Whoa: Tim Russert dies of heart attack; Update: Brokaw video added; Update: The closest to objectivity among the MSM, says Limbaugh
posted at 3:33 pm on June 13, 2008 by Allahpundit
Share on Facebook | regular view
Just across at the New York Post, although MSNBC conspicuously hasn’t reported it yet. Standby.
Update: CBS apparently is reporting it too, although I don’t see anything on the homepage. Nothing still on MSNBC.
Update: The Times has a bulletin saying his family’s confirmed it. How awful, and only a few weeks after that reminder from Terry McAuliffe that his dad’s still alive, hale, and hardy.
Update: MSNBC’s airing footage now.
Update: From TV Newser: “Around 1pmET this afternoon, Russert was conducting a political Q&A on MSNBC.com. We’re told Russert collapsed while in the tracking booth at the Washington bureau.”
Update: Here’s NBC’s obit.
Update: You can gauge the sort of esteem he was held in by the fact that this is top story not only on Drudge but on most rival news networks. Even Brent Bozell, not one to be overly romantic about the media, is effusive in his praise.
Update: Here’s Brokaw breaking the news.
Update: Even rarer than media praise from Brent Bozell: Rush pays his respects.
Update (Ed): We were on the air when this news broke and talked about it for twenty minutes or so. I knew AP would have a great round-up, and I just want to add a few thoughts. Russert made the tough transition from politico to journalist about as well as anyone ever has; Chris Matthews, for instance, can only wish that he had Russert’s credibility. Russert got criticized from time to time about his performance, but even that criticism recognized Russert’s normal professionalism and excellence. MTP will not be the same with his passing, and it’s going to be tough to see how NBC can replace him. I think he will only be succeeded on Sunday mornings. He left us far too young at 58(!).
Joe Gandelman has a good roundup at TMV, as does Michelle.
You must be logged in to post a comment.
Blowback
Note from Hot Air management: This section is for comments from Hot Air's community of registered readers. Please don't assume that Hot Air management agrees with or otherwise endorses any particular comment just because we let it stand. A reminder: Anyone who fails to comply with our terms of use may lose their posting privilege.
Trackbacks/Pings
Trackback URL
Comments
Comment pages: « Previous 1 2 3 4
Rest in Peace, Tim, and Godspeed and prayers to those you left behind.
rtsidedragon on June 13, 2008 at 10:56 PM
My prayers for Tim and comfort to his family. Such a shock.
Life is short and can end in a moment.
Make the most of it while you can.
Love and live.
Tim did.
Texas Gal on June 13, 2008 at 11:05 PM
I was very saddened to hear about his death today. You could hear it in Tom Brokaw’s words the sadness that everybody feels over his untimely death.
Tim Russert also seemed to have that same flare that Ronald Reagan did. You might disagree with him on substance but you couldn’t be mad at him because he was such a fine human being.
This political season won’t be the same without him around.
I was listening to a story on the radio about a letter that he had written to his son Luke, before he went away to college.
I’m truly saddened by his loss today, he will be sorely missed.
My prayers are with his family.
HarryStar on June 13, 2008 at 11:08 PM
Bless you Tim. Prayers for your family. I’m sad and my eyes are filled with tears.
mimi1220 on June 13, 2008 at 11:12 PM
Can we please finally get this SaintOlaf nut job banished forever from this blog? This is the DKos for the right!
oceansidecon on June 13, 2008 at 11:17 PM
May you be in heaven a half hour before the devil knows your dead
R.I.P.
jojostan on June 13, 2008 at 11:17 PM
Good evening London, good evening Canada.
Entelechy on June 13, 2008 at 11:32 PM
Ask not for whom the bell tolls, it tolls for you.
Rumpole on June 14, 2008 at 12:14 AM
Tomorrow is promised to no one so Live and Love like there is no tomorrow…
Guardian on June 14, 2008 at 12:14 AM
It’s people like you who will in the near future, imprison anyone who mentions the name JESUS CHRIST.
Do you have a problem with me saying that everyone who does not accept Jesus Christ as their Saviour will burn in Hell for eternity and stating that it is a fact?
Would you be in favor of imprisoning anyone who says anything as an absolute fact…or just the Christians that do?
If you disagree with me…debate me and see if your theology holds up.
I am not the one afraid to debate you. It is you who are the cowards because you know your theology is weak.
SaintOlaf on June 14, 2008 at 1:33 AM
Now that Russert is gone, RIP Tim, it’s time to let the next journalist of our generation take over MTP– Keith Olberman.
