I'm really going to miss the political analysis and commentary of this great journalist. I will also miss his presence on Meet The Press, as well as his contributions to shows all across the NBC network. In my opinion, his was one of the most authoritative voices on electoral and presidential politics today. I will always remember the long, suspensful election night of November 2000 - Tim with his hand-drawn electoral maps, calculating the potential outcomes if votes went a certain way in Florida, down to the precint level. As an interviewer, he had no peer. He had a way of cutting through the crap and really getting his subjects to give concise answers to questions they often wished to avoid. Tim Russert was a first rate journalist, the best in his field. But for me Tim transcended the boundaries of conventional political journalism when he wrote Big Russ and Me and made us revisit the whole notion of honoring our parents; respecting them for the sacrifices they made in raising us, and acknowledging the contributions and the gifts they have given us along the way. Tim's work reminded us that we owe our parents a debt that can never be repaid, and for that, Tim we will always owe you. God bless you and may the Lord bless and protect your family in their hour of darkness.
Rick