Tim Russert, 1950-2008
TV News just got a lot less smart: Tim Russert, NBC News' Washington Bureau Chief, moderator of "Meet the Press" and one of the best political analysts on TV, died today of an apparent heart attack while at work. He had just returned from a vacation in Italy and had taped an episode of his MSNBC show this morning before his death.
Russert didn't engage in the usual soundbites of TV news but instead provided thoughtful analysis. He asked those who appeared on "Meet the Press" tough and thoughtful questions. It's a wonder they let him on TV.
Here's MSNBC's announcement of Russert's death:
And here's Russert from just a month ago, while he was dismantling Clinton campaign advisor Terry McAuliffe as the latter was insisting Hillary still had a chance of winning the Democratic Presidential nomination. McAuliffe made the mistake of suggesting Russert's dad, Big Russ (about whom Russert wrote lovingly in his two bestsellers), was dead. Tim drolly but firmly set the record straight:
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About this blog
David Kronke was appointed Mayor of Television after a bloodless coup in 2000. Since then, he has improved infrastructure, championed greater educational opportunities and fought for reforms that have utterly erased corruption and incompetence from the television industry. Since Mr. Kronke has ascended to power, Television is a far better place.
This was so sad. I will miss him in the upcoming election coverage, and I've watched many tributes to him over the past couple of days. He was a really great guy.
The stupid-ass newspaper where I live relegated the story of his death to page 2A and instead chose to run yet another story about Cuba on the front page. Assholes.