[maxiep]

Tim Russert passed away from a heart attack today. He was, by far, IMO the best and fairest voice in mainstream television political media.

Today, we've lost a great and truly neutral voice from the center. He will be missed.

[nikolokolus]

Dammit ... I really liked him; he seemed like one of the last true journalist commentators (versus the screaming a-holes from both the left and the right)

[maxiep]

Originally Posted by nikolokolus

Dammit ... I really liked him; he seemed like one of the last true journalist commentators (versus the screaming a-holes from both the left and the right)

There was never any question about his political sensibilities (working class, Catholic Democrat), but he never let that personal bias get in the way of his job. Democrats feared him as much as Republicans. Sundays won't be the same.

[mook]

This really sucks. All the overheated blowhards out there with shows and Tim Russert has to be the one to go. I never missed his show--he put the screws to people better than anyone.

Maybe in the grieving process that's bound to follow some greater purpose can be served. His death highlights how precious few of his kind there are out there, and how much demand there is for it. Maybe the TV executives will catch a clue and look to promote more like him.

[zagsfan20]

I was really saddened to hear this. One of the only political commentators that I had respect for. Seemed like just a genuine guy. Just the other night I was falling asleep while watching one of the early morning shows, I was at that state where my mind was finally winding down, I heard Russert was going to be on and I woke up and made certain that I listened in on what he had to say. Tim Russert was the only political commentator that I would ever do that for. He'll be missed.

[BLAZER PROPHET]

In this day of unabashed biased media coverage it was so refreshing to have him. He was very close to being unbiased and also a gentleman.

He will be sorely missed.

[Dan]

Man, this is just horrible news.

[ThatBlazerGuy]

The last of his breed. Journalism is nearly a lost cause at this point.

He was a god damed thoroughbred. The rest of the pack are just rented mules.

[maxiep]

I know this is a selfish thought, but who is going to ask these two candidates the hard, but fair questions? One of my senses of loss is that I believe it's now going to be much more difficult to sort rhetoric from reality in this presidential election. Tim Russert was the guy I looked to cut through the crap, and now he's gone.

[Masbee]

Originally Posted by mook

This really sucks. All the overheated blowhards out there with shows and Tim Russert has to be the one to go. I never missed his show--he put the screws to people better than anyone.

Maybe in the grieving process that's bound to follow some greater purpose can be served. His death highlights how precious few of his kind there are out there, and how much demand there is for it. Maybe the TV executives will catch a clue and look to promote more like him.

I am sorry to say, that I very much doubt the TV execs will catch any sort of clue in their chronic disregard of journalism in favor of "entertainment", as if extreme views and rude behavior is supposed to be entertaining.

[HB]

Very very sad news and a tremendous blow to journalism and the political realm as maxiep put it. There are very few journalists that know how to interview as well as Russert does. And he really does try to leave out the bias that some of his NBC and MSNBC colleagues show on air