I am baffled and saddened by the death of Tim Russet today. I don't know where to turn to get my political news. I always felt like no matter what was going on, no matter what "side" he was speaking with, Tim Russert always did his very best to deliver the truth of any political story. More than almost any other journalist working these days, I never felt like he allowed his personal politics or beliefs to be imposed on his stories (take notes, Matt Lauer--ok, the entire Today Show cast). I could trust his interviews and reporting.
Even more than that, he never seemed to take himself too seriously. He seemed to enjoy his work, to be honestly inspired by political discussion. He never pushed his interviews to be mere sound bites or to be "good TV". And political figures respected him for that. They knew he would ask the tough questions without bias. He was a man after the truth. He respected his audience enough to ask the questions, to deliver the stories, but to allow us to make up our own minds about the issues. He was passionate, kind hearted, and intelligent.
I know one thing--there are now some very big shoes to fill in the political media world. Let's hope his legacy will have inspired others to fill them with the same grace, wit, and fervor. Tim, you will be missed.
Friday, June 13, 2008
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