Sundays Will Never Be the Same

Sundays will never be the same.

I watched Meet The Press with disbelief yesterday, for the first time my favorite anchorman was not there, the big guy's chair was empty as his colleagues reminisced on his life and career.

Of course I never met the man but I watched and learned as he engaged me in a way no other could. Russert made you feel that you were a part of the conversation and made it so simple that anyone would understand. It was a testament to his working class roots which he never forgot. Buffalo's favorite son passed away after a massive heart attack on Friday and the political world is still in shock.

Russert was tough, almost prosecutorial and I marvelled in how he made politicians cringe with his gotcha moments. He did it with such grace and non-partisan flair that people lined up to be on his show. If a politician wanted to be part of the news cycle on Monday, a Meet The Press appearance was necessary. The journalistic integrity was unsurpassed, respected by both Democrats and Republicans, and in this partisan era, it was rare to see someone command that kind of respect and admiration from both sides of the ideological spectrum.

NBC has some big shoes to fill.

Tim Russert was the one who reminded us that Barack Obama would accept the Democratic nomination on the 45th anniversary of Martin Luther King's I Have A Dream.

He was also the one who boldly called the race when every other political bureau chief was playing it safe.

It is both sad and fitting that he was remembered and eulogized on Father's Day, his relationship with the man he called Big Russ, his father, shaped and molded him into the person he became. He was also a great father to his son, Luke.

He will be missed and Sundays will never be the same.



Luke Russert on his dad:

Sphere: Related Content