Mourning Russert Is Bipartisan
The sudden death of NBC political commentator and Meet The Press host Tim Russert was met with mourning and sympathy across the political spectrum in Washington and beyond.
Russert, 58, died today of an apparent heart attack while in his Washington office, according to reports.
A former Democratic political operative, Russert won admiration and fear alike from Democrats and Republicans alike for his aggressive questioning of politicians on Meet The Press.
That respect was reflected in the outpouring from a range of political figures upon news of his death -- including two who have served as speaker of the House of Representatives.
Current Democratic Speaker Nancy Pelosi compared Russert to past broadcast legends Edward R. Murrow, Walter Cronkite, and David Brinkley.
"Tim Russert embodied the very best in broadcast journalism and has been a fixture in millions of living rooms every Sunday morning on 'Meet the Press,' an institution that he shaped into one of the most influential news and opinion programs of our time," Pelosi says. "A stellar journalist, Tim also touched our hearts with his loving portrait of his father in the best-selling book, 'Big Russ and Me.'"
"To everyone at NBC News, who today lost not only a colleague, but a true friend, I offer my deepest condolences," Pelosi adds. "Most of all, my thoughts are with Tim's wife, Maureen, and his son, Luke. I hope it is some comfort that so many throughout the world have the Russert family in their thoughts and prayers at this difficult time."
Former Republican Speaker Newt Gingrich also lavished his praise on Russert and his work.
"Tim was genuinely charming but as anyone who came to the set of Meet the Press unprepared can tell you, he was direct, tough and gave no quarter," Gingrich says. "His experience working with Gov. Mario Cuomo and Senator Daniel Patrick Moynihan gave him an insight few in the journalism world can match.
"It is particularly poignant to lose such a dedicated father and a son who so honored his father in his book 'Big Russ and Me' just before Father's Day," Gingrich adds.
From the Senate, Judiciary Committee Chairman Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.) also offered his condolences.
"He was a national treasure, and the news of his passing came with shocking suddenness and deep sadness," Leahy says. "He never lost his enthusiasm, and he lived every realm of his life with gusto. Tim threw all of himself into his family, his faith, his newsroom, the world of politics, and even his teams. His zest was infectious, and no one could help but like and admire him.
Pennsylvania's Democratic governor, Ed Rendell, also weighed in, particularly describing what it was like to be interviewed by Russert.
"As a newsmaker, I knew I had to be prepared when I was interviewed by him, because I knew he was very prepared. As moderator of 'Meet the Press,' he extracted information the general public needed to be better informed," Rendell says. "Midge and I are shocked and saddened to hear of his untimely death and we express our condolences to Tim's family and close friends."
The Democratic and Republican national committees also each released a statement in sympathy of Russert's passing.
"Today we lost one of the true giants of American journalism and a tremendous public servant. Tim Russert will be remembered for many things," says Democratic Chairman Howard Dean. "A committed family man, devout Catholic, devout sports fan, author, mentor. A tough interviewer, Tim delivered the news with authority, in a plain-spoken way that made the great issues of our day accessible to everyone. His love of politics and our country came through in his relentless pursuit of the truth and in the quality of his work as a journalist. On this sad day, our thoughts and prayers are with his family and loved ones."
Republican Chairman Robert "Mike" Duncan says, "On behalf of the members and staff of the Republican Party, I extend our thoughts and prayers to the family and colleagues of Tim Russert. His sudden death is a loss that will be felt throughout the journalism and political worlds. His reputation for fairness, accuracy and hard work earned him bipartisan respect. He will be missed."
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Russert, 58, died today of an apparent heart attack while in his Washington office, according to reports.
A former Democratic political operative, Russert won admiration and fear alike from Democrats and Republicans alike for his aggressive questioning of politicians on Meet The Press.
That respect was reflected in the outpouring from a range of political figures upon news of his death -- including two who have served as speaker of the House of Representatives.
Current Democratic Speaker Nancy Pelosi compared Russert to past broadcast legends Edward R. Murrow, Walter Cronkite, and David Brinkley.
"Tim Russert embodied the very best in broadcast journalism and has been a fixture in millions of living rooms every Sunday morning on 'Meet the Press,' an institution that he shaped into one of the most influential news and opinion programs of our time," Pelosi says. "A stellar journalist, Tim also touched our hearts with his loving portrait of his father in the best-selling book, 'Big Russ and Me.'"
"To everyone at NBC News, who today lost not only a colleague, but a true friend, I offer my deepest condolences," Pelosi adds. "Most of all, my thoughts are with Tim's wife, Maureen, and his son, Luke. I hope it is some comfort that so many throughout the world have the Russert family in their thoughts and prayers at this difficult time."
Former Republican Speaker Newt Gingrich also lavished his praise on Russert and his work.
"Tim was genuinely charming but as anyone who came to the set of Meet the Press unprepared can tell you, he was direct, tough and gave no quarter," Gingrich says. "His experience working with Gov. Mario Cuomo and Senator Daniel Patrick Moynihan gave him an insight few in the journalism world can match.
"It is particularly poignant to lose such a dedicated father and a son who so honored his father in his book 'Big Russ and Me' just before Father's Day," Gingrich adds.
From the Senate, Judiciary Committee Chairman Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.) also offered his condolences.
"He was a national treasure, and the news of his passing came with shocking suddenness and deep sadness," Leahy says. "He never lost his enthusiasm, and he lived every realm of his life with gusto. Tim threw all of himself into his family, his faith, his newsroom, the world of politics, and even his teams. His zest was infectious, and no one could help but like and admire him.
Pennsylvania's Democratic governor, Ed Rendell, also weighed in, particularly describing what it was like to be interviewed by Russert.
"As a newsmaker, I knew I had to be prepared when I was interviewed by him, because I knew he was very prepared. As moderator of 'Meet the Press,' he extracted information the general public needed to be better informed," Rendell says. "Midge and I are shocked and saddened to hear of his untimely death and we express our condolences to Tim's family and close friends."
The Democratic and Republican national committees also each released a statement in sympathy of Russert's passing.
"Today we lost one of the true giants of American journalism and a tremendous public servant. Tim Russert will be remembered for many things," says Democratic Chairman Howard Dean. "A committed family man, devout Catholic, devout sports fan, author, mentor. A tough interviewer, Tim delivered the news with authority, in a plain-spoken way that made the great issues of our day accessible to everyone. His love of politics and our country came through in his relentless pursuit of the truth and in the quality of his work as a journalist. On this sad day, our thoughts and prayers are with his family and loved ones."
Republican Chairman Robert "Mike" Duncan says, "On behalf of the members and staff of the Republican Party, I extend our thoughts and prayers to the family and colleagues of Tim Russert. His sudden death is a loss that will be felt throughout the journalism and political worlds. His reputation for fairness, accuracy and hard work earned him bipartisan respect. He will be missed."
Watch more breaking news now on our video feed:
Bookmark http://onthehillblog.blogspot.com/ and drop back in for more news from the nation's capital.
Labels: Democrats, election, heart attack, obituary, politics, Republicans, Tim Russert
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