Nethicus on June 14, 2008 at 1:40 AM
One thing is for sure, if Christ is floating around someplace and came back to earth he sure wouldn’t want to be a member of SaintOlaf’s church.
MB4 on June 14, 2008 at 1:43 AM
Olaf, are you really an atheist trying to give Christians a bad name? If you are that is not playing fair.
MB4 on June 14, 2008 at 1:45 AM
Oh, I just got to a computer for the first time since this morning, and such sad news.
I’m really stunned.
Bob's Kid on June 14, 2008 at 1:48 AM
If you want to see something sick. Go to Hillary’s underground site:
hillaryis44.com
…where they refer to Russert as scum, even on the very day he passed away. She is a loathsome piece of work.
revolution on June 14, 2008 at 1:59 AM
Godspeed Tim.
coleporter on June 14, 2008 at 3:48 AM
With the untimely passing of Tim Russert, NBC News, and the MSM by and large, has lost it’s last tether to credibility, a truly terrible loss for the American people, a man who did his job as a journalist: ask the tough questions, get the straightest answer possible, and work as objectively as possible, regardless of political inclination.
For as much as we have lost in a man of integrity from the public discourse, they have lost far more in a son, a husband, and a father. My thoughts and prayers are with them.
Rest in peace, Russ.
“Such a long, long time to be gone, and a short time to be there.”
SuperCool on June 14, 2008 at 3:55 AM
Frankly, he was pretty biased and not that honest. (but he IS better than most of the others, especially on his corrupt network).
RIP
Lonetown on June 14, 2008 at 5:28 AM
When Jesus was on earth He spent His time in the company of sinners. Only God knows what is deep in the human heart. I’ll give most people the benefit of the doubt. After all, I am not God.
R.I.P. Tim, I will pray for you at Mass Sunday.
Ellen on June 14, 2008 at 5:29 AM
NBC’s Tim Russert died?
I
do
not
care.
Indy Conservative on June 14, 2008 at 6:51 AM
I was absolutely floored yesterday when I heard. My gawd, how often did I ever look forward to watching an MSM news show, but MTP was on my TV every Sunday.
Of course, and I don’t know if this was mentioned yet, but you should see what the 9/11 truthers are already saying about this. It’s disgusting. That somehow Russert passing, untimely, during an election, because he asked quesitons of Tenet…well, you get the picture.
JetBoy on June 14, 2008 at 8:22 AM
The lumbering leviathan talks now, but never walked then or now “objective[ly]”… Regularly referred to Tim’s Sunday Show as “Meet the Depressed”…!
J_Gocht on June 14, 2008 at 8:26 AM
Tim Russert was a professional, and the most authoritative and engaging moderator on Sunday mornings. American political discourse has suffered a devastating loss.
studentpat on June 14, 2008 at 9:10 AM
Not me. I call that someone who actually reads and understands the bible. It’s one thing that is central to Protestant and Catholic theology. We call Jesus the Savior. Well? Savior from what? Jesus spoke an awful lot about hell. Some of SaitOlaf’s critics need to blow the dust off of the New Testament and actually read what’s in there.
Some of you theological giants here at HotAir need to buy a vowel. Salvation is all inclusive as it’s offered freely to all mankind. It is exclusive because God only has a plan A. There is no plan B. God himself died in your place. How can anyone or anything possibly improve on that?
Mojave Mark on June 14, 2008 at 9:56 AM
Of course you do. You care enough to post that you are so self-absorb that you “don’t care”. Amazing piece of work. Just in case you don’t have weekend plans, try this: go to a couple funerals of people you don’t know and proclaim ‘I don’t care’ there. When you see the reception you get, you’ll perhaps get an insightful reflection of yourself.
Spirit of 1776 on June 14, 2008 at 10:22 AM
I’ve been out of pocket since yesterday. So, what happened? Did the Pope die?
BowHuntingTexas on June 14, 2008 at 10:28 AM
Congratulations for knocking SaintOlaf off the top of the most annoying poster pedestal.
EJDolbow on June 14, 2008 at 11:06 AM
As a Buffalo Bills fan, I will miss his “Go Bills” when he finished his shows during Football Sundays.
RIP Tim…
Fires1 on June 14, 2008 at 12:04 PM
This is extremely sad. Not only was he the most classy journalist, he was transparently human; you could still feel his modest beginnings. He was humble.
Just tearfully sad.
ParisParamus on June 14, 2008 at 12:14 PM
MSNBC’s tribute is most impressive.
