[Choux]

I'm very upset about the death of Tim Russert; he was a quality journalist, a man with character and integrity and a *real* love for his country. He lived his ethical/moral code and was a quality example to others.

Here is to you, Tim!

[Fr_Chuck]

Real shame at such a young age,

[Choux]

And, before the Presidential election; he was so looking forward to help cover the election this fall. Really untimely.

[George_1950]

A bright star within his profession has been extinguished; but an opportunity for a new light has emerged. Thanks, Choux.

[progunr]

Very sad.

Just knowing that his son and father are left to grieve, so close to fathers day, is heartbreaking!

He will be missed.

[excon]

Hello Choux:

Yup. I liked him. Why couldn't this happen to Novak or somebody like that? Ok, I don't want him dead either - sick maybe..

Russert was younger than me. He worked out. He just got checked out by his doctor..

I'm going for another walk on the beach.

excon

[George_1950]

Hello Choux:

Yup. I liked him. Why couldn't this happen to Novak or somebody like that? Ok, I don't want him dead either - sick maybe..

Russert was younger than me. He worked out. He just got checked out by his doctor..

I'm going for another walk on the beach.

excon

Grab another glass of red wine; cheers!

[BABRAM]

Tim Russert


He did a great job and provided excellent commentary!

[Choux]

Such a quality individual... we miss you Tim!!

[tomder55]

I admired his tenacity during interviews . To me that is how Q and A sessions should be conducted .Much better than fluff interviews like Katie Couric or one sided ones like Keith Olberman conducts.

Russert clearly loved his family . He admired and emulated his father's work ethic. In his book about his old man Russert noted that when he retired his father still had 200+ sick days available. When he asked him why ;his father responded "because I wasn't sick". Russert just last week had to put his father into a nursing home which added to the stess of a very busy week.

For years I have made the time to either watch 'Meet the Press' or read it's transcripts.. It was Russert who single-handedly made that program a" must see".Yes it is an opportunity for someone else... my bet is David Gregory(I hope it isn't that blowhard Chris Matthews).But Russert left large shoes to fill.

[Choux]

His show Meet the Press was a must see for me... he pressed all his political guests for truthful answers... I'm still sick about this.

I bet they will ask Tom Brokaw to be the interim substitute, but he is not confrontational. I don't know who on the horizon they are going to choose. This has always been a show of the highest integrity.

[tomder55]

Brokaw ? Perhaps but you noted his weakness . The reason I though Gregory is that he is confrontational . If he can set aside his biases then he could do the job. Another possibility would have Brian Williams fill in.

Let's face it ;Russert made the show what it is. I will probably switch to Chris Wallace's Sunday show .

BTW :did you see the classless way Chris Matthews remembered Russert on Olberman's show ? Matthews went on an anti-war rant comparing Russert to the “American people” in being fooled by the Bush administration into supporting the war.

[Choux]

No I didn't see that, Tom... Chris can be, hmmm, too goal oriented? LOL!

Yeah, Gregory can be forceful... but, can he see all sides-do the research that a quality show need? Brian Williams... Bah.

Maybe, an non media person? I have no idea who.

[tomder55]

I don's see anyone in the ranks at NBC who could do the job... David Shuster ? Naaaahh Andrea Mitchell... ready to pack it in.

Guess we'll see Sunday but I bet whoever fills in will be temporary.

Dostoevsky said that all Russian authors came out from Gogol's overcoat, and clearly legions of cable news hosts have come out from under Russert's. Whatever limitations there are to his approach, it's unlikely his successor will improve upon them. Rather, we'll probably get more of what much of television news already is -- broadcasting a la Russert, but without the full measure of skill and commitment of the master himself.

Matthew Yglesias (of Atlantic Magazine)

The video of Mathew's melt down is here :
Hot Air » Blog Archive » Stay classy, Chris Matthews

[Choux]

Thanks for the quote.

I read today that Meet the Press had $60 million dollars a week in advertising revenue. A lot is at stake for NBC here. Plus, a waiting list for advertisers!

Keeping that in mind, I think they might go with Chris Matthews and "clean him up" a little because he has high ratings for cable, and Americans like the excitement of confrontation.

For now, I'm going with Chris Matthews.

I think they are grooming Rachel Maddow for a spot as a moderator... She has lots of excellent TV qualities for a difficult job like that.

[George_1950]

Chris Matthews is far and away too transparent a 'liberal' and lacks Russert's professional training to mask his agenda for supporting left-wing causes. They could return Meet The Press to its former format, with a host and several journalists questioning the guest. It's become very difficult to find journalists with ethics these days. Most likely candidate with the necessary gravitas: Bill O'Reilly: http://www.billoreilly.com/g/Bill's-Bio/515.html

[excon]

It's become very difficult to find journalists with ethics these days. Most likely candidate with the necessary gravitas: Bill O'Reilly: http://www.billoreilly.com/g/Bill's-Bio/515.html

Hello George:

You had me right up until the end. Bwa, ha ha ha ha. O'Reilly is a buffoon.

excon

[NeedKarma]

O'Reilly is long-standing laughing stock fodder on the internet for various reasons, but currently for this:

[tomder55]

I agree with Choux . NBC has no one else even close to Russert ;but Matthews has audience. I even watch his show. That should give a tingle up his leg.

[Choux]

Bill O?? he is a blowhard, screamer, and a bully who shouts and overtalks guests... he is strictly entertainment, no class, no morality, no integrity... and his ratings are going down. His audience average age is around 60... screaming BS for timid seniors who like to hate minorities.

BWAH HA HA