Russert Lost
Whether on Meet the Press, his weekly interview program on MSNBC, NBC's The Today Show or Hardball, Russert was the quintessential journalist and always got to the bottom of a story. He asked questions that commonly prompted answers at the top of the collective public mind.
His reminiscences put South Buffalo, Canisius High School and his father on the map when he wrote the compelling memoir, Big Russ and Me. He has since published a compilation of letters, Wisdom of Our Fathers.
In an announcement made on NBC today, Tom Brokaw remembered Russert as a man "who stayed true to his blue-collar Buffalo roots." Perhaps that's why it was always a celebration when Russert returned to Buffalo to speak at an event or attend a function. Buffalo will miss Tim Russert.
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Comment Options
estreet
It would only be fitting for the Buffalo Bills to honor Tim Russert's memory by wearing a patch on their uniform this season.
Tim Russert cheered on not only the Bills, but all of Buffalo and will never be forgotten as Buffalo's greatest ambassador.
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TownLine
Really sad. Who didn't love this guy?
Go Bills!
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atypical
Sad, sad day. My heart goes out to his family.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2PlWZDZboQw&feature=related
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kooksapalooza
http://youtube.com/watch?v=5c02HhcbQRE
A great man pays tribute to our city....his city
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RaChaCha
I heard this news break on NPR and nearly fell over. I believe I've heard that Tim's father - the subject of his book Big Russ - is still living in the Buffalo area--? I have such sympathy for the family - imagine the shock.
A friend of mine here was a big wheel in statewide Republican politics decades ago, and tangled with Tim when Tim was a campaign operative - so I've heard some delightful stories which for me helped flesh out the TV personality and understand why he always seemed to be so good at cutting to the chase with politicians, and interpreting political campaigns with such great insight. All of us will be the less for not having his coverage of this year's momentous election.
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Bishop
I am sitting in O'Hare International awaiting a flight to Buffalo (4 hours delayed of course) and Buffalonians are gathered around the television covering this tragic loss, in awe.
Go Bills!
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marcia2
Very sad news. Tim Russert was one of the best T.V. Journalist in the business, and without a doubt the greatest "Buffalo Ambassador" around. The city should name a street in Buffalo after him. My prayers go out to his family.....
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estreet
On behalf of the residents of Buffalo, New York, I express our shared sadness and shock at the news of Tim Russert's death. An accomplished journalist, who first gained his experience in the world of government and politics, Tim Russert rose to become the premier political journalist of his generation.
But more than his professional accomplishments, Tim Russert cherished his family, friends and his hometown. He never forgot his roots in South Buffalo and he often reminded his television audience and guests of his strong affection for Buffalo, particularly his beloved Buffalo Bills. He was truly our city's greatest ambassador and he was loved by everyone in Buffalo and Western New York.
My thoughts and prayers are with his family. Tim Russert will always be remembered for his passion, hard work, honesty and dedication to his family.
To honor Tim Russert's memory, I have ordered that all flags on city property be lowered immediately to half-staff. BUFFALO MAYOR BYRON W. BROWN
http://firstread.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2008/06/13/1140494.aspx
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sonyactivision
I'm stunned.
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al-alo
in Mr. Russert's honor, a proposal:
the first presidential debate of this campaign season should be sponsored by NBC and held in South Buffalo or Canisius HS
Go Bills
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al-alo
from his alma mater:
http://www.canisiushigh.org/news.cfm?story=195
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CBSbaby
Inestimable loss to Buff and network broadcasting...so young... my news link to the world. Comparable only to WBEN/WIVB's Jack Ogilvie years ago post-blizzard of '77 at age of 57. My heart goes out to Little Russ's family and the Queen City.
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PaulBuffalo
I hope that Buffalo can establish a suitable memorial to this man that, I think, represented the best of the City of Buffalo. I valued his political insight. There are too few strong journalistic voices and I will miss him.
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comptart_lws
What a day for teary eyes. First the livery demo, now this. what a day. Deepest sympathy to the Russert family and Russert fans everywhere. THIS is a guy who really deserves a street or a park (or a ball field?) named in his honor. Like said above: how could anyone not like this guy.
