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Political leaders pay tribute to TV's Russert
By STEPHEN OHLEMACHER
The Associated Press
Wednesday, June 18, 2008; 2:28 PM
WASHINGTON -- The crowd at Tim Russert's funeral Wednesday would have made a great panel on his Sunday morning news show.
The two men vying to become president, Sens. Barack Obama and John McCain, were there, as were members of Congress, television journalists and several generations of politicians from both parties.
Obama and McCain sat next to each other, per a request by the Russert family.
"It is not easy to preach a homily for Tim and to communicate the feelings we all share concerning this remarkable man, for he was truly one of the great communicators in American society," Cardinal Theodore McCarrick, the archbishop emeritus of Washington, D.C., said in his homily.
Russert, the host of the Sunday-morning talk show "Meet the Press," died Friday of a heart attack at the age of 58. He also served as the Washington bureau chief for NBC News. A political insider, Russert was known for conducting tough interviews of Washington's most powerful politicians, yet he evoked an everyman quality that showed his blue-collar, Buffalo, N.Y., roots.
Among the dignitaries were former New York Gov. Mario Cuomo, New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg, Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nev., and House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif.
There were also enough TV journalists and political strategists to fill several political roundtables. Among the honorary pallbearers were NBC News anchor Brian Williams, "Today" show host Matt Lauer and Bryant Gumbel. Retired anchor Tom Brokaw greeted the guests, saying no house meant more to Russert than "the house of the Lord."
The funeral service at Holy Trinity Catholic Church in the Georgetown was private, but a loud speaker broadcast the service to about 100 onlookers standing along the tree-lined street. A man wearing a kilt played the bagpipes as the crowd arrived, and delivered a rendition of "Amazing Grace" as Russert's casket was taken from the church.
Russert's 22-year-old son, Luke, gave the eulogy. His mother and Russert's widow, Maureen Orth, looked on.
"My dad was my best friend," Luke Russert said, his voice strong and clear. "To explain my bond with my father is utterly impossible to put into words."
Luke Russert then gave what he described as his father's last speech.
He urged parents to hug their children, politicians to avoid "low tactics," and journalists to practice integrity and honesty.
Luke Russert said that whenever he did well on a school assignment, his father would yell, "Yahoo! You smoked 'em, buddy!"
He asked the crowd to imagine a special edition of "Meet the Press" this Sunday in heaven, perhaps with a debate between Alexander Hamilton and Aaron Burr, or John F. Kennedy and Barry Goldwater. He even suggested a talk on the need for a new political party involving Teddy Roosevelt, the former president who later ran unsuccessfully for president as a member of the Bull Moose party.
"Tim Russert led with his heart, his compassion and most of all his honor," his son said. "I love you, dad, and in his words, let us all go get 'em!"
An invitation-only memorial service was scheduled at the Kennedy Center later on Wednesday. By STEPHEN OHLEMACHER The Associated Press Wednesday, June 18, 2008; 2:28 PM ... more -
Tim Russert's final words
His last radio address from WTOP Friday morning 6-13-08
Tim rips bloggers and internet rumors - describes them as a virus devoid of fact-checking and editorial control. He calls the electorate to be conscious of and vigilant against such distractions.
His last radio address from WTOP Friday morning 6-13-08 ... more -
RFK predicted a black president by 2008 (40 years ago!)
Tim Russert reports that RFK predicted we would have a black President by 2008.
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Tim Russert dies at 58
Tim Russert, who became one of America's leading political journalists as the host of NBC's "Meet the Press," died Friday, according to the network. He was 58.
The network said he collapsed at work Friday. He was taken to Washington's Sibley Memorial Hospital where he died, the hospital confirmed.
Colleague and former NBC anchor Tom Brokaw broke the news on the network Friday shortly after 3:40 p.m., saying Russert had just returned from a family vacation in Italy to celebrate the graduation of his son, Luke, from Boston College.
Russert joined the network in 1984 and quickly established himself as the face of the network's political coverage, eventually becoming senior vice president and Washington bureau chief of NBC news.
In 1985, Russert supervised live broadcasts of the "Today" show from Rome, negotiating an appearance by Pope John Paul II -- a first for American television.
Russert, who also served as a political analyst for cable network MSNBC, took the helm of "Meet the Press" in 1991, turning the long-running Sunday-morning interview program into the most-watched show of its kind in the United States.
Tim Russert, who became one of America's leading political journalists as the host of NBC's "Meet the Press," died Friday, according t... more -
Tim Russert has died from a heart attack
"Tim Russert, NBC journalist and political heavyweight host of "Meet the Press," has died after collapsing at NBC's Washington news bureau, a source said. He was 58 years old.
Russert, who rose from the inside world of politics where he was former New York Gov. Mario Cuomo's press secretary and one-time chief of staff to the late Sen. Daniel Patrick Moynihan, was able to successfully cross over to political journalism and rise to become one of its leading lights.
In his role as host of the seminal Sunday morning political program "Meet the Press" - which he took over in 1991 - he became renowned for his hard-nosed interviews where he frequently cornered some of Washington's cagiest political figures with tough questions.
Russert joined NBC News in 1984. In April 1985, he supervised the live broadcasts of the Today program from Rome, negotiating and arranging an appearance by Pope John Paul II - a first for American television. In 1986 and 1987 Russert led NBC News weeklong broadcasts from South America, Australia and China.
In 2008, Time Magazine named him one of the world's 100 most influential people."
