NBC's Tim Russert dies at 58

[John]

I suggest Minni and VM take a walk around the block, count to ten, and chill a little. I don't want to prune this thread or lock it.

Russert did a good job at his job, which, as X points out, was a Sunday morning talk show. The show bored me to death and I almost never watched it or any of the others like it, but he was probably the best of the "Sunday morning bunch".

John

[Minniman]

There was a widespread consensus among politicians from both parties that Tim Russert was the most aggressive questioner of all the TV talk show hosts (but he did it in a civil manner).

I didn't know there was a poll taken among politicans. I'd like to see those empirical results.

I have watched Tim Russert time and time again ask a good question and then allow the guest to ignore the question or give a non answer. If he doesn't get the answer, how aggressive could he of been?

No one liked to go on his show but they all knew they had to if they wanted to be taken seriously. I don't see how anyone can make the case that he was a pushover as a journalist, or aided and abetted anyone. To the contrary, he was probably the one journalist who consistently made everyone he interviewed sweat a little by the pressure he put them through.

Russert wasn't as bad as some of the others, and he wasn't just a shill for talking points like many of the 24 hour news channel people are, but he didn't push hard enough to get the answers, and his debate questions were right out of the National Enquirer. He had a chance to ask about the huge federal deficits and debt, or the economy, and instead he plays the race card with Obama. He also asked a leading question about Iraq to Clinton, and he should have known better. The question itself made assumptions that are well known to be false. I will not discuss the question here further, as it could be taken as a political comment. It is simple enough to look up.

Obviously, I have diffferent standards for journalism that some of you do, which is fair enough. In my opinion, Russert did a good job in a position that needed to have better than good. As I have stated above, his death was untimely and a tragedy for his family and friends, but canonizing him for his journalism is beyond what he deserves on his merits alone regardless if he was a well liked guy.

He certainly will be missed. Russert had a good sense of humor, and he was an avid sports fan, and that part of him came out in his reporting. I wish his family well in these trying times, as I know what they are going through.

[DeeEss57]

I see they've gotten Tom Brokaw to replace Russert. I think that's a good choice. Brokaw is well-liked by the public and well-respected by his peers.



Dawn

[DanAS1]

I see they've gotten Tom Brokaw to replace Russert. I think that's a good choice. Brokaw is well-liked by the public and well-respected by his peers.

Dawn

I never got Brokaw. He always seemed robotic to me, the kind of guy who would cause me to head for the remote control. Maybe it's just me, and I realize that an anchorman isn't supposed to be an entertainer, but I was hoping someone younger with more warmth and personality would get the job.

In any event, as has been said many times before, Russert's shoes will be hard to fill, and I suspect that NBC didn't want to wreck the reputation of some super-talented young man or woman by putting the person in a position where we would all talk about how great Russert was compared to his successor. Following Russert isn't quite like following John Wooden, but it's the same principle -- Wooden's immediate successor didn't stand a chance.

[DeeEss57]

I never got Brokaw. He always seemed robotic to me, the kind of guy who would cause me to head for the remote control. Maybe it's just me, and I realize that an anchorman isn't supposed to be an entertainer, but I was hoping someone younger with more warmth and personality would get the job.

It is only a temporary situation, to give NBC time to find the permanent replacement. Brokaw will only be there through the election.

Personally, I don't get all this hoohaw about Russert. Yes, I get that he was well-loved by the people at NBC. But it's not like he was Walter Cronkite or anything.



Dawn

[VikingMachine]

It is only a temporary situation, to give NBC time to find the permanent replacement. Brokaw will only be there through the election.

Personally, I don't get all this hoohaw about Russert. Yes, I get that he was well-loved by the people at NBC. But it's not like he was Walter Cronkite or anything.



Dawn

Apparently ALOT of people really liked him, when that happens you get alot of hoohaw.

[VikingMachine]

No offense to you Dawn but I dont get what some of the people here have with the celebration of his life and tributes to him, what difference does it make.