June 13 at 5:31PM
BREAKING: New York Times Reports Tim Russert Has Died of a Heart Attack
Update: From Huffington Post…
Russert suffered a massive heart attack and collapsed Friday afternoon in NBC's Washington bureau, according to the New York Post
Russert was in the tracking booth, recording a track, when he collapsed. He returned from Italy Thursday night. His wife, Maureen Orth, and son Luke, are still in Italy.
TVNewser reminds us that "Around 1pmET this afternoon, Russert was conducting a political Q&A on MSNBC.com."
The New York Times currently has a breaking news banner claiming that Tim Russert has died of a heart attack.
Our thoughts and prayers are with his family and colleagues. We will update as we receive information.
Below the fold, watch some of Jon Stewart's interviews of Tim Russert from happier times.
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Jon, thank you for coming out to do the show in Wallingford on Friday evening. It must have been difficult, given the news about Russert. Beyond what he accomplished and was professionally, he seemed like a man of integrity and values and he always has a friendly, approachable style that made me feel like he was sitting talking to me in my living room. It's a great loss to his followers and an even greater loss to his family, especially his father and family. It was the first thing I thought of when I heard the news. He sort of wore his heart and beliefs out on his sleeve; he was authentic, which is so rare these days.
We have been watching you and following your careers since the early days, and we have enjoyed you all along and are especially pleased with your success and groundedness.
Best regards, Carol
One of the fairest journalists out there. This election season and politics in general just won't be the same without Tim.
RIP Tim Russert, you will be deeply missed ='(
Honestly, what a great guy. Very easy to be glib about things, but he comes across as such a genuine bloke with a great love for his family and friends and yet still able to challenge politicians and powerful people. A few of the elites will be sleeping easier with one of the good guys not around anymore.
What a loss, this election will not be the same without his knowledge. I feel like we have lost a family member.
Incredible how much I miss him already.
Take Tim
Go get them now in heaven!
Mr. Russert, you have the thanks and respect of this nation. Well done sir. Rest in peace. You will not be forgotten.
No time now to point out all the times he acted as a stenographer, but the best gift he or chris Matthews could have given us was, "Why did we let these guys off the hook so many times, when they ducked our questions? why didn't we follow up on equivocations? Why did we have so little backbone?"
Was it important enough to keep the guys coming back on the show that you would fail in the chief mission of the press? to keep the politicians honest? or at least keep their feet to the fire?
But thank you, Tim for those great books. I'm giving them to all my grown sons, who are excellent fathers, but could always be better from someone who is tops.
Russert was consistency and integrity in a time political BS. He resonated with every American every Sunday on his quest for the truth and the best. I am 26 but I can't remember a Sunday morning when I didn't watch Meet The Press. Tim was such a joy and national treasure. As Sunday lurks upon us I will have to find another way to find passion, honesty, substance and intelligence on Sunday morning. Tim my prayers go to your family but I guess you were needed to moderate a celestial nail biter. My family will truly miss you god bless you
Our prayers are with Mr. Russert's family and all of his news family – what a loss for us all. Mr. Russert always presented professionally, prepared, and cared deeply for all mankind. He will be greatly missed! No one will ever replace him in my lifetime!
Tim Russert was truly a pleasure to watch. His style, demeanor and personality made him a true talent in todays world of raving, inane talking heads on supposed news channels who dare to call themselves journalists and newsmen. Mr Russert was a part of a dying breed of true newspeople. With the way politics, our government, and the world in general has been getting increasingly crazy and disjointed, we have lost one of the sane ones. My respects and true feelings of appreciation go out to the Russert family and all the people who respected and loved him.
Tim Russert was one of my absolute favorite political commentators and my top debate moderator, bar none. He was always respectful but never pandered to people he interviewed, and held them accountable for what they said or did.
More reporters and journalists need to follow in his stead. If they did, the tone of the media would change, and much for the better. God bless him and his family.