Friday, 06.13.08
Goodbye to the Master
Photo by Matt May/Getty Images for Meet the Press
Journalism as Sadism
11 November 2007
Matthew Yglesias opines on Russert's unique interviewing style.
Tim Russert Remembered
13 June 2008
Marc Ambinder comments on the influence of Russert's voice in the Washington scene.
With Russert's passing, the country loses one of its most influential journalists -- host of Meet The Press, debate moderator, and trend-setter. He was a model for other, lesser hosts. Russert's signature innovation was to ditch the staid, respectful interviewing method implicit in a title like Meet The Press (as if the program were a social brunch) in favor of a more aggressive, at times bullying, in-your-face style. With the shift in approach came a change in style -- away from the classic television personality's search for patrician authority in favor of a newfound quest for working class authenticity.
The fruits of Russertism are not always sweet. I've written critically of how Russert's bloodsport approach tends to obscure rather than illuminate the policy issues at stake in elections. The blue-collar persona was, in many respects, a bizarre posture for a multi-millionaire television celebrity, and in actual policy substance he was invariably more outraged by the prospect of a long-run Social Security deficit than, say, burgeoning income inequality in the United States.
Still, anyone working professionally in the political journalism game needs to respect Russert's achievements. He transformed the industry because, on some level, he made political coverage on television work, and created models that have kept political TV relevant in the 21st century. He consistently beat his Sunday Morning show rivals in the ratings.
Dostoevsky said that all Russian authors came out from Gogol's overcoat, and clearly legions of cable news hosts have come out from under Russert's. Whatever limitations there are to his approach, it's unlikely his successor will improve upon them. Rather, we'll probably get more of what much of television news already is -- broadcasting a la Russert, but without the full measure of skill and commitment of the master himself.
The early yearsSewell Chan recalls Russert's pre-journalism career in New York state politics. |
How-ToIn 2003, Slate's Jack Shafer laid out a guide on going head-to-head with Tim Russert. |
Questions from the crowdIn a February issue of Time, Russert responded to questions from the magazine's readers. |
Close to homeThe Buffalo News reacts to the death of its loyal native son. |
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HE�S GONE TO MEET THE PRESS
Sadly, we have lost another one
Those folks who changed our lives
He was the one, who we all knew
From, Sunday morning, news archives.
He was one of those special men
Who, all Dads should strive to be
And a Son, who loved his Dad
The most important, his Family.
He never forgot his hometown
And the Bills, number one fan
He�d have a beer with the boys
Just, one of them, a common Man.
He gone up to that Press Corps
To join all those passed before
He left a mark here on this Earth
That, will surely last forevermore.
I heard, "He walked with the Kings
But kept, the common touch."
And we all are going to miss that
Yes, he will be missed, very much.
Del "Abe" Jones
06.15.2008
abeabe@att.net
to thine own self be true we will truly miss you mr russert for your honesty, integrity and even handedness with friend and foe. For they knew that there were no free passes or softball questions when they ventured on your show. Though you had opinions you let the interview person sink or swim on their own merits. you never forgot that you came from a working class town of buffalo new york and never tried to be something that you weren't. you were a light in a world content to stay in darkness and parrot messages from both sides of the spectrum instead doing research. you made watching and discussing the next day your show important.
Tim Russert did his homework, groveled before no one, and yet there was no meanness in him. He obviously enjoyed his job and his family immensely. He was disciplined and had character, two pillars sorely lacking in modern life. His great success seems unreachable to us, but he would question this. For why should we wonder at the good fortune that results from a life of character and discipline, no matter how common the man and his origins? There is no mystery here, only a sense of loss--we seem adrift with his presence gone. Tim's values, however, are always open to us--just ask anyone with whom he shared them.
I do not know Yglesis and am not familar with his work but his negative comments stand along when I hear people speak of Tim Russert. Both his personal and professional life exude with faith love conifence and enthusiasm. Curious as to your negativism in a time of sorrow and loss You should retink some of your comments, in my opinion.
I stopped watching that fatuous twit years ago. Miss him? only like a bad case of poison ivy. Oh yeah-- I wonder who Cheney will turn to now to get his message out.
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Although Tim Russert's death was shocking the past few months often he looked pale, his eyes were red, swollen and had lost their luster; he did not look healthy. His aura was off-colour. I assumed either he was very tired or suffering from allergies or both.
I felt Russert was too harshly criticized for what many critics called "gotcha" questions. Yes they can be defined as "gotcha" moments, but more importantly he called people to task for things they said. While tough in most instances, Russert offered the person the opportunity to clarify what he or she meant and/or a chance to admit he or she made a mistake or whatever the case may have been. Although left to their own devices to separate fact from fiction and rumours from false assumptions, by the end of his show Russert's audience was generally more equipped to do so.
I did take issue on many occasions when Russert deferred to Bush and his administration officials [Cheney, Rumsfeld, etc.], allowed non-answers, failed to ask tough follow-up questions and let it go at that.
Despite having been asked and answered, frequently Tim would repeat questions ad naseum if he personally had doubts about something the person said. It was clear Russert wanted to lead his audience to that same conclusion. If he had additional information it should have been disclosed otherwise he overstepped his position as a journalist. IMHO
For a man who wielded a lot of power and at various times took liberty, no doubt Russert had his faults. Nevertheless I respected him. He was a giant in his field.
Tim Russert will be missed.
My condolences to his family.
Posted by serena1313 | June 16, 2008 2:31 AM