I’ve been wanting to post this for a long time, but have been knee deep in other projects lately (sorry for the lack of updates!)

I can’t say I’ve watched “Meet the Press” a lot, or that I really keep up with politics. I don’t know all the big names, know where all our politicians stand on all issues or watch news stations all the time. But I knew Tim Russert. As someone who had pledged almost a decade ago that I would vote to make a difference, Tim became a beacon of light that made politics interesting. Seeing his face, you knew that this guy was real. He didn’t have evil ulterior motives and unlike many of the politicians that he had interacted with, he told the truth. He was constantly trying to make politicians accountable for what they have said without attacking.

It’s interesting that his death has hit me so hard. I’m not sure why. Maybe it’s because it’s an election year, and Tim made the whole process understandable. Maybe it’s because he seemed like such a genuine person, even though you knew he was someone of great intelligence, it never seemed like he was talking down to us.

Now I wish I knew more about him. I’ve been watching all of the special reports and the tributes. Behind the man we saw on TV was a deeply religious man, a man who appreciated where he came from, who always let his family know how he felt about them, who lived an incredible life. Today, I’m watching the memorial (and it’s INCREDIBLE annoying that the sound keeps on cutting out on MSNBC) and it’s beautiful and heartbreaking at the same time. It’s obvious that all who knew him were affected by him, and are deeply saddened to lose a colleague and friend. He was a great man that had died too young. But behind him he has left a wonderful legacy - he has set the bar for interviewing, for our politicians to be prepared and be held accountable for their words and promises, and a beautiful, loving wife and a son that reflects so many of his qualities.

Rest in Peace, Tim. No one will ever be able to take your place.

Tags: Memories //