Condolences to his friends and family. Fifty-eight is way too young.

Peace to his loved ones.

Wow! I guess I couldn’t be more shocked than I am at this moment. RIP, Tim.

Condolences to Mr. Russert’s father, family, and friends.

this is a great loss to us all.
condolences to mr. russert’s family, friends and colleagues.

RIP.

I about fell out of my chair, the first place I saw it, I thought it was a hoax.
RIP Timmeh.
My thoughts go to his family in their time of grief.

Condolences to the Russert family.

Condolensces to Mr. Russert’s family, friends and colleagues. Fifty-eight is far too young….

He’s also survived by his wife, Vanity Fair journalist Maureen Orth, and son Luke who is 21 or 22. Awful age to lose a father.

It’s a shock, that’s for sure. 58!

It will be different. No question about that.

May he RIP.

I wonder how the WH is really reacting. After all, he was their go to guy.

Wow. Just wow. I am stunned by this.

I can’t actually picture a presidential election cycle without him. He’s such a fixture in politics. This is a huge loss of experience and expertise for his network.

My heartfelt condolences to his family, to his friends, and to his colleagues.

RIP

Sally Quinn is going to do a Q & A on Russert at the Post at 4:30 eastern.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/.....id=topnews

EPU’d…his last interview transcript…about being vigilant about smears on the candidates…citing the Obama smears:

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/25137286/

I’m fifty-six and can agree that fifty-eight is far too young.

Even though I disagreed heartily with his style of journalism and “gotcha” reporting, it still forces us all to take stock of where we are.

I just hope folks remember that this does come to all of us sooner or later.

When Steve died, I felt pretty strongly about negative comments about his death out where his family were likely to read them. I think maybe we should treat Russert the same way.

Man, Mrs. Greenspan is really going overboard. She just expressed her deep amazement at how Russert was always talking to people, just regular people, and learning things from them.

Who was Steve?

Meanwhile, Brian and Co. are in Afghanistan to do their show from there and the main prison in Kandahar was attacked setting 1150 prisoners free including 400 Taliban. Brian and his staff might want to pay a little attention to that.

Gilliard

RIP. too young.

passing thought: they probably didn’t have the pre-written obit waiting in the wings like they do for older notables or tragedy-prone celebrities.

ditto. 57 here.

Oh, sorry…of course, Steve Gilliard…I’m slow today.

Steve Gilliard I think. wiki

Gilliard

I’m sure they have a complete bio at the ready that they use for promo purposes.

Let’s keep it respectful.

Interesting…Brian Williams citing himself, Mrs. Greenspan, and David Gregory…as sort of those left holding things together..and Brokaw.

So, perhaps one of them will step into his job.

Wooohh, this is a shock. I’ve personally been dodging floods and tornados in the Midwest, but a heart attack at 58? Condolences to his friends and family.

Wow…yes, I’d say so.

Brokaw said that Russert’s wife and son were still in Italy…that has to be really awful to be so far away when something like this happens..

That would be Maureen Orth of Vanity Fair.

Per Mrs. Greenspan…Russert was very close to Kennedy family for years..and was very disturbed by Ted’s recent health problems.

The worst. This is going to be the longest day of their lives.

Really sorry for them.

RIP, Tim. Condolences to his family and friends.

58. Way too young. And to think at one time we all thought we were invincible.

Absolutely.

Andrea just broke down while describing that only Russert and her father called her Mitch…

Being in the same room isn’t any easier, with a heart attack.

Requiescat in pace, Tim.

Seconded.

Condolences to Mr. Russert’s family.

Condolences to his family and friends.

I too lost my father when he was 50 and I was 22. It’s like an earthquake in your life, you are never the same again. And in some ways you lose the surviving parent as well, due to grief. A strong feeling of abandonment ensues. It’s horrible.

My sincerest sympathies.

What a terrible bit of news. Very sad. Condolences to the Russert family.

Keith now coming on to do coverage.

