Tim Russert just colapsed and died.

[clambake]

RIP

you always had a way of finding the truth.

[xrayzebra]

When did this happen clan?

[JoeChalupa]

Shocking news. RIP I've watched Meet the Press as often as I can on Sunday mornings and also the Tim Russert show. I know many in here will think he's nothing but a liberal pundit but I really enjoyed his political analysis and his famous "clip board" during the elections.

[xrayzebra]

lifted from drudge report.

BREAKING NEWS
NBC News and MSNBC
updated 7 minutes ago

WASHINGTON - Tim Russert, NBC News’ Washington bureau chief and the moderator of “Meet the Press,” died Friday after collapsing in the bureau, NBC News said Friday. He was 58.

Russert was recording voiceovers for Sunday’s “Meet the Press” program when he collapsed, the network said. No details were immediately available.

Russert, the recipient of 48 honorary doctorates, took over the helm of “Meet the Press” in December 1991. Now in its 60th year, “Meet the Press” is the longest-running program in the history of television.

In 2008, Time Magazine named him one of the 100 most influential people in the world.

Timothy John Russert Jr. was born in Buffalo, N.Y., on May 7, 1950. He was a graduate of Canisius High School, John Carroll University and the Cleveland-Marshall College of Law. He was a member of the bar in New York and the District of Columbia.

Senate staffer before entering journalism
After graduating from law school, Russert went into politics as a staff operative. In 1976, he worked on the Senate campaign of Daniel Patrick Moynihan, D-N.Y., and in 1982, he worked on Mario Cuomo’s campaign for governor of New York.

Russert joined NBC News in 1984. In April 1985, he supervised the live broadcasts of NBC's TODAY show from Rome, negotiating and arranging an appearance by Pope John Paul II, a first for American television. In 1986 and 1987, Russert led NBC News’ weeklong broadcasts from South America, Australia and China.

Of his background as a Democratic political operative, Russert said, “My views are not important.”

“Lawrence Spivak, who founded ‘Meet the Press,’ told me before he died that the job of the host is to learn as much as you can about your guest’s positions and take the other side,” he said in a 2007 interview with Time magazine. “And to do that in a persistent and civil way. And that’s what I try to do every Sunday.”

Cuomo, Russert’s onetime boss, wrote of Russert: “Most candidates are not eager to present themselves for Tim’s incisive scrutiny, which is fed by his prodigious study and preparation. But they have little choice: appearing on ‘Meet the Press’ is today as vital to a serious candidate as being properly registered to vote.”

Russert wrote two books — “Big Russ and Me” in 2004 and “Wisdom of Our Fathers” in 2006 — both of which were New York Times best-sellers.

Emmy for Reagan funeral coverage
In 2005, Russert was awarded an Emmy for his role in the coverage of the funeral of President Ronald Reagan. His “Meet the Press” interviews with George W. Bush and Al Gore in 2000 won the Radio and Television Correspondents’ highest honor, the Joan S. Barone Award, and the Annenberg Center’s Walter Cronkite Award.

Russert’s March 2000 interview of Sen. John McCain shared the 2001 Edward R. Murrow Award for Overall Excellence in Television Journalism. He was also the recipient of the John Peter Zenger Award, the American Legion Journalism Award, the Veterans of Foreign Wars News Media Award, the Congressional Medal of Honor Society Journalism Award, the Allen H. Neuharth Award for Excellence in Journalism, the David Brinkley Award for Excellence in Communication and the Catholic Academy for Communication’s Gabriel Award. He was a member of the Broadcasting & Cable Hall of Fame.

Russert was a trustee of the Freedom Forum’s Newseum and a member of the board of directors of the Greater Washington Boys and Girls Club, and America’s Promise — Alliance for Youth.

In 1995, the National Father’s Day Committee named him “Father of the Year,” Parents magazine honored him as “Dream Dad” in 1998, and in 2001 the National Fatherhood Initiative also recognized him as Father of the Year.

Irish America magazine named him one of the top 100 Irish Americans in the country, and he was selected as a Fellow of the Commission of European Communities.

Russert is survived by his wife, Maureen Orth, a writer for Vanity Fair magazine, and a son, Luke.

Check back soon for more on this breaking story.

[Extra Stout]

Wow. A shock.

[clambake]

When did this happen clan?

just a short time ago. i think they said he was at work and collapsed from a heart attack.

[clambake]

ray with a post from 7 minutes ago. way to go you old bloodhound.

[George Gervin's Afro]

Wow

I really liked the guy. RIP

You never really know the day when there is no tomorrow

[DarrinS]

shocking


RIP

[PEP]

Damn. Hillary has begun to get even......RIP

This means there are no other mainstream journalists that will ask tough questions of Obama.

[xrayzebra]

Wasn't he the one that ask Hillary about the drivers license that kinda started thing going downhill for her?

[PixelPusher]

It's hard to imagine how his dad feels right now.

[JoeChalupa]

I highly recommend “Wisdom of Our Fathers” to everyone especially on this Father's Day weekend. It is a great read. :tu

[Marcus Bryant]

A loss to those who viewed politics as something more than spamming this forum with nonsense.

