Breaking News: NBC's Tim Russert has died

[JonathanBelles]

Family members say NBC's Tim Russert has died.

They tell The New York Times that Russert died of an apparent heart attack.

The host of NBC's "Meet the Press" was 58.

Longtime NBC anchor Tom Brokaw has now confirmed Russert's death, in a special report on NBC.

Brokaw says Russert's death came during a political campaign that "he loved."

He called Russert a "beloved colleague" and "one of the premier journalists of our time."


http://www.baynews9.com/content/36/2008 ... t+has+died

[HURAKAN]

Wow, that's a real shock. I know anyone that is alive can die but no one could expect this.

[southerngale]

I just walked in a room while working and saw it on Fox News. I'm just stunned. He was so young.

[Brent]

I am crying here. This is a total shock.

[srainhoutx]

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/25145431

Major heart attack while working. So Sad.

[Cyclenall]

Oh my gosh, this is shocking, I can't believe he died. Very sad.

[gtalum]

This is sad. Tim was one of a very few political journalists who really showed a lot of integrity. He'll be missed.

[x-y-no]

What a shock. Apparently, he was at work recording voice-overs for Sunday's MTP when he just collapsed.

Rest in peace, Tim.

[Brent]

His two books-Big Russ and Me in 2004 and Wisdom of Our Fathers in 2006-were both New York Times #1 bestsellers.

He has received forty-eight honorary doctorate degrees from American colleges and universities and has lectured at the Kennedy, Johnson, Nixon and Reagan Presidential Libraries.

Russert took over the helm of "Meet the Press" in December 1991. Since then, MTP has become the most watched Sunday morning interview program in America and the most quoted news program in the world. Now in its 60th year, "Meet the Press" is the longest-running program in the history of television. Russert has interviewed every major figure on the American political scene.

Russert joined NBC News in 1984. In April 1985, he supervised the live broadcasts of the Today program from Rome, negotiating and arranging an appearance by Pope John Paul II, a first for American television. In 1986 and 1987 Russert led
NBC News weeklong broadcasts from South America, Australia and China.

Washingtonian Magazine dubbed Tim Russert the best and most influential journalist in Washington, D.C. describing "Meet the Press" as "the most interesting and important hour on television."

In 2008, Time Magazine named him one of the 100 most influential people in the world.

TV Guide selected his use of the white dry eraser board (Florida, Florida, Florida) on Election Night 2000 as one of the "100 Most Memorable TV Moments" in history. The Washington Post credits him with coining the phrase "red state" and "blue state" to explain the nation's political divide.

In 2005, he was awarded an Emmy for his role in the coverage of the funeral of President Reagan. He is the recipient of the Golden Plate Award of the Academy of Achievement. His Election 2000 Meet the Press interviews with George W. Bush and Al Gore won the Radio and Television Correspondents' highest honor, the Joan S. Barone Award and the Annenberg Center's Walter Cronkite Award. Russert's March 2000 interview of Senator John McCain shared the 2001 Edward R. Murrow Award for Overall Excellence in Television Journalism. He is also the recipient of the John Peter Zenger Award, the American Legion Journalism Award, the Veterans of Foreign Wars News Media Award, the Congressional Medal of Honor Society Journalism Award, the Allen H. Neuharth Award for Excellence in Journalism, the David Brinkley Award for Excellence in Communication, the Catholic Academy for Communication's Gabriel Award, and inducted into the Broadcasting & Cable Hall of Fame.

He is a trustee of the Freedom Forum's Newseum and a member of the Board of Directors of the Greater Washington Boys and Girls Club and America's Promise - Alliance for Youth.

In 1995, the National Father's Day Committee named him "Father of the Year", Parents magazine honored him as "Dream Dad" in 1998 and in 2001 the National Fatherhood Initiative also recognized him as Father of the Year.

Irish America magazine has named him one of the top 100 Irish Americans in the country and he was selected as a Fellow of the Commission of European Communities.

Russert was born in Buffalo, New York on May 7, 1950. He is a graduate of Canisius High School, John Carroll University and with honors from the Cleveland-Marshall College of Law.

Before joining NBC News, Russert observed firsthand the inner workings of the executive and legislative branches of government as counselor in the New York Governor's office in Albany in 1983 and 1984 and a special counsel in the United States Senate from 1977 to 1982.

He is admitted to the bar in New York and the District of Columbia.

Russert is married to Maureen Orth, a writer for Vanity Fair magazine. They live in Washington, D.C. They have a son, Luke.

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/25145431/

[Brent]

He was interviewed just this morning about the election:

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

[flwxwatcher]

RIP Tim Russert

[Brent]

NBC has stopped reporting it was a heart attack:

Tim Russert collapsed while preparing for Meet the Press. Resuscitation was begun immediately and the DC EMS arrived and a full code was initiated and he was transported to Sibley Memorial Hospital where resuscitation efforts were continued but to no avail. The cause of death is yet to be determined. An autopsy is being performed.

[LarryWx]

I have had nothing but the utmost respect for Tim Russert due to both his incredible passion as well as the ability to be one of the most unbiased interviewers. His interviews were some of the best I've ever heard. May Tim rest in peace. I already miss him greatly.

[HarlequinBoy]

I was so sad to here this. He was great.

[Ptarmigan]

RIP Tim Russert. Condolences to his family. I never watched Meet The Press. If anything comforting, Tim Russert died what he loved to do.

[Squarethecircle]

The sad death of a great man. RIP

In addition: The autopsy showed signs of a clot, resulting in cardiac arrhythmia. Unfortunately these things happen when people get older.

[vbhoutex]

Truly one of the most influential men in the world and at the very top of his profession. None better IMO. May he RIP! Prayers going out to his family and friends during this very difficult time.

[fci]

How shocking and terribly sad.
Everything you hear about him is that he embodied all the right things; hard work, family man, friend, mentor, wonderful son, terrific father and husband.

Watching MSNBC's coverage was at times heartbreaking as they all had to immediately recall their times with a colleauge they seemed to genuinely love and respect.

[Jinkers]

May he rest in peace. He was one of my favorite newscasters, he called it like it was, I'm watching MSNBC's coverge now, and it's so sad.

My prayers to his family

[Stephanie]

A major loss to the news media and to the world. He was too young.

May he rest in peace and my prayers go out to his family and friends.