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becker
This is truly a tragedy for the entire nation. Tim Russert was the type of person that we should all aspire to be. A true professional, a gentleman, intelligent, articulate, caring, compassionate, and honest. A man who always remained true to himself, his family, and his convictions. It isn't often that I feel loss for a stranger, but to me he never felt like a stranger, he felt like a good friend or family, and you just don't see people like that in entertainment anymore.
Sad!
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GEMonster
God bless Tim Russert and his family. He left the world a better place and he definitely left this corner of the world a brighter place to be. One less star shining bright in this sky tonight. He'll be missed.
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sb16
comptart_lws: He already has a park in Indian Church named after him, that just shows how special he was. Usually those things are left for when people pass on. He was inspirational to me as a broadcast journalist, and son.
If you haven't already, check out 'Big Russ and Me'.
sad day indeed.
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benfranklin
At 9:00 AM every Sunday I joined millions of Americans as we all shared an hour with Mr. Russert. At the end of the hour, I imagine that most left with the impression, 'that guy always know's his stuff', but only we could say he was our city's son.
While this is a loss for our community, we should be proud of his accomplishments as a journalist, booster of Buffalo, and most importantly, as a father. God Bless his family.
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WCPerspective
He represented Buffalo well- someone all of WNY was rightfully proud of. A South Buffalo guy that made it big but never lost his love for hometown and roots. Most of America might roll their eyes hearing the TV talking heads say "Buffalo and the love for his family made Tim Russert who he was"- but all of us Buffalonians know exactly what that means. He'll be missed.
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WCPerspective
2100 comments and counting on the NYTimes website.
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parkstreetwoman
Mr. Russert , in addition to being a fan of Buffalo's sports teams, was a supporter of Buffalo's cultural institutions: "As a young buy, I grew up just ten blocks from the Botanical Gardens. I always loved visitng the Gardens on Easter Sunday with my family. I can still remember the vivid colors of the flowers and the sweet fragrances that surrounded me as I passed through the glass doors. The Gardens were, and continue to be, an important part of Buffalo's proud history. It is critical that we support the Gardens and ensure that it is here for generations to come." Thanks, Tim.
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hashma
I was listening to my Toronto radio station when they broke the news and I nearly fell over (I was driving mind you). What a lose to the political world, to Buffalo, to the country. I do have one idea though for a memorial---why not rename the airport the Tim Russert International Airport---I mean i think it would be the right idea and he would be remembered every time one flies in and out.
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heathersmiles
Dateline NBC did a great story on Tim Russert that depicted Buffalo in a great light. I wish that all Buffalonians were as down to earth, hard working, honest, and funny as Tim was. He always seemed to be happy and focused on the positive but still skeptical!! What a great, great, man!
I feel really bad for his father. It is a tragedy that his son died at such a young age and that he outlived the son who idolized him so. I haven't been this sad in a long time, a true tragedy for Buffalo.
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davvid
This is unbelievable. Very sad.
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STEEL
Tim Russert was Buffalo.
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AtwaterLouse
hashma's idea is very good, to name the airport after Tim Russert. Quite a few cities have airports named after a person. That would be a very appropriate tribute.
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AtwaterLouse
Besides the two in NYC, there's Cleveland, Atlanta, Chicago, Houston, St Louis, Boston, New Orleans, Las Vegas, Washington, Anchorage, Oklahoma City, Milwaukee
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davvid
I third hashma's idea. Lets make it happen.
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artichoke
A massive loss to the world of journalism, as well as for the city. He was a fantastic ambassador to the city.
My thoughts go out to his family, and to my city.
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comptart_lws
hashma's idea about re-naming the airport is a great one. is that a councilman thing? (Tim would know)
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Bflogal
Such sad news. Tim was one of our area's best ambassadors. He will be truly missed. He is on the Convention & Visitors Bueau's website(podcast) speaking about all the wonderful things in the area. I'm just so saddened, he was one person who never ever seemed angry at anything...he always had a smile on his face.
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marcia2
No one loved the city of Buffalo more than Tim Russert....I agree with the previous commentors that the city should name the Airport after him.
