Tim Russert dies

Terrible news.

Got to shake hands with him at the Republican debate here in FL. One of the best pundits out there.

For years I wanted someone to pull his finger when he made one of those pointing gestures while looking into the camera lens on MTP. Just to see what would happen. Now we'll never know.

In all seriousness though, I'm reminded of the sadness I felt at Mike Kelly's death, and I think I know why: both of these guys, although of radically different approaches to media, were unabashedly true to their northern, blue-collar roots. Their journalism was of the shoe-leather and union card-carrying newsroom variety, quite unlike these Columbia journalism majors who concoct the news coverage these days.

Very sad. Prayers for his family.

Rod: Lord, to go through Father's Day this Sunday, Luke and Big Russ. Have mercy.

You have touched the heart of the matter most poignantly. God grant solace to his family in their grief.

Tim Russert was a Catholic, and as they used to pray in the church that is no more:

Requiem aeternam dona ei, Domine, et lux perpetua luceat ei. Anima eius and animae omnium fidelium defunctorum per misericordiam Dei, requiescant in pace. Per Christum Dominum nostrum. Amen.

(Eternal rest grant unto him, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon him. May his soul and the souls of all the faithful departed through the mercy of God rest in peace. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.)

I dislike it when people my age die. It makes me feel old.

But then think of all those poor folks in heaven who will have to fear being interviewed by him for all eternity.

I looked forward to watching podcast of "Meet the press. Tim Russert was such a fair and even handed guy and the joy he took in his work was always evident.

I will miss his level commentary, more so in these unique times.

Tim Russert was a gentleman, and at a time and in a place when there are fewer of them every day. We needed him around for longer than he was. He'll be missed.

May he rest in peace. He will be missed.

May he rest in peace. And may all the MSM do so too.

It was only upon reading of his death that I learned Tim Russert had once been a Democratic political insider, working for Pat Moynihan and Mario Cuomo. It is a tribute to his integrity and professionalism that I watched him for many years without any inkling of his personal views; that's how fair he was to his subjects.

I was also encouraged to learn of his devout Catholic faith. How unfortunate for journalism and for our country that to find an unashamed Christian in the profession comes as such a surprise. I look forward to meeting Tim in heaven one day. God bless the Russert family.

catholic to the core , did you need to tell that part of the story, i pissed with tim russert please, is that your claim to fame you moron ,you should have let the man piss in peace you freak

Sunday mornings have a huge hole...a crater in fact now. And an even bigger and more present hole is left in a loving family, may God grant them peace and a group of wonderful friends to comfort them.

There's just no one like him out there that can fill his shoes. Matt Lauer said it well this morning when discussing the oft mentioned trait of "tough but fair." He said Tim knew the difference between a tough question and a "gotcha" question and he always strived for the former. I appreciated that he'd ask a sharp question or ask about a potentially damaging or controversial quote, but then (listen carefully O'Reilly, Hannity, et al) he shut up and gave them plenty of time to answer. So many of these blowhards think the way to show they are tough is by badgering, interrupting, cutting people off to ask another question, all but shouting at people. It's nauseating.

God, I appreciate that You alone determine the span of a man's days on this earth. Forgive me for wishing You'd have let us have this one a little longer. This year's election coverage just won't be the same.

We're here first and foremost to be fathers. Of all the great things Tim Russert did I believe his writing the story of his relationship with his father will be the most lasting and make the most difference in the greatest number of lives.

His passing on Friday the thirteenth on the Father's Day that's on the June the fifteenth will make sure of that. It comes around often. The reason I know is I married a widow. Her first husband died Father's Day June fifteenth in 1986. She was devastated Friday when we learned of Tim's death. If it was Sunday and we were home and it was nine in the morning we were watching Tim Russert.

Tim knew the importance of being a father. Instead of preaching it like most of us are inclined to do. He told the story of his relationship with his own father. But that's the way he did things. He always seemed to be able to make his point without him making the point being the point.

We're here first and foremost to be fathers. He did it as well as anyone ever has.

Regardless of Tim Russert's relationship /non-relationship with his own mother, was Luke allowed to know his grandmother Betty, as well as "Big Russ"? (The omissions of any mention of the woman who was his mother are glaring to the readers closely covering the story of Tim Russert's life and passing.) r.I.P., dear Mr. Russert; your work ethic will be sorely missed.

I was on the phone with my eldest, 40, yesterday. I said, "We all fear death. I am closer to it than you are."

He said, wisely, "WE DON'T KNOW THAT." God forbid that I should survive him, but he's right of course. We think we have this thing under control: we don't.