Good-Bye Friend

I never met Tim Russert, but for the last 5-8 years, I have felt like he's been a member of the family. Russert, the host of "Meet the Press", died of a heart attack on Friday, he was 58. I became a fan of "Meet the Press" mainly because of Russert. In addition to watching "Meet the Press", I'd also watch Russert's program on MSNBC (formerly CNBC) titled "Tim Russert", where Russert would interview a guest, or guests, for a full hour. In addition to my viewership of Russert's programs, I have also read his book "Big Russ and Me", as well as listening to podcasts and watching video podcasts of "Meet the Press". You could say, I was a full fledged member of the Tim Russert fan club.


In addition to viewing "Meet the Press", TIVO helped me also watch "Face the Nation", "This Week" and "FOX News Sunday". Russert turned me into a political junkie. I guess you could say I became like Russert. Like Russert, I am a huge sports fan and a huge fan of my father. It was impossible to be a devout viewer of "Meet the Press" and not know who "Big Russ" was. The affection that Russert preached for his father and his son, Like were heartwarming. But, in the hours and days of Tim Russert tributes on MSNBC, NBC and others, you could tell Russert loved all his friends as if they were family, and obviously if you have spent 15 minutes or 15 hours watching the tributes to Russert, you know his friends felt the same way about him.


My dad had called my wife Friday, after hearing the news from his neighbor. My wife woke me and told me the news. I awoke in shock. I couldn't believe it. So, I immediately rushed to my office, where I had been recording the U.S. Open to my Direc TV DVR. I knew the NBC coverage of the U.S. Open was two hours long. My DVR recorder 1 hour and 28 minutes of it. My wife informed me of a 1 minute power outage we had. So, I immediately began fast forwarding as fast as I could because I wanted to hear the news to make sure it was true. Then Dan Hicks tossed to Tom Brokaw in New York, who delieverd the sad news. It was true, my heart dropped even more. When I hear bad news, especially that of death, I try to pass it along to someone else. Especially, if I am passing it along to someone who liked the person that is no longer with us. Dad is normally the first call, but since he called me, I couldn't call him. Mom was next in line. I think I scared her half to death. I called and said I have sad news. Then, I couldn't be understood as I was choked up with emotion and trying to fight back tears. She was saddened as well. But, I don't know that anyone in my family was as devistated as me.


In my life span of paying attention to world and national events, I can't remember a journalist being taken from their network while still in their prime. David Bloom, was a NBC reporter, but Bloom was not as recognizable as Russert. Peter Jennings was not as present of a face at ABC, when he passed. Tom Mees was recognizable at ESPN, but as widely popular as "Sportscenter" is, I don't think it nets the viewership that "Meet the Press" garners.

I am sure I will reflect more on Tim Russert later, as he will never be duplicated.