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.
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 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.
--Rush Limbaugh."He was the closest thing there was at any of the networks to an objective journalist."
More on the conservative talk radio reaction here: http://radioequalizer.blogspot.com/2...ws-of-tim.html
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.
More here from the venerable National Review
http://corner.nationalreview.com/
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.
RIP Tim Russert. You were a credit to your profession.
8 p.m. | Russert’s Doctor:
Dr. Michael A. Newman, Mr. Russert’s internist, just told Andrea Mitc 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. Mitc : 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. Mitc 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/2...79d&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.
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.
Well said Peabody.
Tragic. May God help his family and friends through this.
"It seems the good die young"
Last edited by jochhejaam; 06-14-2008 at 07:13 AM.
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?
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.
No. All of the truly honorable people are in the GOP.
I never implied such a thing. However, I can think of honorable republicans. Very few though.No. All of the truly honorable people are in the GOP.
Who is left, on the left?
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.
Either Olbermann or Matthews would be such utter disasters on MTP that it would end up being cancelled.
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.
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.
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