Luke Russert, Tim Russert's Son, Remembers His Dad On "Today" Show

Tim Russert's son Luke, acknowledged by all who knew him as the pride of Tim's life, appeared on the "Today" show Monday morning to remember his dad. Luke and his mom, Maureen Orth, were in Italy on Friday when Tim collapsed at NBC's Washington bureau and died — and while they have relayed messages through close family friends (like Mike Barnicle), this is the first public appearance either has made.

Watch:

Comments

[rainey]

ENOUGH!

[aafshar]

There is lot of talk today about who can replace Tim Russert on Meet the Press, two great names come to mind, Ted Koppel and Dan Rather. Two trust worthy, honest and with ethics and morals. I am hoping NBC would consider these two. I think the American public will welcome them both with open arms.

[tristan90us]

Go online and find out how old Koppel and Rather are. What is it about CHANGE that you are not hearing? Must you have your news anchor snuggy blankets forever?

[aafshar]

Well i don't need to go online to find out how they are, i already watch Rather on HDNet and he is still great, honest and has a lot to offer. I hear CHANGE and i shout it out everyday, but when you have someone who is straight forward and honest and not afraid to speak to power you cherish it not change it. I am all for change but i am not going to change my wife or son or anything else that is good in my life just for the sake of change. Some things are just not underwear. "Must you have your news anchor snuggy blankets forever?" you ask, yes is i do, i would have love to have Cronkite on the evening news right now, i know i would have gotten the real news not infomercial

[susane07]

It's past time for NBC to get more women and minorities in leadership jobs. Let's try Andrea this time.

[shaefromTn]

What a crock of bull Andrea is in bed with the Bushes why have her take over Tim"s job, why not Dan Rather he has a ax to grind with the Bushes!!!!!! Much better reporting than Andrea Mitchell who gives Bush a free ride!!!!!!

[Scoop511]

Has anyone mentioned Phil Donahue?

I agree with others that thought this interview was a little tasteless. Luke was poised and well spoken, but it just seemed too soon and not at all about Tim and his family, but more about the Today's Show bringing in the viewers. Like Matt would repeat things he already said he said to Luke in private. Well, if that was for Luke, then what was the point of saying it again on the air? Matt seemed to be trying to get Luke to shed tears.

[saywha]

I too was very shocked and saddened to hear about Tim Russert's death. He was the BEST! Over the weekend, I watched both NBC and MSNBC and, maybe I just missed it, but in all the many tributes I heard, (including Obama, McCain, Bush, Cheney, , etc.) I don't recall any from the Clintons. I spoke to others who also missed hearing any words from them. Since I can't believe that Bill and/or Hillary would not release a statement of condolence, could someone kindly enlighten me and, If possible, let me know what they said.

[nuyawka]

The Clinton did release a statement of condolence on Friday, which was actually posted on this very website. Here is a link to that article:

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2008/06/13/tim-russert-dies-presiden_n_107052.html

[mam]

saywha,

Here was the response from the Clintons:

"We were stunned and deeply saddened to hear of the passing today of Tim Russert. Our thoughts and prayers are with his wife Maureen, his son Luke, his father who we all have come to know as Big Russ, his extended family and all of his many friends and colleagues at NBC who have suffered a tremendous loss.

Always true to his proud Buffalo roots, Tim had a love of public service and a dedication to journalism that rightfully earned him the respect and admiration of not only his colleagues but also those of us who had the privilege to go toe to toe with him. In seeking answers to tough questions, he helped inform the American people and make our democracy stronger. We join his friends, fans and loved ones in mourning his loss and celebrating his remarkable contribution to our nation."

[AmbroseChapel]

This guy was fantastic today. I know for a fact that if I were to suffer the loss of my father I wouldn't be able to handle myself in this magnificent manor. Truly talented. I see a bright future for Luke.

[MizLiz]

Another thought: Being a great fan of "The Sopranos" I remember Tim's cameo in one of the episodes. he was supposed to be somebody's cousin...h­e was a natural, and looked like he was really having a blast playing himself on such a great show.

[proudloudlib]

Are you sure it was the Sopranos? I know he appeared as himself on "Homicide" as Megan Russert's cousin, bickering about Christmas presents. It was priceless.

[Bettysdad]

What do you mean "he was a natural?"

He was an actor, that's all.

Performing a script his masters at NBC, then RCA, then GE wanted people to hear.

When did you hear Russert put out something disturbing?

[ProgressiveThought]

Go get em Luke! Awesome interview! Can we get Luke on Meet the Press?

[MelCraig]

~

You must be kidding.

To start with, this young man is not well spoken. In order to be a broadcaster, you must be able to use the English language correctly, including pronoun agreement.

I have not seen this in any interviews with Luke Russert, both before and after the tragedy.

~

[DebraCraig]

I don't know what Luke's degree is in, but he should go into some type of broadcast journalism. He was so articulate. I guess as they say, "a chip off the old block."

[VOTER]

I don't know what his degree is but he as been co-hosting a regular sports

radio show on XM satellite with none other than James Carville.

They began their show in January of 2006.

[hopefull2008]

What a great job by Matt Lauer ... can't have been easy for him either.

[VOTER]

I disagree. What would have been difficult for Matt Lauer would have been to

disagreed with his NBC bosses and insisted this interview take place in a week or two

from now.

It appears NBC is now into ghoulishness instead of respect and honest grieving

[bdl0715]

For once consider that maybe Luke and his mom thought it was a good idea. The young man is 22 and a college graduate. Why is everyone assuming he was used? Maybe he wanted to talk about his dad.

