An inquisitor with the common touch

   Tim Russert was just a face on the television to me back in 1996, when I gave my elderly mother the thrill of her life by bringing her to the White House for a Christmas party.

   It was there that I met Russert, and it was there that I came to know him.

   A few minutes after arriving, I told my mother to wait for a moment while I went to get us some wine. That left this daughter of a coal miner and widow of a tannery worker standing awkwardly alone in the middle of an ornate White House parlor … and that was obviously too much for Tim Russert to take.

   I saw him quickly work his way out of another conversation and rush over to my mother and extend his hand. By the time I returned with my wine and introduced myself, my mother and Tim Russert were chatting like old friends.

   And the next time I saw Russert, at a party three months later, his first words to me were: "How's your mother?"

   The world knows Tim Russert through questions much tougher than that one, but to me, that question he asked me, and the act of kindness he showed us months earlier, told me everything I ever needed to know about him.

   Russert died suddenly on Friday, leaving all of official Washington in shock and deep mourning, and leaving me struggling for words, with a lump in my throat, as I wrote his obituary.

   It goes without saying that American journalism and American politics won't be the same without him. But it must be said that the lives of countless people, whom he touched with his infinite kindness, won't be the same, either.

  … Jerry Zremski

Comments

[Jim Tokarski (JT)]

Tim:

From South Buffalo to the powerful halls of D.C., you made us all proud.

BY, By Amrican Pie

Fortes in Fide

JT
South Buffalo expatriate
Nashville, TN

[BobbyCat]

Tom Brokaw ended his commentary on Tim by saying this:
"Do me a favor. Say a prayer for brother Timmy and tip a cold one for him. Go Bills."

Well said.

[Buzz]

It is surprising that Tim Russert did not receive better preventive medical care. However, there are many working people in this country who lead MUCH more stressful lives than Tim Russert and have NO medical care. The author of this article wrote his "Russert Watch" for a very good reason. Contrary to what is being written about his Buffalo roots and work under Sen. Moynihan, Russert's $5M salary and greed turned him into tool of greedy corporations, the Republican Party they own, and, worst of all, Bush. The tax cuts Russert and rich people like him apparently place above all else have made life very difficult for workers deprived of their rights and health care. I think it is important to remember the role Russert played in getting that pathetic, stupid, corrupt, coward, Bush, the WORST "president" this country has ever had, elected in 2000.
http://journals.democraticunderground.com/Time%20for%20change/31
"Confirmation of Russert’s political leanings (not that any is needed) come from an incident related by Al Gore to Anthony Lappe, which took place shortly before the 2000 election at the Al Smith dinner, attended by Gore and Bush. Here is Lappe’s description from his book:
At one point in the evening, Gore explains, Russert approached the candidates. As Gore was closest to him, Russert respectfully shook his hand and then moved on to Bush. Thinking that Gore had turned away, Russert shook Bush’s hand and, mischievously, turned over his jacket lapel to reveal a Bush campaign pin hidden under the fold.
Russert was indeed relentless on Bush’s behalf during the Florida recount."

[Chuck]

Although I never met him, I felt we were friends. His book was given to me by my family on Father's Day after my Dad passed away and it helped me with my grief. The common man has lost a great advocate, and Buffalo has lost it's native son.I think it would be a fitting tribute if the Bills placed his name on the Wall Of Fame.

[Jeff Reynolds]

Tim Russert was indeed a class act. When we decided to launch our website, we watched how Tim utilized his journalism skills and although our site is not all that professional in terms of presentation, we learned from Tim Russert to "always keep our honor" and above all, to simply do our best in our endeavors.

Thanks, Tim, for your life and presence in our lives. Your work will never be forgotten. May God grant you the reward of eternal happiness, and to your family, friends and co-workers, the pledge of our prayers.

[Tommy Brann]

We have a small government matters TV show in Wyoming, Michigan and we always would hear the Mayors leaf pick up times and other boring things. We changed our format the way Tim does it to bring life to our program. I thought of him often when we filmed. He was the king of what he did and invented it. Thanks Tim I will miss you but in a very small way will keep your legacy going on our TV program. Tommy Brann

[Frank Baratta]

Tim brought his Buffalo Values to national televison and to the world. Among those values were Family,Friends,Education,Religion,and most of all, good common sense. Through his personality he showed the world what the common person wanted to know. Tim was Buffalo and he will be missed.

