They Should Cancel the Election

As far as I'm concerned, they should cancel the November election.

That's because Tim Russert, NBC News Washington Bureau Chief and moderator of Meet the Press, died today of a coronary embolism.

When we heard the news, Debra said that she felt like she could trust anything Russert said.

At my house we have come to rely on MSNBC for our political news. So far as we are concerned, you can't beat the team of Chris Matthews, Keith Olbermann, Joe Scarborough, Andrea Mitchell, and especially Tim Russert.

Russert had been with NBC News since 1984.

When push came to shove and I wanted to know where things really stood in American politics, I listened for what Tim Russert was going to say.

Russert clearly loved what he was doing. His love for America and for our political system was obvious. His command of the facts and issues was always impressive.

On his white board in 2000 he wrote "Florida Florida Florida." In 2004 he wrote "Ohio Ohio Ohio." I wonder what state he would have written on it here in 2008?

He came from a working class family in Buffalo, New York. An attorney by training and a journalist by profession, Russert loved and honored his father "Big Russ," who drove a garbage truck by day and delivered papers by night. His colleagues testify to his love for his wife Maureen and son Luke.

Russert loved the Buffalo Bills. Tom Brokaw told of how when the Bills were about to play the Dallas Cowboys in the Super Bowl, Russert said that the Bills would win if there was a God in heaven. The Cowboys won. Brokaw said to Russert, "Well, today we learned that God is a Baptist." Russert was a Roman Catholic.

He also loved baseball passionately. He was a Washington Nationals season ticket holder.

He seemed like, and every testimony that you hear about him verifies that he was, a very nice guy.

Tim Russert was 58.

Here's to you, Mr. Russert. God bless you and your family.