David Gregory reporting Obama’s statement on Russert’s passing and said the network would provide a videotape shortly.

Condolences to Russert’s family. Quite the shocker…58, very young.

How dreadful for his family.

For the reasons of human kindness and compassion…thanks for the reminder.

Wow. Just passing by - that headline stopped me short. 58 myself - definitely shocking. Then again, watching him on the last election coverage, I thought his face looked frighteningly red, and kept wondering about his blood pressure, didn’t you?
A pity for his family. And just before Father’s Day.

One thing is for sure…the people that worked with him adored him. The shock is wearing off and the emotions are getting raw…so sad.

Can’t be easy on his father, who was just moved into a nursing home….

digg

And it seems like he has had a heavy schedule. Not only the Sunday program, but he has become almost a daily spokesman on the Today show to do the political beat. Not many are on for such frequent spots.

Deepest condolences to Tim’s wife and son and father and extended family and to his colleagues and friends in his media family, too.

Life’s curveballs can, as we learn today, have the deadliest of consequences.

As Jane noted, he had the capacity to arouse strong passions and words in the blogosphere. He also had the capacity to inspire great loyalty and love among his colleagues and friends. The legacy of a leader, a mentor, and a friend. Whatever our thoughts may be, that legacy has worth and meaning.

I hope that his family and friends will find some consolation that his last moments were doing the work that he so obviously cared about deeply.

Rest in peace, Tim.

Condolences to the Russert family in their loss.

Plus he was the Washington bureau chief for the network. He had a pretty heavy workload

BooRadley -dug done and thanks for leading by doing Boo

Condolences to his family and co-workers. I guess it can be said that he died with his boots on…having watched my mother suffer through the ravages of a stroke for a year and a half before her death, I can say that it’s a blessing that his death was not a long lingering suffering.

Aw - shit.

Much as I railed against the bias of MTP and of Russert himself, this isn’t good news.

I will truly miss him on election nights.

And hopefully he’ll still somehow get the chance to kick Jack Welch right in the n*ts.

RIP - Russert

It starts to get scary when people your own age start dying of natural causes. Friday the 13th, what a terrible day for anyone to die on.

So very sad for his family and friends..Rest in peace Mr Russert..

I always liked the little chalk board, before everything became computerized.

Baruch Dayan haEmet

Interesting..KO telling that in one of the last emails from Tim it ended with “go get ‘em”. I’m sure he has been supportive of KO’s special comments and such.

Many have mentioned that Mr. Russert did not look healthy - too heavy and flushed. I am 74 and every day is a blessing and I would ask that all of you take care of yourselves. That extra weight can be a killer.

Sounds like Chuck Todd was his protege…

Chuck Todd looking pretty puffy-eyed and shaken…

I look at the life and death thing differently. I understand that Mr. Russert has the ‘end of life’ opportunity to contrast what he thought he was accomplishing with what it actually accomplished, without judgment and only appreciation. Hence, the comment ‘uncomfortable laugh’. He served the role he chose in life brilliantly, witness the frequent comments in this column. He left at the perfect time, though it may seem a bit early for close friends and family.
My heart goes out to them that they might appreciate the perfection in all of it in the course of time. It does all happen perfectly. Some of us figure that out before dying.
This is something Mr. Russert is keenly aware of now. His recent role finished, I’m quite sure he’s gearing up for the next one, soon. Namaste.

no comment.

It is interesting that Tim Russert was encouraging to Keith O. These were complex people, not as one dimensional as we sometimes feared or charged. I tried to resist the impulse to categorize too much. I think many of the people who irritate us are better than the system they are trapped in.

Condolences to his family. That is a very difficult age for the family, especially children, to cope with, and must be very rough on his dad, ’Big Russ’, and his mother if she is still here.

I was not a big fan of Russert but I never wished him harm. I’m sure this is a very hard time for his family and friends and having recently lost my own father I understand what they’re going through.

