FAREWELL TIM...

I'm sure, unless you've had your head in the ground for several days, that you've heard about the sudden death of NBC political commentator and world renowned journalist Tim Russert. As I flipped on Headline News to see the events unfolding, I stood in front of the TV with my mouth agape. Russert had the desire to study and report "the effect of tragedy on the human spirit" and I can't think of anything more ironic than the effect his death has on a nation.

Russert first captured me in the long, drawn out drama of the 2000 presidential election...I was never brainy enough (or awake) to catch "Meet The Press." He was so excitable during that election coverage, it made the hours upon hours of coverage seem like minutes. He had that stupid little dry erase board. After that, he started showing up on panels during evening news programs and special Washington D.C. coverage.He just had that face and charisma that could capture everyone from the pundits to the grease monkeys. I guess that's why it was no surprise to me when I found out during all the drama after his death that he was a huge fan of Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band. Raised in NY, son of a laborer, paid his dues for a number of years...it's enchanting to see someone you admire drawn to the same things you are. It makes you wonder if the two of you would be friends. That also brings up a point that I always remember from the movie "High Fidelity." Cusack, at one point in the movie, expounds on the fact that "What really matters is what you like, not what you're like." This is a great point, people don't care about your personality anymore, they care about what you're into. It's like a fear of being "in the dark." This made me think of a conversation I had with Chris Wall about "The Last Waltz" by The Band. That movie (The Last Waltz) is like a secret society...if someone knows you've seen it you gain instant credibility. If you haven't seen it, you're in the dark and people just shut down about anything cool in your presence. If you've seen it 10 times and quote it from memory, they make you their leader (I know this, I've watched it a triple digit amount of times...maybe quadruple). I bet you all the money in the world that Tim Russert had seen "The Last Waltz."

So, we come full circle.

In a world where, these days, very few journalists are driven by a quest for truth, honor and integrity, Russert perfected that balance and managed to charm a world in the meantime. For someone like me who doesn't want to be preached to from a political pedestal, yet wants to understand all sides of the issues, Russert was my guy. I'll miss his wry humor, boyish enthusiasm and quality reporting. He helped shape the last 15 years of a nation's culture and, while others push agendas and become notorious for outlandish reporting, he did it the right way. Farewell Tim.