CNN Breaking News

Tim Russert of NBC News has died at the age of 58, the network says.

Comments

[Angrier and Angrier]

Truly sad. He was one of the few good broadcast journalists left. He will be missed.

[CORNHUSKERS 94 95 & 97]

Truly one of the greats. Tim Russert enjoyed politics and it was a pleasure to listen to him speak on the broad ranging topics that make up our democracy. He was especially poetic the night Hillary dropped out and it was time to turn our attention to the general election and the possibilities that an African American might actually be elected President of the United States.

[b. Minich]

Wow. Not expected at ALL. I've always liked Russert.

Who hosts Meet the Press now? And who is going to entertain me with his whiteboard scribbling and slightly deranged look during election night coverage? The first Tuesday following the first Monday in November is never going to be the same.

Good call, b. Minich. That crazed-type look was almost infectious. His enthusiasm made otherwise boring topics interesting.

[BK]

And R. Kelly acquitted. How's that for Friday the 13th?

[Sandy Underpants]

Totally shocked. Totally sad, and what makes it worse is that this is Russert's primetime-- General Election season.

As for R. Kelly, what else do jurors need? It's on videotape and one of the people that was present ID'd R. Kelly and testified that he tried to pay them off not to testify.

[David K.]

Wow, didn't see that one coming.

[anonamom]

Huge loss--as they just said on Fox---"He set the table for the week." And he did--he laid out the issues, week after week.

I'm thinking he may have had a huge pulmonary embolism---his complaint was of not being able to breathe, per Fox. He's just had a long plane ride back from Italy, where his son and wife were still vacationing.

[copndor]

Is it wrong to chuckle that Fox News has to spend a day reporting on NBC?

[Joe Loy]

In addition to being Buffalo's ambassador to the World :}, he was a giant of Genuine journalism, and a famously Kind & transparently Joyful man to boot. Irreplaceable. Requiescat in Pace, Timothy J. Russert, Canisius H.S. '68.

[JO]

While never really a fan, I have to admit the guy sure did like his job and did it with enthusiasm week after week. It won't be Sunday mornings without him.

As for R. Kelly, what else do jurors need? It's on videotape and one of the people that was present ID'd R. Kelly and testified that he tried to pay them off not to testify

I guess you missed the fact that you really can't make out who the chick on the tape is, and the alleged victim testified it wasn't her. I agree though, it's a shame that black defendents just get railroaded into a guilty .... er wait, that's not right.

[Mad Max, Esquire]

According to Russert's doctor, he had major heart disease. The doctor says there really wasn't anything anyone could do to save him. Apparently he knew his days were numbered. Bummer.

[Sandy Underpants]

I'm glad Kelly was acquitted, but neither the girl nor her parents denied it was her in court as they did not take the stand, and that fact was not introduced. Furthermore, one juror that was interviewed after court said he had no doubt it was Kelly on the videotape.

Is "She doesn't look 13" really a valid defense? I've seen 18 year olds that look 13, and 13 year olds that look 20. The girl's own extended family members ID'd her from the video. However, he was accused of and charged with 14 counts related to Child Porn, so does this now mean it's legal for me and anyone else to have a copy of this video tape?

I just really think a celebrity can do just about anything, no wonder Nick Hogan took it up the butt when he pleaded "No contest" (or guilty). He should've just said it wasn't him and he would've got off too.

[Mad Max, Esquire]

Drudge posts Russert "Dies from a Big Heart." I thought Drudge was trying to compete with the NY Post and the NY Daily News, until I saw that their headlines were infinitely more sensitive than Drudge's. What a douche.

[Mike's brother Matt]

Damn....Now who's going to read poetry for the purposes of irritating both George Will and the entire city of Houston? Joe, I think we have a job for you...
Seriously, though, it's sad to see him go. He did a great job of roasting hacks who changed there opinions every time the wind shifted, and we really, really need that.