Did I believe Russert tilted left and that it showed in his work? Yes. That said, I thought he worked extremely hard to keep his leaning in check. If all MSM journalists followed his lead, the MSM would nt have a credibility problem, though they would enjoy far fewer left leaning viewers. Frankly, a journalist without an opinion at all might be worse than ones who wear their politics on their sleaves.
Tim Russert was always prepared. He always showed up engaged. He never let me down.
Rest in peace, Tim.
EconomicNeocon on June 14, 2008 at 1:39 PM
RIP
It’s pretty pathetic watching Tweety and Olber****’s kos surrogates feasting on his corpse like the liberal ghouls that they are though.
Darth Executor on June 14, 2008 at 2:18 PM
You can’t make this stuff up:
While politicians in both parties praised Russert as a fair-minded inquisitor, some liberal critics complained that he reserved his toughest questions for Democrats.
corona on June 14, 2008 at 3:26 PM
Take a deep breath and tell yourself to just let go, God is in charge. Allow him to pray over you and fill you with the Holy Spirit…
…and exorcise that demon inside of you that has taken over your heart and mind; ask in Jesus’ name.
You are lost. Remember God can do anything if you just ask and you need to hook up with the Holy Spirit immediately.
AprilOrit on June 14, 2008 at 3:53 PM
Not everyone was so nice:
http://americanpowerblog.blogspot.com/2008/06/tim-russert-1950-2008.html
Donald Douglas on June 14, 2008 at 5:37 PM
Donald Douglas, I waded into that leftie territory, and here are a few morsels (see link in 3rd quote)
Entelechy on June 14, 2008 at 6:34 PM
It would be going too far to say that Russert was always unbiased and fair. Like everyone else, he had his opinions and they inevitably influenced his work.
But he didn’t let them push him to take sides. One thing I will always remember about Tim Russert is that Al Gore absolutely refused to come on his show again because he asked hard questions.
And of course, Hillary was furious after a few questions from Russert. Russert asked hard questions of both sides, as you would expect a journalist to do. He didn’t let his sympathies for liberal Democrats push him into lobbing softballs their way.
Neutral he wasn’t. But he was always professional and nonpartisan.
And I concur with so many commenters here. Russert didn’t have to defend or clarify his patriotism. It was just obvious.
theregoestheneighborhood on June 14, 2008 at 7:02 PM
Tim Russert was a QUALITY NEWS GUY. As an interviewer, if you went on the show, you’d better had known what the hell you were talking about…An American icon that will be missed…
DfDeportation on June 15, 2008 at 12:02 AM
I’m convinced now. You cannot possibly be over 17 years old. Turn off the computer and always check with daddy or mommy before playing on the internet.
labrat on June 15, 2008 at 12:43 AM
Ask not for whom that bell tolls labrat, as it tolls for thee …
Holmes on June 15, 2008 at 3:35 AM
Try again jack.
labrat on June 15, 2008 at 5:41 AM
Of course it’s sad when anyone dies, perhaps especially if it’s sudden and early, but I really don’t see why Mr. Russert’s death is any more significant than any of the many others that occured on the same day.
It’s a private matter for his family – who miss him terribly, I’m sure. He seemed like a nice guy, and I’ll bet he was loved dearly.
The world keeps turning without batting an eyelid, however…..
LimeyGeek on June 15, 2008 at 9:16 AM
RIP, Russert and RIP, NBCNews
SouthernGent on June 15, 2008 at 7:50 PM
“It’s going to take four or five people to replace Tim,” said Bob Schieffer
It sounds to me that MSNBC worked Tim Russert to death.
Maxx on June 16, 2008 at 9:49 AM
1 Peter 3:15
But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect,
Your choice to have this debate here, now, and with this tone does not suggest a gentle or respectful spirit. Yet again, you fall short of the mark. You might try carrying that cross instead of attempting to beat people over the head with it.
TheUnrepentantGeek on June 16, 2008 at 1:09 PM
Want a reason to dump GE stock? Or at least Zucker? Russert was making 5 mil a year and Olby makes 4 mil. Are you friggin kidding me?
JeffinOrlando on June 16, 2008 at 2:54 PM
I think Tim worked Tim to death. He had passion and gave the job everything he had.
I just don’t understand how they can justify that salary for Olbermann with his ratings.
carbon_footprint on June 16, 2008 at 11:12 PM
I feel bad he is deceased, but I wasn’t too happy they dropped Jim McKay so fast.
johnnyU on June 17, 2008 at 9:34 PM
oh and these things come in three’s, so go figure who the next one might be…. Paul Newman? Jerry Lewis?
johnnyU on June 17, 2008 at 9:35 PM
Comment pages: « Previous 1 2 3 4