Like millions of Americans across the country and here throughout Southeast Volusia, I am saddened by the passing of Tim Russert, the host of Meet the Press and the Washington bureau chief for NBC News. I liked Russert because he was down to earth. He was intelligent and tough on politicians, but always fair-minded. Put simply: He was a giant in the journalism industry.
Russert never made it to the top of the network anchor chair -- not because he wasn't talented or deserving, but because of image.
Russert was no Brokaw, Jennings or Rather. He wasn't a pretty boy. He was a large man for the TV screen, but he was the best at what he did.
Russert died at 3:30 p.m. Just before 4 p.m., I saw a breaking story on the Home page of this Web site under Google News Alerts.
I turned on the TV and sat stunned. All three cable networks -- MSNBC, CNN and FOX had gavel to gavel coverage.
The other two networks showed a lot of class by not only interviewing their own analysts and newsmakers, but those of MSNBC as well.
The circumstances of Russert's death are still unclear. He collapsed in his office and died of cardiac arrest. Whether his weight or physical stature had anything to do with his death is a matter of speculation.
But it is a stark reminder that all of us need to take better care of ourselves. I am certainly not immune from that criticism. I am overweight. Very overweight. It's frightening to think how short life can be. Russert was only 58.
I was a big fan of Tim Russert, especially this primary season with hotly contested races early on in both parties and in recent months between Hillary Clinton and the eventual Democratic winner, Barack Obama.
Russert's loves were his profession, his family (especially his son who just graduated college). MSNBC showed a photo of Russert's son at current age and then closed out a segment with Russert and his son a time when he was a mere toddler.
That, more than anything got to me. Sunday is Father's Day and it made me think of my son, who is a mere 14. I want to live long enough to be there for him when he's ready to find himself in the world.
Russert was also a big-time sports fan. The Buffalo native loved his hometown NFL Bills, the New York Yankees and the Washington Nationals.
I first became enthralled with Russert a year or so ago when his guest was Caroline Kennedy. He was just so engaging.
I've enjoyed his gentle smile and his easy-going approach to analyzing issues. I also enjoyed and respected the tenacity he exhibited with the likes of "Scooter" Libby.
There are more than a few talking heads on cable TV News these days, from Bill O'Reilly to Keith Olbermann, with their Talking Points and Worst of the Worst, but they were not in the same class as Tim Russert.
Perhaps some day, up and comers like Anderson Cooper will gain such respect. Russert gave real meaning to "Meet the Press," not only in terms of the name of a news program, but at getting answers.
Russert was like the ultimate TV journalist a generation behind -- Walter Cronkite. Tim Russert was believable, honest, sincere, smart and most of all, real.