Woodtick Olbermann goes on the air luring rabid haters to MSNBC for his hatefest, then the network looses the only person holding the entire network together.

Karma.

Woodtick Olbermann goes on the air luring rabid haters to MSNBC for his hatefest, then the network looses the only person holding the entire network together.

Karma.

Having experienced death and loss of family/friends at young ages, I understand the grief and impact this is causing his family. My heart and sympathy goes out to all of the family and friends who mourn the emptiness his death has brought. The only comfort to be had is that this was obviously a loving and decent human being who had great impact on those who were personally touched by him. To me in the end that is the greatest tribute to oneself that anyone can achieve.

Woodtick Olbermann goes on the air luring rabid haters to MSNBC for his hatefest, then the network looses the only person holding the entire network together.

Karma.

But his favorite time waster on his show was to ask a question and then play the “but this is what you said ten years ago” game.

Tim: “Senator McCollum, you just indicated a willingness to vote for more oil drilling because of high energy prices……….but Senator Coleman THIS IS YOU JUST 12 YEARS AGO” (plays clip): Senator McCollum: “With low gas prices & over supply I don’t see the need to encourage drilling”.

Tim: “Senator McCollum it seems you are trying to have it both ways, isn’t that the case”.

Senator McCollum: But Tim, I don’t see the point, that clip is twelve years old.

Tim: Of course you wouldn’t see the point Senator, that is the point.

The passing of a friend is a great loss because they are so hard to come by. Your most revealing comment to me was “[h]e was always as nice to every camera man as he was to every president he met in his career.” That is the true measure of greatness.

“To become truly great, one has to stand with people, not above them.”
—Charles de Montesquieu

Condolences to all affected and diminished by his passing.

I had watched far more of his past coverage this year and others of the Presidential campaigns than his regular Meet The Press program, but I will miss seeing him terribly. The campaign coverage for the rest of the year will simply not be the same without him. I’ll be going back to the TV to watch Keith Olbermann’s interviews with his friends and colleagues.

In truth, I thought Tim looked bad this weekend, but he had just gotten back from the trip with his family. As tired as he appeared, he was still funny and happy — as he was unfailingly. Indeed, this election will simply feel empty without that reasoned voice and keen eye.

Thanks for the notes everyone.

JT

On a personal note, I would like to add, that while I had been really ‘on it’ with Tim of late over his Election ’08 coverage and of
Clinton v. Obama, in particular, I fully expected he would be here, with us, to witness the upcoming events in our nation’s history, to be sure.

I’m sorry he won’t be here to share those, and his comments, with us.

On an even more personal note, the last time I saw Tim, meaning last week on 60 Minutes,besides being overweight, he looked ‘puffy’, and tired, as though he was retaining fluid and was not rested, which is not uncommon for someone with heart disease, kidney disease,and/or sleep apnea. How did he look to you, JT?

His job, though infinitely exciting and interesting was very stressful, and I can only trust how wonderful it must have been for the Russert’s to have had the chance to go to Italy, as a family,
in celebration of Luke’s graduation from BC just recently.

Perfect timing.

In a time when lying became increasingly fashionable, to the point of politicizing crime, Russert was one of the voices of reason you’d turn to for a semblance clear analysis — a political/logical ‘inertial frame of reference’ so to speak; much like John Dean, Jonathan Turley (to name a few) & even Keith Olberman (albeit on a more visceral level).

Seems the greatest shocks and sorrows are felt when the earnest and good hearted die early & suddenly.

Maybe St. Peter will retain Russert’s services as an attorney to keep the likes of Scalia out.

Seems like all this life is just a dream.

RIP Tim.