A year without Tim Russert

A year without Tim Russert is like -- or just is -- a year without good, meaty yet objective political discourse. Russert, I miss ya. And I bet a lot of other political junkies, pundits, and politicians do too. (Okay, maybe not the politicians so much, who were often nervous in your presence, though considered an appearance with you on "Meet the Press" an acid test, or proof they had arrived.)

It was a year ago today, June 13, 2008, when Tim Russert, the beloved and respected moderator of "Meet the Press" and head of NBC's Washington bureau died suddenly. I had just entered Washington, D.C., by car, when a friend texted me the news. And for the rest of the weekend, I was glued to the TV and/or radio, seeking information on Russert's untimely and unfortunate passing.

A political junkie since high school (who went on to receive a BA in Political Science from Hillary Clinton's alma mater and an MA in International Relations from the university where Barack Obama taught law), I made a beeline for the Newseum shortly after my arrival in D.C. and was greeted by floor-to-ceiling images of Tim Russert that had been erected overnight in the lobby. It was a bit overpowering, or overwhelming, as was Russert, but a fitting tribute to a man whom both Democrats and Republicans, Liberals and Conservatives, called friend -- or at least respected.

There was much talk in the coming weeks and months as to who would become the new moderator of "Meet the Press." (There was no replacing Russert.) The temporary assignment went to former NBC Nightly News anchor Tom Brokaw, who did a fine job. But he was no Russert. Then in December NBC announced David Gregory would take the reins as moderator of "Meet the Press."

While I like David Gregory, he is no Tim Russert. And I no longer sneak off to the gym or time my Sunday laundry to catch at least a half hour of "Meet the Press." Instead, if I happen to be near a TV around 10:30 a.m. Sunday morning, I flip between "Meet the Press," "Face the Nation" with Bob Schieffer, and "This Week with George Stephanopoulos."

And it's not just Sunday mornings that are different since Russert's passing. Last year's historic presidential election, particularly the presidential debates, just weren't the same without Tim Russert there.

This Sunday on "Meet the Press with David Gregory," David Gregory will be interviewing Vice President Joe Biden. (An "exclusive," as they say in the biz.) I have no doubt it will be entertaining and informative, and that I will watch a few minutes. But I know as I watch that I will be thinking of Russert... and I bet a lot of other folks will be too.

R.I.P. Russert. You are missed.

Who will "Meet the Press" on Sunday mornings?

I think more than enough has been said and written about Tim Russert, the very popular host of "Meet the Press," and the Washington Bureau Chief for NBC News, who died unexpectedly the afternoon of Friday, June 13. That said, I am going to add my (brief) thoughts on Mr. Russert and "Meet the Press" to the blogosphere anyway.

I first heard about Tim Russert's untimely passing while driving into D.C. the afternoon of June 13, literally minutes after his death had been announced. My first reaction was disbelief: How could this larger than life figure be dead? But by the time I made it to my hotel, having listened to NPR say it again and again, I realized it was true.

Like many people, my spouse and I referred to "Meet the Press" simply as "Russert," as in, "Who's on 'Russert' this Sunday?" or "Did you happen to catch any of 'Russert' Sunday?" Unable to watch at home, due to a young child who required my undivided attention, I have, over the years, timed my Sunday gym visits specifically so I could watch most of "Meet the Press" or timed laundry folding so I could watch at least some of it.

When it came to election coverage, I tended to watch (and still do) NBC or MSNBC, in large part due to Tim Russert (though I also enjoy the verbal stylings and political acumen of Tom Brokaw, Brian Williams, who is hosting the show today, David Gregory, Andrea Mitchell, Mike Barnicle, and most recently Rachel Maddow, all of whom are MSNBC regulars).

My spouse and I even occasionally watched Russert's one-on-one interview show (whose name escapes me and which I cannot find by Googling) which aired on Saturday nights. I didn't always agree with Russert, but he was the best game in town if the game was politics or political punditry.

When I went to the Newseum that Saturday morning (something everyone visiting D.C. who cares about history or journalism should do), I was somewhat surprised to see they had already erected a Tim Russert memorial in the lobby. And you couldn't turn on cable TV -- or read a paper or listen to NPR -- without hearing someone talking about him.

Watching and listening to all these heartfelt tributes and recollections, it struck me: this man was truly loved. LOVED. Not in that superficial, "love ya," double-air-kiss kind of way but in the I-can't-imagine-life-or-Sundays-without-you kind of way. His colleagues loved him. His family loved him. His friends loved him. And his hometown of Buffalo, NY. They all LOVED him -- and he them. In this day and age of "what have you done for me lately" or "what are you going to do for me" friendships, especially within the Beltway, that was -- and is -- truly remarkable.

Watching Mike Barnicle's eulogy during the memorial service held at the Kennedy Center Wednesday afternoon, I found myself wishing (praying?) that someone, some day would speak as eloquently and as lovingly and as humorously of me when I died. (Maria Shriver's eulogy, on the other hand, I thought was was rather self-serving and a bit mean, though I am sure Shriver thought it was witty and cute.)

As for "Meet the Press," while it may be "crass," as many folks have said or written to think about replacing Russert already, let's get real. While no one can "replace" Russert, the show needs a regular host, preferably someone with serious political chops who can remain neutral.

This article from MecuryNews.com I thought did a nice job of running down "some names that have been raised amid the speculative chatter" re who should take over as moderator of "Meet the Press," including many -- namely Tom Brokaw, Andrea Mitchell, and Gwen Ifill -- who I think would do a good job, too. (I would also add Rachel Maddow to the list, though as a left-leaning/Liberal lesbian, I doubt she has much of a chance, but go ahead NBC and prove me wrong. And I would immediately cross off Joe Scarborough, Chris Matthews, and Keith Olbermann, who are all too opinionated, for better or worse. And while I liked her on "The Today Show," I do not think Katie Couric would be a good choice either.)

No matter who becomes the new moderator, however, though I am curious to see how Brian Williams does this morning, the rest of this election cycle will not be the same without Timothy Joseph Russert.

SUNDAY 11:30 AM UPDATE: As I was working out on the elliptical trainer at the gym, flipping channels during a commercial break on "Meet the Press," CNN announced that Tom Brokaw would be taking over moderator duties on "Meet the Press" through the 2008 presidential election. I think it is a great choice (though Brian Williams did a fine job this morning, though I think he went a bit easy on Biden and Graham). Welcome, Mr. Brokaw.