[JoeChalupa]

A loss to those who viewed politics as something more than spamming this forum with nonsense.

It is all part of political talk whether it be in here or at the water fountain. Believe me, I've been to enough parties where politics is discussed and you'll hear all kinds of stories from the serious to the dailykos, limbaugh, coulter types of conversations.

[Marcus Bryant]

It is all part of political talk whether it be in here or at the water fountain. Believe me, I've been to enough parties where politics is discussed and you'll hear all kinds of stories from the serious to the dailykos, limbaugh, coulter types of conversations.

That is the background noise of political discussion in this country.

[G-Nob]

Live everyday like its your last on earth.

[JoeChalupa]

Live everyday like its your last on earth.

Words to live by. I know this kind of story opens my 47 yr old eyes. I need to get my ass in shape!! I was once a lean, mean fighting machine. Semper Fi!!!
I can do it again. I can't even imagine how his family is feeling right now and I for one don't want to leave mine at a young age of 58. My prayers go out to his family.

[Mr. Peabody]

I'm shocked. I saw the headline on Google News, but I couldn't read the article for an hour or so because I was meeting with someone. :depressed

Damn. My Sunday morning ritual is getting up at 7am to read the paper, drink coffee and watch MTP at 8 am. :depressed

Shit. I hope they don't replace him with someone like Olbermann....:nope

[boutons_]

Always amazing that such intelligent, wealthy people get ambushed by CVD.

[Aggie Hoopsfan]

Sad. RIP.

[possessed]

Damn, that sucks. :wow

R.I.P.

[greenroom]

Rip

[N.Y. Johnny]

Tim Russert will be missed, I liked watching the guy and hearing him moderate Meet The Press on Sundays. He's one of the few guys that I don't want to throw something at the TV when I see him come on.

[Don Quixote]

Wow. I liked Russert. He was probably a lefty, but he was generally alright and fair to everyone. He will be missed.

[Don Quixote]

Damn. Hillary has begun to get even......RIP

This means there are no other mainstream journalists that will ask tough questions of Obama.

Yeah, I was thinking the same thing. You mess with the Clintons, and this happens.

But seriously, Russert was a true gentleman and I will miss him.

[Mr. Peabody]

Wow. I liked Russert. He was probably a lefty, but he was generally alright and fair to everyone. He will be missed.

Wow, really? I always assumed he leaned to the right, especially when it was alleged that he was involved in the Plame scandal. Plus, didn't Cheney tell colleagues that he could always use MTP for good PR.

I guess it's a tribute to Russert that we got conflicting signals on his politics.

[Don Quixote]

I honestly don't know what he was. I'd assume he was a lefty (the big networks don't let righties be anchors, we can be conservative commentators, but not anchors). But he was respectful and a good journalist.

Let's hope we don't see Matthews or Olbermann anywhere near his job.

[Don Quixote]

"He was the closest thing there was at any of the networks to an objective journalist."

--Rush Limbaugh.

More on the conservative talk radio reaction here: http://radioequalizer.blogspot.com/2008/06/talk-radio-reacts-to-news-of-tim.html

[Mr. Peabody]

Let's hope we don't see Matthews or Olbermann anywhere near his job.

I doubt it would happen. Matthews and Olbermann are too open with their biases. You should at least give the impression of neutrality on shows like MTP. Plus, Olbermann and Matthews don't have the same gravitas a guy like Russert brings. I'm not saying Russert was a Murrow or Cronkite, but he was a more serious journalist than Matthews or Olbermann.

[Don Quixote]

More here from the venerable National Review

http://corner.nationalreview.com/

[ChumpDumper]

I honestly don't know what he was. I'd assume he was a lefty (the big networks don't let righties be anchors, we can be conservative commentators, but not anchors). But he was respectful and a good journalist.

Let's hope we don't see Matthews or Olbermann anywhere near his job.My guess would be that Brokaw might take over the job temporarily, but it's true the only regular guy in house that could pull that job off right now is Brian Williams. They'll probably keep Williams on the nightly news and try to reign in David Gregory for MTP.

[bresilhac]

RIP Tim Russert. You were a credit to your profession.

[boutons_]

8 p.m. | Russert’s Doctor:

Dr. Michael A. Newman, Mr. Russert’s internist, just told Andrea Mitchell that Mr. Russert had coronary artery disease, but no symptoms. He had done everything he was supposed to do to manage the disease, although his weight was a problem. The doctor said that such attacks can’t be anticipated, but a defibrillator can make a difference.

("He had done everything he was supposed to do to manage the disease, although his weight was a problem." Apart from that Mrs. Lincoln, how was the play? )

Here’s what he said: Mr. Russert was managing his risk factors well, through diet and exercise. He had a stress test April 29, got to a high level of exercise and was pleased with himself. This very morning, he was on his tread mill and was always excited about how he pushed himself.

