"He was the closest thing there was at any of the networks to an objective journalist." --Rush Limbaugh

Tim Russert 1950-2008




Before we moved to Vancouver, I used to watch the Today Show every morning I could at 7:00. I considered the first half hour the best part of the show, because that is when the political interviews aired. Over time, I grew to appreciate the appearances of Tim Russert, a frequent guest on the show, and his commentary on politics. Soon, I was flipping to Meet the Press on Sunday mornings to watch him interview politicians.

I liked his style: never arrogant, never inept. He did his homework and would find snippets of video or quotes from the guest that were the most relevant to the on-going discussion. During the 2004 election, I remember his little whiteboard on the Today Show predicting the Bush-Kerry election would come down to "Ohio, Ohio, Ohio." Considering his white board contained the message, "Florida, Florida, Florida" before the landmark Bush-Gore election, I didn't doubt him and was not surprised at all to awaken the day after the election to the news that Ohio was in the balance.

Over the past decade, I have seen "journalists" use their positions on television for ad-hominem attacks, hyperbole and the setting up of strawmen. Leaving the States for nearly a year and then returning, this type of journalism struck me even harder. So unprofessional and an affront to citizens who truly wish to be educated on the issues. But Russert was not one of those angry-seething-attacking journalists. He was smart and kind and still put the pressure on politics to clarify their positions.

It's hard to believe he's gone. There is no one to replace him.