Tim Russert Dies At Age 58

NBC's Tim Russert has died at the age of 58.

The AP reports that the cause of Tim Russert's death is not yet known:

The cause of death was not immediately clear. The network said on its Web site that Russert died of a heart attack, but Michael A. Newman, Russert's internist, later said that resuscitation was begun immediately and continued at Sibley Memorial Hospital, to no avail. An autopsy was pending, Newman said.

Watch Tom Brokaw report:

Russert collapsed Friday afternoon in NBC's Washington bureau.

Russert was in the tracking booth, recording a track, when he collapsed. He returned from Italy Thursday night. His wife, Maureen Orth, and son Luke, are still in Italy.

TVNewser reminds us that "Around 1pmET this afternoon, Russert was conducting a political Q&A on MSNBC.com."

TMZ reports on the details of Tim Russert's death:

DC Fire tells us the call came in at 1:41 PM ET. We're told they transported one adult male patient in cardiac arrest to Sibley Hospital where he died.

Developing...

For a summary of Russert's life and career, click here.

Watch and read what media colleagues had to say in remembrance of Tim Russert.

Watch Tom Brokaw report the sad news of Tim Russert's death.

Watch Brian Williams react to the news of Russert's death.

Watch Andrea Mitchell cry remembering Tim Russert.

More:
Tim Russert: Remembering The Proud Father And Loyal Son (SLIDESHOW)

Comments

[H.L. Mencken]

Ennui quickly sets in when it is realized that his and Kennedy's obdurate insistence of a catholic behavior template for the new neophillia Obama politics was the singular reason for Hillary's failure to win the democratic party nomination! He may be St Timothy to some catholic devotees but is viewed as satan incarnate by most females!The catholic church has traditionally attenuated trhe feamale status in all things of substance!

[GravitonX]

Profound sadness.

[hrinla]

I thought Russert was a worthy professional journalist, and according to all reports, a great family man. That said, I find it interesting that in all the reports on the events and reactions to his tragic death, there, there is no mention whatsover of his mother, not even her name, nor his female siblings. Surely they have a reaction and a place in his passing and the mourning. We see nothing but pictures of Big Russ, and the truly admirable presentation/interview of his son Luke on the Today show. Very interesting. Second the thought supporting Andrea Mitchell to succeed him.

[MA4HRC]

Tim Russert was probably the last credible journalist. Now who do we trust?

[Kaos911]

Enough already. He was great, he lead a great life. Let's move on like he did.

[bosd]

What a loss. I know there are honest journalists out there, but on the big stage, Tim was the most visible one. I was never the biggest fan of Sunday morning talk shows, I'll go through my phases, but hwen I did watch them, I would always make sure I would catch Meet the Press. I think one thing hit me after watching his show for about a month, and that was that he was about as impartial as one could get. If you compare him with the other shows on Sunday morning, those other hosts try and be impartial, but you can see their views come through.

As some people have pointed out, he may have seemed soft on some people. At the same time, he did ask fair and cogent questions on a continual basis, whether the guest was a dem or repub. How many people on the sunday morning talk shows can be described that way? How many people in the media can be described as fair and balanced in their reporting and interviewing? Many people claim that they do so, but how many really do so? We lost a true journalist today.

[mivogo]

Tim Russert was the last of a dying breed: an actual reporter. He asked the tough questions, and actually followed up, not letting the person change the subject until it was answered. He was also NOT an ideologue, asking tough questions of both Democrats and Republicans, not looking to fulfill an agenda, but just seeking the truth. He seemed like a good guy, but that is unimportant to me. What is important is he provided a forum where the powerful were held to account, with no "gotcha", Charlie Gibson-style questions. Who can replace him? Chris Matthews? (agenda) David Gregory? (out of his mind). Joe Scarborough? Someone tuning in to Russert could never guess his politics, which was terrific. He may be the last of a dying breed.

[Organotic]

It is unfortunate that some people in here are reflecting on Tim Russert in a negative light. I am probably the only left leaning person in a family overburdened with conservative Republicans. Regardless of our disagreements, all in my family are mourning the death of Tim Russert. He was a fair and tough journalist that did his best not to take any sides in his interviews. A TRUE journalist. I wish that more journalists would be that way, but unfortunately more are concerned with spin and drama for sake of a certain cause than actually getting the facts out to the public and holding public officials accountable for their actions.