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MickRegan
Dunn Tire Park should be named “Russert Field” in Honor of this Great Man
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BuffedOut
Although his death was sad and shocking, let's not go overboard with the naming ideas. Don't forget he did move away from Buffalo and stayed away. He had to leave to make his career and fortune.
I'm upset about the media's portrayl of Buffalo as "blue coller". How many times has that phrase been used over and over during the coverage of Russert's death?
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sb16
Buffedout: He's the son of a G-Man not exactly white collar roots. He also didn't exactly stay away like you say, he's been back to Buffalo probably more than any other person who ever left. His family still lives here humbly. Buffalo might not be as Blue Collar anymore but HIS ROOTS sure as heck are, thats what i kept hearing.
I'd rather someone leave and make us proud of our area than people stay and embarrass us. Certain careers are just not possible in Buffalo, Journalism to that level is one of them. One newspaper and local bleeds-it-leads newscasts do not allow for his and many others full potential.
I'd honestly back it if they renamed Ralph Wilson Stadium after him, but I know that won't happen.
He is one of the very few that has earned the pedestal we put on him and we should take pride in that and never forget him.
I've been a big fan of him since I went to broadcasting school and am deeply hurt by the loss as if I knew him from his books and many parallels we shared, growing up in SoBo and sharing many of the same values.
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Auburner
Murrow, Cronkite, Osgood and Russert. Each were honest men. Each told the truth. I only knew two of them and certainly wish I had the chance to know all of them. I am sad for Buffalo, sad for the Russert family. I can only hope that journalism is better off with Mr Russert's devotion and integrity. God, please, bless this man!!!
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Auburner
Murrow, Cronkite, Osgood and Russert. Each were honest men. Each told the truth. I only knew two of them and certainly wish I had the chance to know all of them. I am sad for Buffalo, sad for the Russert family. I can only hope that journalism is better off with Mr Russert's devotion and integrity. God, please, bless this man!!!
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basenjiwarrior
Hello.
Please sign this petitition to honor Tim Russert's memory by having his name added to The Buffalo Bills Wall of Fame.
http://www.petitiononline.com/basenji/petition.html
Also. please pass it on to others who might be interested in seeing him honored.
Thank you for your consideration.
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estreet
BRUCE SPRINGSTEEN OFFERS TRIBUTE TO TIM RUSSERT IN CARDIFF
From the stage at Cardiff Millennium Dome Stadium: Saturday June 14.
Introduction before "Thunder Road"
"I'd like to do this tonight for a long time friend of the E Street Band who passed away suddenly.
"Tim Russert was an important unreplacable voice in American journalism. I watched him hold our politicians feet to the fire on many Sunday mornings. He was always a strong voice for honesty and accountability in American government .. but beyond that he was a lovely presence, a good father, husband, and good guy. He was a regular at many E Street Band shows and I'm going to miss looking down and seeing that big smiling face in the crowd.
"We send this out all the way back to the states tonight for his son Luke, his wife Maureen, his dad Big Russ , and all the Russert family.
"Tim , God Bless You, We will miss you..."
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orlanmon
Champion of WNY and Buffalo.. he will be sorely missed.
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stephenjames716
you will be missed tim. thank you for all the good things you did for our city.
the bills will win the superbowl in 2008 for you buddy!
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fredrico
A fabulous ambassador for our city and one of the finiest human beings in the world. Such a huge loss for all of us. No one will ever fill his shoes.
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needles
What a terrible loss for journalism, Buffalo, and most importantly his family. My prayers are with you.
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rb66
Very sad. The world lost a great man and Buffalo lost it's #1 ambassador.
Family first and Go Bills!
Buffalo will miss you. :[
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MilesIgantius
We've lost a man who was a tireless advocate for our community and who represented the best of the soul and spirit which this community represents. May that spirit live on in all of us. Bless you, Tim.
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critt
Man...this has been tough for me. It's odd, I never knew him or met him r anything like that. I only watched Meet the Press here and there...but when I did see him analyzing politics or commenting on something, he was so passionate about his job. He truly loved it, knew it, and man was he an ambassador to Buffalo. I can really feel the loss and i really feel for his family.
Mortality both for myself and for my loved ones have been brought to the forefront for me...in this surreality of here today gone 2morrow...
Peace Tim...and thanx
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