[Dave to be renamed DaveM]

Say Buzz, or Wally, or is it Hank? Take it elsewhere will you? Thanks

[Todd]

All of Southwestern Blvd. should be renamed "Tim Russert Blvd." Buzz....OFF!!!

[Todd]

The BUZZ.....OFF! remark had nothing to do with the previous part of my comment btw. It was aimed at "buzz", who chooses to make the occasion of Tim Russert’s untimely death and Father's day into a political statement...have you no shame?

[Carl Kujawa]

Tim, you never forgot Buffalo and the Buffalonians will never forget you or your wonderful family. Last year my older brother spent a week of his vacation in Buffalo visiting family and friends. While he was here he purchased Tim's book and on a whim, called Tim's father in South Buffalo and asked if it would be possible to drop off the book and have it signed by his son. Dear elder Russert said "bring it over and if would be a pleasure". After an hour or so visit with Mr. Russert my brother returned to my house to share the pleasantries of the visit. A week later the book was mailed to my brother in Clarksville Tennessee signed. What a great family, what a great loss. God bless Tim and his wonderful family....

[sheila]

Friday-June 13th-- bought back too many sad memories of another Friday 13th-3 years ago-- when my beloved husband passed away--
My prayers and thought to the Russerts family-- my husband and I were loyal viewers of meet the press- because of one
man- TIM RUSSERT!! after my husband passed and my routine was somewhat settled I continued to watch meet the press on sunday morning--
Today Sunday June 15th-with tears-and a sad and heavy heart-- I watched Meet The Press- for the FINAL TIME!!!!
no one can fill that empty chair--

GOODBYE TIM RUSSERT!!!!

[John / Sue Hendricks]

God, how we will miss Timothy John Russert. For the past 17 years, he’s shared Sunday morning coffee with us and millions of Americans. He asked the questions we wanted to ask, would never back down from a squirming politician, yet emoted respect and genuine interest when interviewing his guests. The depth of Russert’s Meet the Press is light years beyond all other “tube news”. His fearless yet polite interviews were conducted without malice or agenda. Tim will be missed by millions of Americans that relied on him, alone, to be our counsel, to inquire, yes, even cross-examine the men and women that make policy, ostensibly, “lead” our Nation; to war, to peace, to judge, to trade, jobs, education, health care, on and on. Nearly every aspect of our life is determined by a politician or their appointee. I worry no man/woman can fill his shoes as the One Journalist who would never settle for spin, but pursued the Facts and Truth, we Americans need to hear. NBC has a huge void to fill and the World may never know a better political interviewer, hence, ombudsman and Hero for the common man.

My wife and I humbly offer our condolences to Tim’s immediate loved ones, his extended family at NBC, the City of Buffalo and to Honored Journalism.
There is a new star named TJR rising in tonight’s sky, may its sparkle and endless energy never be diminished and its brilliant light followed.
Respectfully, John and Sue Hendricks

[Lynne]

I am a writer in Seattle and the below link takes you my impressions of Tim and the city that made him.

http://blog.seattletimes.nwsource.com/edcetera/2008/06/tim_russert_straight_no_chaser.html

[Ren Davis]

I can just imagine Tim is now hosting an episode of Meet the Press in Heaven, with George Washington, Abraham Lincoln and Franklin Roosevelt as his guests.

[Marilyn Fegyo]

I was so deeply shocked and saddened by the untimely passing of Tim Russert. I had a funny feeling about that day; Friday, the 13th. I thought it would be something to definitely avoid; wanted to stay home that day as I had a dr.'s appt. and was going to get a knee shot but it was a "shot" felt worse than that when the news came over about Tim Russert. It was if a knife were passed thru me and any other person from our beloved City of Buffalo. I am a proud Buffalonian (now living in the South) but still say "I'm from Buffalo" if people ask me. I miss all things Buffalo; the Bills, the great Ted's hot dogs, loganberry drinks, Anderson's ice cream (especially maple walnut) and the Niagara River, and especially the warmth of the people of the area; nothing like it in other parts of the country! As Tim would say "Go Bills" even though it'll be harder this season. So, "thanks for the memories" as they say to Mr. Tim Russert, the proudest son of Buffalo! Regards to his family. Marilyn Fegyo