I and my family will truely miss you, Tim. God bless you and the wonderful contributions you made to our country as a great journalist and father.

[slope142]

S'long Tim. It was good of you to drop by.

[igiveup]

The fact that Mary Matalan was a guest on the "Meet The Press" tribute to Tim Russert is an abomination.

[ann1]

LOL, I felt the same way not quite an abomination.

[jtmoney]

He was a good, smart man. Peace be with you, Tim.

[HDR]

Worked sometimes 20 hrs a day; described as a workaholic; dropped dead AT work; sometimes would be seen doing the Today show and the Nightly News broadcast on the same day plus his regular duties on MTP. Huh, and no reference to his work schedule as a possible contributor to his early demise.

[Madashell]

Geez, Timmy is gonna be a saint before John-Paul. Praise him on high! Reality check - Timmy wasn't a journalist, he was a lawyer...his silly "got ya" questions were getting rather tiring, especially since the repubanazis got all the puff questions...and I do believe he had something to do with the CIA leak, no? So Mr. Potatohead is history - plently of wealthy 'journalists' ready to step up...twas ever thus..

[PhDiva]

He's not a saint, he was a flawed man. However, he was also a valuable and important journalist. Show some respect.

[piquet]

The type of guy that if he was on YOUR side you would have NO problem with his "qualifications". Face it he kicked the shit out of your "values" and thin mental process. So now you have to find a sliver to bag the guy's credibility. Freaking weak sauce...absolutely weak.
***wave the f**k off***

[H.L. Mencken]

I Am curious? Who are you addressing?

[Plhamel]

Why does there always have to be one like this. The man died. Show some respect.

[hatethehype]

A monumental loss for those who enjoy politics and the great interview.
He died doing what he enjoyed.
Thanks for the time, Tim.
God Bless.

[liberaldawg]

MSNBC, enough already!!! 70++ hours of almost non-stop coverage
over Tim Russert's death is too much. I was a regular viewer of
MTP and enjoyed Russert too, but at this point you aren't adding
anything new. Brokaw to Kearns-Goodwin to Matthews to Barnicle
to Mitchell to Gregory, then the circle starts over again. I feel like I
have seen every photo in the Russert album, heard every anectdote
and watched snippets from every interview. Russert would not have
wanted this "rolling" coverage.

[gorgol]

You're talking to a news media...and not just MSNBC...that in the past has put Paris Hilton and Britney Spears ahead of the War in Iraq. And "they" still don't get it.

[H.L. Mencken]

you are famous for your non-sequitores

[conniedogs]

So many other channels to choose from or is MSNBC the only channel you're able to get.

[H.L. Mencken]

if I am paying for it ,it is not your choice the challel I chose but rather mine! I have the right to complain regarding content!

[Laserbeam]

I knew there would be some like you in the crowd. Heaven forbid you change the channel or leave your home for a walk.....

I for one really needed all that coverage. It was like a funeral and then a wonderful wake. I cried, a lot, but I laughed and smiled, too. I NEEDED THAT. I would have been a basket case today at work were it not for that opportunity.

I was born and raised in Berkeley and majored in journalism and broadcasting. Tim practiced TRUE journalism - unbiased and tough, bent on getting information out to us, the American public. The fact that there is no one else in the MSM with quite that touch is tragic. My hope is that with this sad passing a new voice is found that aims for impartiality and asking the really great questions.

I frankly am at a loss, liberaldawg, at why you would watch hour-upon-hour of coverage you didn't find interesting when so many alternatives exist. How's about you let folks like me mourn in peace.

[HDR]

How does anyone else's comment infringe on your mourning? I reread dawg's entry and found that all that he was refering to was the non-stop coverage, which is MSNBC's right. Since the remote enables viewers to surf, it was hard to not notice it. And since you "needed all that coverage," who really needed a walk?!

[H.L. Mencken]

perhaps it is that I am paying for the content

[tantip]

The people at MSNBC loved this man and if you're sick of seeing them talk about the life of Mr Russert then don't watch the network.

[H.L. Mencken]

it is a public network that is privately sustained financially through monthly fees! Viewers have a right to complain regarding content!