[MizLiz]

I'm speechless. A beautiful tribute...­but oh, how we'll all mkiss him. Election night will never be the same.

[richcpl]

To those who are appalled by my comment that the guy was just a reporter and can we move on from the national mourning, let's face it--this is obsessive and excessive media navel-gazing. Just because the media flog things like Anna Nicole Smith's death hardly excuses the excess of coverage here.

What's the standard now? What happens when a true legend like Walter Cronkite, who spanned generations, whose single commentary on the Vietnam War turned public opinion irretrievably, and whose retirement helped herald the end of network news -- what happens when he dies? Cronkite anchored the most respected news program in the world for 20 years -- longer than Russert was doing Meet the Press. He was in people's living rooms five nights a week. Russert did a great job, sure. But he was on once a week plus special occasions. And how many people are actually watching Meet the Press on Sunday morning?

Come on, people. Get some perspective. This is not a political statement. It's a cultural and media statement.

[pertello]

NBC lost a member of their family. A very important person widely loved and respected. Have a heart.

[repearwo]

I do have a heart, for the 4000+ who died because among other things the media refused to say that Bush was lying. THe 4000+ families lost members of their families. Maybe we all should have a heart and an honest discussion before we put other people's lives at risk for no purpose at all, except to line the pockets of the OIl Companies and KBR.

[michiganvoter]

If you don't understand the difference between the pathetic sideshow follow-up to the Anna Nicole tragedy and the genuine shared grief being expressed by the colleagues and loyal following of the top political journalist of our generation, then you have no business commenting here.

Please leave us alone.

[tristan90us]

YOU are not seeing that there is EXACTLY the same dynamic working here. Celebrity mourning is big business. Russert was no more the top political journalist of "our" generation (there are many generations commenting here, would you deny any of them that right?) than Anna Nicloe was the Sex Symbol of her age.
You are being spun, simple as that, and you are loving the spin you're in. Snap out of it!
You leave US alone! Take your maudlin tabloid grief somewhere else.

[repearwo]

I guess you feel there are lives that are worthy and lives that are not. Tim is worthy even though he alloed Bush to lie through him and Anna Nicole is not worthy.

Anyone who follows the rules can comment here and they do not have to agree with you or the majority. I think that Tim would even agree with that.

[seenitall]

The folks commenting here generally watch shows that have meaning...­not Faux and Fiends. Russert was an excellent moderator because he knew politics. You only have to listen to those who were guests to know he got to the heart of the important issues and made them honest. Walter Cronkite was a journalist in another time...you can't argue that so much has changed since since then, but it doesn't take away anything from him being an outstanding journalist. Russert did change the way we view politics and politicians--it wasn't only one day a week; he was at the helm of the Washington bureau and guided that part of the network. BTW, thanks for telling us who we should and shouldn't hold up as examples of excellence.

[repearwo]

While that may be true, he did not serve us or the country well when he allowed Bush to lie to get us into war when any good journalist not bought and paid for would have known it was a lie. I am just a working guy as I said previously and I knew we were being lied to and the info was all in plain sight if you took a minute to actually look.

The irony of this country is that all we need to know is available, but we are snookered becasue the media does not tell us what it does not want us to know. Now bloggers are pretty much that way as well. If you look it is al there and was in 2002 and 2003.

The fault lies in us because we want our informatio digested for us. IT is lazy, but the people of the US are pretty much lazy. Tim Russert may have been one of the better talking heads but that does little for the 4000+ who did not have to die. IF our media had been Responsible and our Lawmakers had a spine those 4000+ might be alive today and at best they would have died on a battlefield where there was cause like in Afganistan.

[belikejeanvaljean]

I was not a regular viewer of Meet the Press, but I loved watching Tim's commentary on NBC and MSNBC. I will greatly miss his eager enthusiasm and cannot imagine anyone who could replace him.

[Melimelo]

Cronkite was born in 1916, Russert was born in 1950. Part of the tragedy here is that such a talented and good-hearted individual died at such a young age. I think it's natural to want to honor his memory, as Cronkite's memory will surely be celebrated at the end of his long and accomplished life.

[reasonlives]

Cronkite iswas overrated. He hasnt been on the air for 30 years and was just an anchorman reading cue cards and later teleprompter in his day. Not really a reporter. Also pro-establishment and didnt rock the boat. Yes he criticized Vietnam War but he was hardly a lone voice in the wilderness by that time.
He just gets a lot of publicity because there were only 3 channels when he was on TV, and he came across as a nice grandfatherly figure.

[Martha12]

What a wonderful son. Tim, "you done good"!

[azteacher]

If my son speaks of me with such love and admiration upon my passing, I'll know I've done my job as a parent. We'll miss you, Tim.

[tinkaboutit]

I remember his dad too.

[peepeeray]

Man oh man, what an emotional thing to wake up to on a Monday morning. So impressed with Luke Russert. Papa Tim and his mother have done just great. This kid's going to be all right.

[Lauris]

Tim Russert was a great journalist. He came from blue collar background to the most influencial man in Washington. There is nobody ever going to fit it to shoes.

[Cakey4814]

I couldn't stop watching MSNBC this weekend. While I had never met the man I just felt like I knew him thru his broadcast. He will truly truly be missed during this historic election. Just seems kind of cruel that the family had just returned from a family celebration and it being right before Fathers Day that this had to happen. My heart goes out to the family and especially this young man who was obviously the apple of his father's eye.