Sally seems to be having technical difficulties. The start is delayed.

while never a big fan of tim - i still feel sorry for the loss and send a prayer for his family…. truly a real shock hearing of his death!!

When death strikes so suddenly, especially to someone so young, it definitely is a shock for family and friends. Our family just experienced it. My daughter in law’s mother died recently under the same circumstances, a sudden heart attack.

My heart goes out to Tim Russert’s family, friends, and collegues at NBC.

Of course we do not know any of that. Though we certainly can hope. At one point talking about his son who had died, Johnny Carson said that life has a way of doing what it is supposed to do. I thought that was remarkable wisdom.

I will miss him and think what his colleagues say is true; that he did love politics and the country. I was 21 and two weeks from college graduation when my Dad died of a heart attack at 54. I sympathize greatly with his family.

I’m very glad he got to write that book about his father.
His death a shock for us, I can’t imagine the shock his family is feeling.

I am very sorry for Tim Russert — only 58! and for his family.

And Jane, your post demonstrates, once again, what a classy lady you are.

I’m stunned.

Many condolences to the Russert family and friends.

Aw - sweet jayt.

My late reporter Dad received a warm, thoughtful letter from Russert after reading Dad’s memoirs of his early career as a newsman. Can’t recall all the details but they became pen pals and exchanged Xmas cards until Daddy’s death at age 90. We were touched to receive a thoughtful handwritten condolence note from Russert, way back when.

Rest in peace, Mr. Russert.

I guess you didn’t want to listen to Ms. Jane. I wonder if you think your remarks are really funny.

Sorry to hear he’s dead.. but I will miss him like a big pimple my back.. the kind ya can’t reach and pop away on your own.

Russert was no journalist, no patriot. He placed GE, ADM and Darth Cheny far ahead of truth or country.

He may have been polite, fun to have a beer with… but his errors of omission (and intent) killed a lot of people, American and foreign.

ANyway.. I hope his family finds some peace in their time of loss… I know I have. Sorry it (the end of Russert on television) couldn’t happen another way.

I wonder what news clogged his heart.

Guess it doesn’t take a journalist to be tacky. You’ve got it to yourself.

When my alma mater gave Russert an honorary doctorate, I stopped attending the graduations. Next year they gave one to Chris Matthews.

The tack we need to take to get our Democracy and semi balanced media back.. will not always be pretty.. The only thing Tim ever did for the American public was lie and read steno notes for million of dollars a year. I don’t enjoy saying these things.. but it is an honest painful reflection on what he meant to me.

I am sure he had friends and family who had a different experience. Bless their hearts.

I believe Ms. Quinn is a close friend of Russert’s wife.

not quite off topic - this video just arrived in my mail box from a friend who suggests Russert would likely appreciate it. ;~)

http://www.tothepointnews.com/content/view/3114/85

Terrible news.
In spite of the subjective quality we ascribe to his work (and I have been as guilty as anyone of brutalizing Russert here and elsewhere), this is a human being, survived by a father - imagine that - and a wife and a son.
And he is not yet cold.
Rest in peace Tim.

I don’t think this is about false tears. It’s about recognizing the humanity of others.

Which, it seems like from what you said, you think less of others for not doing.

Perhaps the pretense of “meeting the press” will finally end. RIP. Charlie Spivac will be back!

Hear! Hear!

This isn’t about hyprocracy. We all have it. Its about showing some kindness to your fellow human beings, regardless of whether you agree with their politics. Its called having some class.

I don’t think this is about false tears. It’s about recognizing the humanity of others.

Which, it seems like from what you said, you think less of others for not doing.

