Tim Russert

While this blog is about what I’m doing in Argentina, I completely reserve the right to write about other things as I feel moved to do so. This is such a time.

I don’t get to surf the next much at work. When I finally got a chance after a few hours Friday, I went to The Fix to see if he had any new election analysis up. The title of the most recent blog post “On Tim Russert” led me to believe that I was about to read something about the role the media will play in politics this cycle. Nothing groundbreaking, but I’m always open to a Chris Cillizza piece.

Obviously the first line of the post made it clear to me that this was, unfortunately, far from a run of the mill post.

I have never met Tim Russert nor have I met anyone is his family. Much like when John Spencer of The West Wing died a few years ago, however, his passing has effected me emotionally somewhat. I feel a real sadness knowing that I will never wake up on a Sunday morning and see him, with his almost comfortingly benign countenance masking a tough and incisive journalistic mind, pressing many of our nation’s most powerful people and holding court with America’s leading newspeople.

I, like millions, was a fan of his work on “Meet the Press.” The opening sequence of that show, with the producer’s voice coming over the loudspeaker and booming score, made the viewer feel as if something were truly on the verge of happening,that we were in for an event. Russert’s excitement about politics and his slightly boisterous persona combined with his great knowledge and preparation confirmed this notion.

Though not nearly as much as his family, who have my condolences and who are in my prayers, I will miss this man and what he brought to America’s political table. Though it might be "Meet the Press" if it's Sunday, it won't quite be the same.