Oregon Media Insiders

Truly one of the greats. Russert really WAS "fair and balanced". My heart breaks for his family...a young son he adored, a wife he truly cherished, and a wonderful father who is probably thinking, "you're not supposed to out-live your kids".

A sad day. Prayers.

I first became familiar with Tim Russert when he was a frequent guest on the "Imus in the Morning Show" radio program in the late 1990’s. He always proved entertaining and provided insights into politics which I found easy to process. He didn't try to overly intellectualize issues, which is unusual for a personality out of Washington DC. Plus he talked most reverently about his father and his love for his son – now I find very touching.

It’s very tragic – but I pray his wife, son and father take solace in knowing how widely respected he was as a father, friend and journalist in a time and place where civility can be sorely lacking.

I know what it's like to die that way and the only thing I can say is, it's relatively quick. It hurts like a mo fo otherwise; you know you're dying.

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Lynn Siprelle * Fairy Blogmother

Tim Russert's loss to journalism is almost immeasurable.

He was (one of) the last of the great breed of real journalists, rather than newsbroadcast-entertainers and rude, shouting, biased buffoons.

He was always incredibly prepared, always incredibly respectful of his guests and his viewing audience. He was a spin-killer and a truth seeker; and he kept his personal biases out of the interviews (unless they involved the Buffalo Bills, the Yankees, or the Pope!)

He WAS my Sunday mornings -- and for 20 years he provided the most objective, thorough, and honest coverage of politics on TV.

Although personally non-religious, I am glad that his family can take great personal solice in his family's private audience with the Pope only days prior to his death. A papal blessing is huge in the RC faith, and should provide considerable comfort during the upcoming days of grief for his family.

(1.) Everyone seems to remember his sitting next to Tom Brokaw on Election Night, 2000, scrawling the words "Florida, Florida, Florida" on his blackboard. What I haven't seen mentioned is that he had said the same thing that morning on the TODAY show. He'd done some electorical college math on the blackboard, then circled the word Florida and said, "We're really going to be watching Florida tonight. The election could be decided there."

(2.) In the midst of the Iowa floods and more bad news on mortgages, NBC News devoted its entire 30 minute broadcast Friday night to Tim's death. Somehow, I'd like to think he would not have approved.

For Jack, age 3, Sunday Mornings will still be Thomas the Train on OPB, but for my wife and I it just won't be the same tradition without Mr. Russert on Meet the Press afterwards. Very, very sad.

Lynn: you said "I know what it's like to die that way and the only thing I can say is, it's relatively quick. It hurts like a mo fo otherwise; you know you're dying."

Respecfully, I think that's an odd thing to say; can you explain what you meant? Have you had a near death experience? It doesn't sound (read) like you, (specifically "mo fo")and seems to be incohearant. What's that all about?

No, I'm not sorry I asked, cause I really wanted to know. Just know my question was meant to be a respecful inqiry and meant no offence. And I'm sure glad you survived to tell the tale.