I recognize his humanity. I also recognize that he was bastard. I saw both of these things in him yesterday. I see both of these things in him today. I do not let the one blind to the reality of the other. Death appears to be a great rehabilitator of deficiencies in character.

the other night before the james taylor concert, my mom said something to my sister and me about deceased former bro-in-law, it was baaaad, but true…..then she said i shouldn’t speak ill of the dead, i said i think it’s fine, cuz you speak well of them too, just speak the truth…….sister agreed.

and revbev, sorry, but i’ve seen you say some pretty crass stuff about people on here too, so, i don’t think you have a lot of room to slam anyone for doing the same…….what’s the difference if they’re dead or alive? it’s the same thing…..is it the truth? or just someone to blame, or just gossip? i think that’s what matters……if it’s true, kinda hard to argue about it.

when i die, or even while i’m alive, that’s what i hope people speak about me, the truth…….good and/or bad. both are true.

and tim? he helped expose me to more politicians in the early nineties, i liked his voice and never missed his show for years and years….he helped me put a face and their positions to the names that added to my cspan viewing……loved him, but became disappointed in him. felt he was caught in the trap of wanting people to think well of him more than going after the truth……which was his job.

but i think he felt he was just providing a forum, and that was his job…….

rip.

((((((((((dmac))))))))))

The point, for me, is that you don’t need to speak ill of the dead on the day he dies. Later, if you feel you must, but have the decency to respect Tim and his family on this day.

I respect your outrage, but i truly believe that there’s a time and a place, and on the day that a college student loses his dad and his mother loses her husband isn’t the time.

I’m also fairly sure Jane made clear that she didn’t think this was the place.

Not to put too fine a point on it, whatever any of us think of Tim Russert’s work, it’s at an end. I don’t think showing some charity will hurt us.

Wishing kindness and solace for the Russert family. R.I.P.

We do all have a common enemy at the end.

When Van Morisson dies.. I will remember decades of joy his music gave me.. But I will also remember the concerts I attended where he didn’t allow folks to stand up and dance.

This is a blog.. not the Russert family living room.. DO you really think GE ADM Cheney and his operatives etc. (you know, Tims friends and loved ones) are not considering how best to replace him with another just like him right now?

Do people who suffered from those who passed not have a right to morn in their own way too?

First time to look at the news all day and wow, a surprise indeed. RIP Tim.

Haven’t seen hide nor hair of Chris Matthews.

Wow….that’s interesting.

Right, but some of what you are calling “mourning” seems to be more of a reveling in the misfortune of the Russert family.

It seems that for one afternoon, the vituperative responses can be placed on hold.

I agree with Julia, there is a time and place. No one is suggesting that you lionize him. But you could spare a moment to wish his wife and child well, and his dad.

It’s a moment for solemnity and humanity, not rage.

Also, to the person who bashed RevDeb–throwing heat at someone who is alive and fully capable of defending themselves, is different than speaking ill of the dead, who can no longer defend their own reputations.

Quoting my mother “If you cannot think of something nice to say, best not to say anything at all.” These are certainly not words I usually live by, but they do apply to funerals and wakes. I case you guys didn’t all get the memo, this is an on line wake.

If you don’t want to pay your repsects to the recently deceased, there are older threads to hang out on and there will be a new thread on schedule. I have never gone to the trouble of going to a wake just to talk trash about the deceased. Why would anyone do that?

Does anyone find it odd that Chris Matthews is no where to be seen?

Dakine, show me one negative word about his family I have made? I only said bless them and I am sure they had other/better experiences.. Projecting my bad memories of Tims professional career into some false idea or ill will towards his entire family is what many are wiling to do here. But it is simply not accurate in re my words above.

My “vituperative response” never lied our country into war nor perpetuated the lie for years on end.

I suppose mourning was not the best word. So I will stick with reflection on what he meant to me and my country and my hope history reflects upon Tim’s professional career correctly.

Anyway.. said my piece.. thanks

Just curious but where do we draw the line in these things. If it had been Dick Cheney’s heart that gave out today, would we be having a respectful wake for him where we studiously ignored all the evil he is responsible for and all the harm that he has done? And if we allowed to criticize him, then where is the line? If we did in his case, what about for those who enabled him: David Addington, John Yoo, Scooter Libby, Tim Russert? Which brings us back to the current case. How big an enabler of this Administration does one have to be before we can take note of it in their passing?

