feelings about your dad and give as a gift. How many people did this. Thousands including me. RIP!
Posts: 851 | Location: The OC | Registered: Oct 18, 2001
