Walter Shapiro (Salon.com) on Russert.

[Shakespeare]

Some interesting points:

The Iraq War and the vicious political polarization of the past decade has created a cottage industry of media critics who dissect every syllable on television for evidence of bias, back-scratching and sheer boneheadness. Russert, because of his platform and prominence, was an easy target. By background and temperament, Russert was a natural establishmentarian, who was blessed with an optimistic faith in the long-term wisdom of the nation's political elites. Of course, Russert realized that some administration officials, some senators and some would-be presidents were dunces and dupes, liars and Lotharios. On balance, though, Russert believed in America's ability to muddle through even in the worst of times.

But the TiVo-toting taskmasters who critique Sunday morning TV performances rarely pause to appreciate how difficult it is for a questioner to derail a well-prepared government official or politician from reciting memorized talking points until the next commercial break. Russert's specialty -- unearthing an ancient quote that contradicts the current position of the "Meet the Press" guest -- sometimes had a shallow "gotcha" quality, but it also could be a potent antidote to the historical amnesia that afflicts so many in public life. A Russert "Meet the Press" interview also boasted a welcome level of civility that was at odds with the red-meat rants that have too often become the norm on cable television.

Washington may be the smallest place on the globe with pretensions to being the center of the universe. That is why there are ties that cross party and profession that link so many Washingtonians, based on career arcs, shared friendships, neighborhoods, children's soccer games and the vagaries of life in a confined geographic area. These personal bonds, combined with the emotional intimacy of a TV screen, helps explain the devastating sense of loss that surrounds Friday's death. In a political world filled with spin and sin, hypocrisy and deceit, ego and entitlement, Tim Russert was one of the good guys. For months and maybe years, it will be hard -- so hard -- to adjust to Sunday morning coming down.

http://www.salon.com/news/feature/2008/06/14/russert/

[ananda]

1. totally disagree

Tim Russert was NOT one of the good guys.

He was part of the corporate media, a rightwing
shill.

There is absolutely no question about that.

[Name removed]

2. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[Bluerthanblue]

3. can I ask you

to name any prominent media person who you consider to be "one of the good guys"?

[lib2DaBone]

6. Geraldo Rivera......

who labels anyone who disagrees with George Bush an "Anarchist".

[Bluerthanblue]

8. sorry, I replied to you below-

instead of here, by mistake.

[Bucky]

4. Ironically, that's kinda what the article was saying. He believed in the Beltway

He was a nice guy who didn't make a difference because he believed in the "long term wisdom" of Washington elites. This is how the Broders and Woodwards and Russerts of the world gain their position. Stay friendly with the status quo and only bash the boat rockers.

Remember how vicious they were against the Clintons? The bad news is that they're all perfectly in love with Obama. Obama, I suspect, isn't going to rock many boats once he's in.

[Bluerthanblue]

7. are you really meaning to

say you believe that Rivera is a 'good guy'? That he is willing to scrifice his job, his security,- everything - to do the right thing?

Can you show me when he's done this?

thanks

peace~

[ProSense]

5. One of Russert's best interviews

Transcript for Sept. 10: Dick Cheney

Count how many lies Cheney told in that one.