Quoting my mother “If you cannot think of something nice to say, best not to say anything at all.” These are certainly not words I usually live by, but they do apply to funerals and wakes. I case you guys didn’t all get the memo, this is an on line wake.

If you don’t want to pay your repsects to the recently deceased, there are older threads to hang out on and there will be a new thread on schedule. I have never gone to the trouble of going to a wake just to talk trash about the deceased. Why would anyone do that?

I don’t agree that this is an on-line wake; it would have to be labelled as such. For the sake of decorum it’s probably best not to cheer Russert’s death until at least a day has gone by. Still, the same could be said for anybody. Even the loathesome Dick Cheney has people who love him and would miss him.

LHP–you read it wrong-it wasn’t rev DEB it was rev BEV……..

and this wasn’t a wake, it was an announcement of his death, wakes aren’t the same day……a vigil is, if this is a vigil, then no bad words. but then we have to be in the same location he is for that.

========
in general–
and i saw what the post was and thought, oh my, read some of the names being ’nice’ and thought what hypocrites….just go read the sunday threads julia…….it’s ok to call someone everything but a white boy but the day he dies say rip and that makes it ok……..the ones who said what they felt was the truth have my respect more than the others…..and like i said earlier, i liked him.

actually this thread was a lot better than i thought it was going to be, i have to give the pups an atta-woof…..

this isn’t a funeral home or a wake, we’re in the car driving somewhere or in our kitchens finding out the news. and you pick up the phone and say what you think.

his family isn’t in the car or the kitchen, his family isn’t going to read this, get real. and this isn’t a wake, it was an announcement of his death…….big difference of purpose.

a wake comes after those emotions have calmed down.

be nice at the funeral home, wake, don’t wear red.

Thirded

“time and place”

If it were Dick Cheney, I would hope that we could be just as respectful of him and recognize his humanity.

Otherwise, where are we any different from those on the Right whom we decry?

Do we really want to act like they do?

Here’s a line, Jane put up a post and said “Condolences to all his friends and family.”

To me that is a call to enter respectfully, remove hat, and contemplate the mystery of life and death.

There are people in the administration/media that we very well might not have such a post for. But for Russert, yes. Condolence post, time for reflection on our common humanity.

dmac, I’m sorry if you think my writing is hypocritical. I’m not really best known for my niceness.

I have, on the other hand, in this past year, lost Steve Gilliard, Jim Capozzola, and an uncle and aunt who were kind to me when it wasn’t a popular thing to do.

At the risk of personalizing this, I’m remarkably well in touch with what it means to lose someone just now, and if we’re better than they are, we ought to reflect that by respecting the grief of their families enough not to pile on their loved one when he’s not cold yet.

You always add a balanced, well thought comment.
Otherwise, where are we any different from those on the Right whom we decry?
I have wondered that same question here many, many times.
Thank you for being you, Dakine, The Kind.
It’s something I happen to admire.

For the next week we won’t be able to turn on our TV’s without enduring hours and hours of what a great guy and wonderful journalist Tim Russert was. The week after that it’ll be like he never existed.
I’m certain that Timmeh’s family will not be looking on our little blogs for our responses to his death. I’m equally certain that someone who supposedly cares about Mr Russert’s family will drag some of our less supportive comments out and dump it on them, like a dog who vomits on the rug.

Bullseye. Thank you.

I’m equally certain that someone who supposedly cares about Mr Russert’s family will drag some of our less supportive comments out and dump it on them, like a dog who vomits on the rug.

How would you respond if someone at Malkin’s or LGF or Pajamas Media acted in that fashion with the news of say Teddy Kennedy having cancer?

Do you perpetuate the hate just because?

Of all things in the world to be arguing about this is amazing. Could we all just stop this.

55 here, but lost my little sister in March at 50, brother last year at 52. My deepest condolences to the Russert family.

Seconded.