Remembering Tim Russert: A journalism icon
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I was on the convention floor during a non-prime time segment of the 2004 Republican National Convention at Madison Square Garden, when an NBC-TV reporter by the name of Tim Russert sauntered over to the Virginia Delegation and asked “What’s happening, Virginia?” I offered a short response and then immediately was given a quick burst of questioning by the finest interrogator in American journalism.
Reminding me that Virginia last gave her electoral votes to a Democratic candidate for president in 1964, but noting the crest of popularity that appeared to be riding with Democratic governor Mark Warner, Russert wanted to know if John Kerry could carry my home state. I gave him a stock response, straight from my RNC talking points, which he no doubt expected, and then realized that I had committed a blunder commonly made by many guests on “Meet the Press” over the course of the past 17 years.
Unwittingly, I had given an answer without providing either an analysis or rationale for my conclusion. Even in this casual discourse, Russert would not allow for my stock response to remain unexamined. I was then adroitly cross-examined about Fairfax County’s recent Democratic voting tendencies in presidential elections, of Mark Warner’s funding of a good Democratic Party voter ID program and of other factors that suggested that Sen. Kerry might have a shot at winning Virginia.
After our interrogation-conversation went on about 10 minutes, Russert gave me his card, an invitation to watch a “Meet the Press” taping, and a genuine Irish smile and handshake that could have come from Ronald Reagan, Tip O’Neill or a host of other Irish-American politicians, regrettably not including John Kerry, who instinctively know how to connect with their fellow human beings.
With that as a backdrop, I am left with profound sadness that Tim Russert was called home last week, leaving behind a wonderful family and millions of fans who appreciated what a special guy he was.
Tim Russert taught us many things that we should take to heart, remember and pass on to our children. Most importantly, he reminded us that while there are many bad politicians, politics itself is an honorable calling. To Russert, honest political service by enlightened men and women was a terrific good while power seeking by candidates who either lacked intellectual prowess or felt a sense of entitlement was disdainful.
Undoubtedly, Russert’s service under American’s brightest senator of the 20th century, Daniel Patrick Moynihan (D-N.Y.), contributed a bit to this personality trait he exhibited often, but his solid working class roots fostered a dislike of any politician wannabe who even remotely suggested that they were “entitled” to office by virtue of good bloodlines, a favorable marriage or friends in high places.
In a recent letter, Loudoun Supervisor Stevens Miller remarked that he was highly skeptical of any person who said that they would “like to run for something” one day. I agree and Russert would concur with us. A review of “Meet the Press” archives since 1991 would reveal what happened to unfortunate guests who would utter a vapid desire to “run for something.”
While the urge to serve the people is always good, foggy-headedness in expressing one’s desire for political power is at best shallow or at worst indicative of a sense of entitlement. This is the lesson of the Jesuits and it was imbued in the political soul of Tim Russert.
When the great newsman Edward R. Murrow died, my late father told me, “We may never see a guy like him again.”
Today, I told my son the same thing about Tim Russert.
“Command them to do good, to be rich in good deeds, and be generous and willing to share”.
I Timothy 6:18
Farewell, Tim Russert. You will be missed, especially on Sunday mornings and the evening of Nov. 4.
The writer, a longtime land-use attorney in Loudoun, is managing shareholder of the Leesburg office of Walsh, Colucci.
What a wonderful short memorial on a great newsman. The passage from Paul's first epistle to Timothy is quite apt and I appreciate Mr. Minchew's use of that passage in his article.
Tim Russert would be proud to see that passage framed in his eulogy as an admonition to politicians everywhere.
Posted by JAnderson
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