(Danville, California)
I am saddened today about the death of Tim Russert, arguably the greatest political reporter of our generation. The NBC "Meet the Press" host and best-selling author was only 58 years old.
I had occasion to meet Tim on stories from time to time in Washington, DC, as well as on social occasions, such as the annual Radio-TV Correspondents' dinner. I also enjoyed his books about his dad, because they reminded me of my relationship with my own father. My dad owned both Russert books, and I saved them and found comfort in reading parts of them after my dad passed away.
I don't have any idols in the TV business, because I think that's kind of a silly notion in any profession. However, there are people I deeply respect and admire, and one of them was Tim Russert. In this awful era of screaming, partisan journalists and hosts, Russert was as calm and fair and as well researched as they come. He did his homework. His guests were the stars of the show; he was not. Anyone running for president got a good grilling on "Meet the Press," which came to be known affectionately as the "Russert Primary" because it was often tougher than trampling through Iowa and New Hampshire in the dead of winter.

Anyway, I did not know him well, other than pleasantries exchanged while covering politics over the years. What I knew him best for was his quality and integrity on "Meet the Press," a show made richer by the man who hosted it for so many years.
The worlds of politics and journalism will deeply miss him.
The worlds of politics and journalism will deeply miss him.
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