("Mr. Russert was managing his risk factors well" Obesity is a huge risk factor, TR failed to manage his obesity at all. )

These incidents occur without warning, the doctor said, and there’s no way to anticipate them. He could have had a stress test today and it might have been normal. But there was a rupture of cholesterol plaque in the wall of the coronary artery, which results in a heart attack, or what he called a fatal ventricular arrhythmia.

Dr. Newman said the autopsy showed that Mr. Russert had an enlarged heart and significant coronary artery disease. “We could see fresh clot in the coronary artery,” he said.

Ms. Mitchell: He was vigorous, in the middle of recording the opening sequence for Sunday’s “Meet the Press.” She said the EMT arrived very quickly and asked the doctor. She asked the doctor, “Is there anything they could have done?”

Mr. Newman said that within a few moments, “it was recognized that Tim was in trouble.” An NBC intern who was certified in CPR began CPR “and that was helpful.”

But, he said, “a defibrillator is what makes the difference” in these sudden cardiac arrests. The D.C. EMS arrived and promptly defibrillated him. He said Mr. Russert was never resuscitated. “Even in witnessed cardiac arrests, survival is about 5 percent.”

Dr. Newman said that Mr. Russert’s weight “was an issue,” and Mr. Russert “struggled with it.” He concluded that the episode made us “appreciate the uncertainty of our lives.”

( how about appreciating the certainty of excess weight as disease and disease-causing? )

Ms. Mitchell responded, “He’s with the angels.”

Later, Mr. Brokaw said that Mr. Russert was trying to manage his weight and had lost 10 pounds over the last several months. Mr. Brokaw said he didn’t know about the heart condition, but he knew that Mr. Russert was concerned about his father and was planning the trip to Italy. “He was burning it at both ends,” Mr. Brokaw said.

http://thecaucus.blogs.nytimes.com/2008/06/13/russert-dies-of-apparent-heart-attack/?em&ex=1213588800&en=5e42c7a7a878179d&ei=5087%0A

=========

Such an avoidable, unnecessary waste. Tim was at the top of his career and influence, could have continued another 10+ years, easy.

[MannyIsGod]

My guess would be that Brokaw might take over the job temporarily, but it's true the only regular guy in house that could pull that job off right now is Brian Williams. They'll probably keep Williams on the nightly news and try to reign in David Gregory for MTP.

Its gotta be Gregory or Brokaw. Williams is too meh imo. I don't know though, I don't think anyone can step in and take over for him other than Brokaw. Gregory is just not enough for me, but he's the only other guy I can see filling it unless they go for someone totally outside.

No way Matthews gets it and even less chance for Olberman. I think Matthews is actually on the way out with NBC but I'm not totally sure.

[jochhejaam]

I guess it's a tribute to Russert that we got conflicting signals on his politics.

Well said Peabody.

Tragic. May God help his family and friends through this.





"It seems the good die young"

[Wild Cobra]

Wow. I liked Russert. He was probably a lefty, but he was generally alright and fair to everyone. He will be missed.
I agree. He was at least fair about things. I think the last remaining high profile democrat with honor has died.

Are there any left?

[Wild Cobra]

Wow, really? I always assumed he leaned to the right, especially when it was alleged that he was involved in the Plame scandal. Plus, didn't Cheney tell colleagues that he could always use MTP for good PR.

I guess it's a tribute to Russert that we got conflicting signals on his politics.
I think anyone who thinks Russert was to the right doesn't realize how far left they are.

[Mr. Peabody]

I think anyone who thinks Russert was to the right doesn't realize how far left they are.

I explained my reasons for assuming he leaned right, namely that he was rumored to have been involved in the Plame scandal and that the Bush White House felt that MTP was a favorable environment for them.

As far as me not realizing "how far left" I am, I've always said on this board that I am as liberal as they come. I don't think I've ever tried to make anyone believe anything different.

[Mr. Peabody]

I think the last remaining high profile democrat with honor has died.

Are there any left?

No. All of the truly honorable people are in the GOP.:rolleyes

[Wild Cobra]

No. All of the truly honorable people are in the GOP.:rolleyes

I never implied such a thing. However, I can think of honorable republicans. Very few though.

Who is left, on the left?

[pooh]

Williams is going to host MTP this coming week, but I don't know who they'll get right now. I'm sure they'll have "guest" moderators until one can be found. I really hope they don't get Olberman, after the way he's been acting this week on his own show, "Countdown" I wouldn't want him on there at all. He's too one-sided. Williams would be a good choice but he's so "monitoned" that I don't think people will embrace him like they did with Russert.

Matthews could do it, but they might want to go with someone younger, who knows? But it's going to be a very tough act for someone to come in and fill Russerts' shoes that's for sure.

[Extra Stout]

Either Olbermann or Matthews would be such utter disasters on MTP that it would end up being cancelled.

[balli]

Man, I don't mind Chris Matthews that much on his MSNBC venue, but it would kill me to see him on Meet the Press. That was like my second thought when I heard the news; dear god, please don't let Chris Matthews take over.

[Extra Stout]

There really aren't enough of the straight, tough, fair-minded, even-keel journalists left out there in this shrieking hypersensationalist shock-jock sock-puppet era of "journalism" for NBC to have that many options left for MTP.