James Carville, Mary Matalin Break Down On Set Over Tim Russert's Death

In this photograph provided by 'Meet the Press,' Democratic strategist James Carville and his wife Republican strategist Mary Matalin burst into tears during a taping of 'Meet the Press' in memory of the late moderator Tim Russert Sunday, June 15, 2008, at the NBC studios in Washington.
(AP Photo/Meet The Press, Alex Wong)

More details below from AP on Russert's wake.

President Bush and his wife, Laura, went to a wake for Tim Russert, the television newsman who died last Friday.

Bush and his wife rode in a short, unmarked motorcade to St. Albans School in Northwest Washington, where the wake was being held Tuesday in the refectory.

Comments

[scorpioleidy]

Enough with the fake tears!

[Beernuts]

That is the best picture I have ever seen of either of them!!!! Oh, yes, both their faces are covered! That's why!

I stopped watching Russert when he sold out to this administration and this war.

The media is trying to make him into Mother Theresa because he is one of them, no conscience, no morals, just about money and winning. His early death makes them aware of their own mortality and the fact that they probably don't have enough time left to spend all their money.

This Bush Crime Family brought down Dan Rather, a real patriot who tried to stop them and save America. Russert was a corporate shill - a republican tool - a war lover. He always ran from controversy.

I hope there is a place where he will have to account for his very bad choices. Being a nice guy is not enough in times like these.

[way out left in san francisco]

It is refreshing to hear an objective point of view. Tim Russert had a lovable "have a beer with the guy" persona on tv. However his lack of objectivity with respect to the Iraq War and his support of the Bush Administration is a huge example of the failure of the News media in the last 8 years. He helped comfort the nation to make to transfer of power after the stolen election of 2000. Tim Russert helped sell the Iraq War. the Bush Administration used Meet The Press to spread their propaganda. Where were the real questions? I watched hours of Russert's questions during the eulogy week. I saw a lot of hard hitting questions about Whitewater to smear Gore by association; but, no where were there difficult questions to the Bushies. Russert epitomized the failure of the Press since 2001.

[partyofone]

Carville and Mataline: I cannot think of two people who have done more to promote the politics of division and destruction, and damage the nation in the process.

I hope when the world begins to debate charges of War Crimes for Bush and cronies, the work Mary Mataline did on lies and propoganda to justify invasion of Iraq will be fully exposed.

[jackathol]

James Carville is very bright and very funny. Let him have his sorrow. Tim Russert was a class act.

[Stew118]

Never agreed with much that either of them had to say politically but clearly these are people who love politics and if you love politics Tim's loss was incredibly hard to stomach.

[partyofone]

They love politics as warfare, and demonizing opponents as enemies who must be destroyed. They make a living by promoting the worst habits of establishment politics.

[klimtone]

Isn't it time to take this thing down? I don't care one way or the other about either of them. But they are people.

[XCITIZEN]

Why is it that Carville and Matalin strike me as two HUGE PHONIES?

[way out left in san francisco]

BECAUSE THEY ARE! They are mourning their obsolescence. They represent all the ugly old politics of the Clinton/Bushe Era. Carville dug his own political grave when he was pitching the racist slurs and lies against Obama for Hillary Clinton. There was no need for him to go that low. Matalin sold us Bush. I think her stock is a valuable as Enron's right now. The though o the Carville and Matalin being close friends of Hillary Clinton - hurt Clinton's bid for POTUS. How can we trust anyone who would have them as friends.

[Actionmac]

Because they are?

[Pamela1961]

Both of them were on the show a lot and live in the D.C. area. I'm sure they were pals or just respected Tim as he was suppose to be extremely nice off the set, even President Bush remarked on this. Being that the two are married and on opposite sides of the political spectrum, I gather the grief over Tim's death hits the whole industry. I use to see him at the grocery store, as I live around the corner from the NBC studios, he was buying fruit of all things, so he did try to stick to his diet. He also would give a huge hello and that sparkly eyed Irish smile. I didn't like his coverage of Obama or Clinton as I thought it biased and totally unusual for him, but I did like his show and the man.

God Bless his Wife and Son and may he walk among the angels.

[Janel]

As a big-time Russert fan, I watched the show that you referenced in this blog.

Tim Russert was a man. . .a man blessed with the ability to keep us informed about what is going on in America. Was he completely unbiased? Well, as one who viewed Meet the Press regularly, I will admit that his bias showed at times. Nonetheless, he was a great journalist and one who kept his interviewees on their toes. This was his gift to America.

