I thought he was about as middle-of-the-road as you can get for a news anchor these days. What is sad is how few other journalists currently occupy that sphere of broad influence on both sides.
I'm not sure about his "influence" but I'm afraid that his legacy will be now forever determined by his humiliating testimony during Scooter Libby's trial, in which he revealed himself to be a total toady for the Bush administration. He came to represent, whether fairly or not, that subset of political journalists ("the Village") that is completely in thrall to the established political elite, regardless of party affiliation. I don't know if he ever would have been able to redeem himself, but it's sad that he didn't live long enough to have a chance.
Ann, well said. I have liberal friends who despised Russert. But it's not like he was an empty blowhard like Hannity or O'Reilly. He was a real journalist, albeit a flawed one. He overly awed by political bigwigs (I call it the Judith Miller syndrome).
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It is sad. But "towering figure of journalism"?
Sorry, no.
Agreed. I suspect that shock and empathy for his friends and family are at play.
I thought he was about as middle-of-the-road as you can get for a news anchor these days.
What is sad is how few other journalists currently occupy that sphere of broad influence on both sides.
I'm not sure about his "influence" but I'm afraid that his legacy will be now forever determined by his humiliating testimony during Scooter Libby's trial, in which he revealed himself to be a total toady for the Bush administration. He came to represent, whether fairly or not, that subset of political journalists ("the Village") that is completely in thrall to the established political elite, regardless of party affiliation. I don't know if he ever would have been able to redeem himself, but it's sad that he didn't live long enough to have a chance.
Ann, well said. I have liberal friends who despised Russert. But it's not like he was an empty blowhard like Hannity or O'Reilly. He was a real journalist, albeit a flawed one. He overly awed by political bigwigs (I call it the Judith Miller syndrome).
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