A Great Voice Signs Off...

Today shortly after lunch, political pundit Tim Russert, the host of NBC's Sunday morning mainstay, "Meet the Press", died of a heart attack. While our views were not always eye-to-eye, I certainly had the utmost respect for Russert as a journalist. His stance was always clear, but he was never one to polarize those around him (ala Keith Olberman and Bill O'Reilly). Journalists and politicians alike are in shock today (myself included). I can't bring myself to tell Whitney, yet. It will ruin her day. Russert was her favorite....
A native New Yorker born in Buffalo, Russert rose through the ranks of politics with the campaign of Sen. Daniel Patrick Moynihan (D-New York) in the late 1970's. Later he was instrumental in the campaign and election of the infamous New York mayor/governor, Mario Cuomo, in the early 80's and later served as a part of Cuomo's braintrust. Leaving New York politics, Russert stepped into Washington journalism and was hired by NBC's Washington Bureau Office in 1984. Climbing the ranks through the years, Russert was currently the head of NBC's Washington Bureau. Political commentary will be missing a little something after today. The election coverage this fall will certainly be lacking without Russert's presence. On a personal note, Sunday mornings in our little Boston house will be certainly different, as we have not found a church that we love here. Frequently, we find ourselves at home on Sunday morning watching none other than "NBC's Meet the Press with Tim Russert". Russert passed away too soon while in the newsroom doing voiceovers for this Sunday's upcoming episode. He had just returned from a family trip to Italy celebrating his son's graduation from Boston College. Everyone hug your dad this weekend if you can. You just never know. Tim Russert was 58.