Though not a Carville fan by any means, I found his commentary thoughtful and, though seeminly biased, fair. His wife Matalin was somewhat less. This said, these two individuals--take away their prominence--seemed to definitely mourn the loss of their friend, Tim Russert.

Let's give them a break. They SHOULD mourn the loss of a good friend. . .and we should not try to make an issue out of it.

[OBXartist]

HuffPost's Pick

I'm shocked with some of the coldblooded, graceless comments here. I don't think I've ever agreed with anything Mary Matalin has said, and I believe James Carville is mad as a hatter. But these two people are not monsters. They have feelings and people they care about and Tim Russert was obviously someone who a lot of people had special feelings for. Everyone deals with grief and loss in their own way. Just because some people are famous or well-positioned in their careers doesn't mean they are any better equipped to deal with tragedy or loss than any of the rest of us. If you can't feel empathy for those who are hurting, then there not much to redeem you.

[derekw007]

Quite honestly OBX, I take umbrage with one this you've said:

"these two people are not monsters..."

You know what? Do you want me to quote the FIVE THOUSAND TIMES each of these "people" lied, hid the truth in bullshit or otherwise besmerched the character of an opponent purely for political points?

Bill Richardson is a TRAITOR?
Civil rights leaders are racist?

Why don't you look up what these people actually do to pay the mortgage.

I don't really care what they feel. They've made a living as scummy lying politicos - excuse me if I don't bow down and thank them for acting human one in there life.

[way out left in san francisco]

I agree with you. They are mourning their obsolescence. They represent all the ugly old politics of the Clinton/Bushe Era. Carville dug his own political grave when he was pitching the racist slurs and lies against Obama for Hillary Clinton. There was no need for him to go that low. Matalin sold us Bush. I think her stock is a valuable as Enron's right now. The though o the Carville and Matalin being close friends of Hillary Clinton - hurt Clinton's bid for POTUS. How can we trust anyone who would have them as friends.

[discombobulated]

You are a disgrace. James Carville rocks. Missing Russert already because we know he's the only journalist that would ask Barry Hussein Osama the hard questions. I pray for the Democratic Party and for John McCain's victory so we don't put in terrorist sympathizers like you and Barry Osama in.

[Monrocsol]

For a very long time I've been saying what you just said.

I don't know where these people come from. If this is the far left, well, you don't give yourselves a very good name.

[ritz]

These are people who are locked in their small rooms with 7 different log in names on 27 different sites, who bounce back and forth trying to provoke a response so that they feel connected to the world in some way.

These are very, very, very sad people.

[duchampfitz]

there are trolls of every political persuasion

[HPotamus]

Reading this thread made me sick. Attacking two people for showing their grief over the loss of a colleague is disgusting and turning the thread into an outlet to name-call various people just shows a lack of class. Grow up and let people grieve the loss of their friend.

[elan4444]

Was this really on camera? Or is this an outtake? If it was on camera, I say, please . . . Jackie Kennedy set the model for grieving, watching her deceased husband's vice-president sworn in on a plane while in shock. Only hours before she narrowly escaped death herself. She was gracious and kept her emotions in private. A class act. What is going on here?

[Tulka2]

Who the Republic needed after 9/11 was an Edward R. Murrow. Instead we had a non-confrontational, pleasant, honorable man. Russert was not what the Republic needed then or now. Someone calling himself "Zone9" went crazy on the idea of putting Keith Olbermann up as the next Meet the Press moderator. I called Matthews, A. Mitchell and Gregory "light weights". I stick with that opinion, but a more appropriate phrase to describe them and Russert might be "connected". They are always, clearly concerned about their social standing in the halls of media and power.

Here are two new candidates for Meet the Press: David Schuster or Rachel Maddow. Please, MSNBC! Less "connectedness" and more brains!

[Warmenuf]

I don't believe it will be either Schuster or Maddow, but we can dream. Rachel, in particular, really rocks!

[wendytruth]

David Schuster is a moron who insulted the clinton's with his comments about chelsea and rachel maddo is liberal and partisan she would never work

they would not be able of carrying on Tim Russwerts me

[PhDiva]

I loved Tim Russert. He was a real reporter who really cared about journalism as a service to our nation. I didn't always agree with him, but I admired his intentions. I respect the fact that James Carville and Mary Matalin broke down. They were his friends. You should mourn your friends deeply when they go, just like family. Stop being so cold-hearted.

[discombobulated]

Hear, hear.

[HPotamus]

agreed.

[Geauterre]

Don't you love watching these media entertainers loving themselves?