Russert’s March into History
By Adnan Gill
Rancho Palos Verdes, CA
One of Time Magazine’s 100 most influential people in the world, Tim Russert died at the age of 58. In his death we lost a TV legend and an icon.
A journalist, commentator, talk show host, mentor, and a legendry political analyst, Russert was known for his love for politics, honesty and integrity. But those who knew Tim off the screen knew a deeply family-oriented man who marveled his father and adored his son.
His kindness and love for the children was not a secret, they remember him as Uncle Tim. Since the mid-80s, Tim was the Vice President of NBC and Washington Bureau Chief. His down to earth and caring demeanor elevated him to the stature of a fatherly figure for his colleagues, friends, and family.
However, it was his Sunday morning political talk show, ‘Meet the Press’ that made him the legendry TV journalist. Politicians and political hopefuls literally trembled at the thought of appearing in his show. Mostly, those who survived his extremely well researched questioning got their careers made; similarly, those who faltered in the face of Tim’s questioning saw their political dreams crumble to the ground right in front of their eyes. Just ask KKK’s David Duke to name the cause of his political demise, he will surely name, Tim Russert.
For the past 15 years, every Sunday morning, I religiously woke up early to watch Tim giving the powerful and influential run for their money with his characteristic unrelenting questioning. When I couldn’t catch it in the morning, I watched its rebroadcast, the same evening, on the MSNBC. After Peter Jennings’ unfortunate death, Tim Russert was the only other public figure whose death brought tears to my eyes. I am not sure if I will wake up early on Sunday mornings anymore. He will always be missed on the Sundays.
Rest well, rest well Tim. Tim would say, ‘Go get em.’
