Remembering Tim Russert, TV's Political Enthusiast

The sudden and shocking death on Friday at 58 of Tim Russert, NBC's Washington bureau chief and since 1991 the famously tenacious moderator of Sunday morning's iconic Meet the Press, leaves a tremendous void in TV's political landscape during one of the most historic presidential contests ever. Few figures have loomed as large during political seasons in the modern TV era as Russert, with his brash and infectious enthusiasm for politics, his dogged interrogation techniques and, as NBC anchor Brian Williams noted affectionately (from Afghanistan, where he's on assignment), his "aggressively unfancy" manner.

TV Guide once selected Russert's use of a white eraser board on 2000's historic and inconclusive presidential election night, brandishing the words "Florida Florida Florida" in a low-tech display of uncanny foresight, as one of the "100 Most Memorable TV Moments" in TV history. Time Magazine recently named him one of the 100 most influential people in the world.

Tom Brokaw, remembering his friend and longtime partner on MSNBC Friday afternoon, was visibly and understandably moved as he told viewers, "We cannot believe that he's gone, that we've lost his voice, and that this country has lost this premiere political journalist and analyst- a man who had such passion for politics, in part because he believed that politics really are the DNA of this country, they define who we are at any given time."

In the most fabled journalistic tradition, Russert died with his metaphorical boots on, at work, collapsing in the Washington bureau as he was recording voice-overs for this Sunday's edition of Meet the Press. He was nearly ubiquitous on NBC's news channels, happy to devour and analyze every detail of every breaking political story from morning to night. He was renowned for his extensive preparation and research for each Meet the Press encounter. Williams, noting that Russert's dedication to the job and to his family meant he eschewed most of Washington, D.C.'s busy social life, said, "People knew not to ask this guy out on Saturday nights."

Unpretentious and unrestrained in his zeal for democracy, an Irish bulldog who dug for the truth in every candid interview, Russert was one of those broadcasters who so loved what he did that it was impossible not to succumb to the force of his personality. The rest of this year's race to the White House just won't feel the same without him.

Use our Online Video Guide to remember Russert's fine work.

More on Russert:
" Brokaw to Tribute Russert on June 15 Meet the Press
" TV Guide's Last Interview with Tim Russert
" Meet the Press' Tim Russert Dead at 58