THIS STORY IS DEVELOPING... STAY TUNED. "Tim Russert, NBC journalist and political heavyweight host of "Meet the Press," has died after collapsing at NBC's Washington news bu... more -
Turn John McCain's YouTube problem into a nightmare!
The American freedom campaign asked me to spread this, so I did. Happy now? (watch out for a repeated 'psst, do something!' at the end.. I thought there was a scary person in my house and so I was very scared! The American freedom campaign asked me to spread this, so I did. Happy now? (watch out for a repeated 'psst, do something!' at the end... more
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Nader v. Obama
On Meet the Press on May 4, Senator Obama told Tim Russert that he was willing to debate with "any of my opponents about what this country means, what makes it great."
Well, Ralph is taking Barack up on his offer. Nader wants to discuss how the DNC and RNC have taken over the election process. His stance is based on open, public debates that strengthens democracy.
Currently, the Nader/Gonzalez campaign is busy trying to overcome the Democratic Party's ballot obstructionism in Senator Obama's home state of Illinois. Last time out (that would be 2004), the Democrats blocked Nader from the ballot in Illinois.
On Meet the Press on May 4, Senator Obama told Tim Russert that he was willing to debate with "any of my opponents about what this cou... more -
John McCain gets owned on Meet The Press
Its funny how much shit politicians talk. Heres a rare moment when a journalist actually calls John McCain out on his bullshit. Much props Tim! Its funny how much shit politicians talk. Heres a rare moment when a journalist actually calls John McCain out on his bullshit. Much p... more
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Obama’s win: A huge, decisive step toward his nomination
Barack Obama won a resounding 14-point victory over Clinton in North Carolina on Tuesday, while losing by less than 2-points in Indiana. "We now know who the Democratic nominee is going to be...it's Obama," NBC's Tim Russert declared on television late last night.
The article includes a number of wonderful photographs, videos of Barack Obama's North Carolina victory speech and of Tim Russert's television report, music audio and an amazing photo-gallery. Barack Obama won a resounding 14-point victory over Clinton in North Carolina on Tuesday, while losing by less than 2-points in Indian... more -
Tim Russert Blackballing Arriana at NBC???
It seems that Arianna Huffington has run up against the impenetrable wall that is Tim Russert's ego. Huffington, who is currently on tour for her new book Right Is Wrong: How The Lunatic Fringe Hijacked America, Shredded The Constitution, and Made Us All Less Safe, will be appearing on CNN, ABC, and CBS. She had been booked on Morning Joe and Countdown with Keith Olbermann as well, but those bookings were suddenly and inexplicably cancelled.
NBC confirmed that Huffington wouldn't be booked on any NBC-affiliated show to promote her book, but refused to explain why. Huffington's people say that this is Tim Russert's doing, that Russert is out for revenge because Huffington called him a "conventional wisdom zombie" in her book and devoted seven pages to faulting Russert for allowing his Meet the Press guests to go unchallenged (not to mention HuffPo's RussertWatch).
It seems that Arianna Huffington has run up against the impenetrable wall that is Tim Russert's ego. Huffington, who is currently on t... more -
Propaganda or just bad journalism by Tim Russert?
Tim Russert calls attention to the picture of Obama standing in front of three people who have their hands over their hearts. Russert claimed that this was during the Pledge of Allegiance and that this could be used against in November by the Republicans.
Apparently he is using it against him in April because he forgets to mention that this viral email was a lie. This picture is taken during the National Anthem which does not require the hand over the heart. The original photo is found here in Time Magazine where it is noted that the pic was taken during the National Anthem.
http://www.time.com/time/photogallery/0,29307,1662530_1...
But apparently Russert gets his "news" from viral emails. Tim Russert calls attention to the picture of Obama standing in front of three people who have their hands over their hearts. Russert ... more -
Political wizard offers glimpse into the election crystal ball
NBC's Washington Bureau Chief,Tim Russert breaks down the numbers for November’s electoral map.
He analyzes the most likely scenarios positing a Barak Obama/John McCain national election that skews the electoral map to the point we end up with a 269/269 national electoral tie; the election then would go to the Democrat-controlled House and the rest is history. NBC's Washington Bureau Chief,Tim Russert breaks down the numbers for November’s electoral map. ... more -
McCain says he would have invaded Iraq even knowing Iraq had no WMD's
TR: If you knew what you know now would you have invaded Iraq in 2003? John McCain: "Yes, I would still have gone in." This from an exchange on meet the press where McCain addresses his comments on the Iraq War and his comments on continuing U.S. presence in which he has stated repeatedly he doesn't care if we have a presence in Iraq for the next century as well as comments saying "I don't care if we stay there ten thousand years." TR: If you knew what you know now would you have invaded Iraq in 2003? John McCain: "Yes, I would still have gone in." This from an ... more
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Tim Russert in Iowa
Jacob Soboroff catches up with Tim Russert, moderator of NBC's Meet The Press, at the Polk County Convention Complex at the Iowa Events Center in Des Moines, Iowa.
Tomorrow Iowans will caucus in the first presidential contest in the nation - but in the past two elections only 6-7% of eligible voters have participated. Watch the video for Russert's take on why candidates aren't talking more about election reform.
For more:
http://www.whytuesday.org Jacob Soboroff catches up with Tim Russert, moderator of NBC's Meet The Press, at the Polk County Convention Complex at the Iowa Event... more -
Tim Russert to moderate president of red sox nation debate
This is far more important than those other presidential debates...
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Tim Russert
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Tim Russert
