Election Night, With One Thing Missing

I'm writing this from the MSNBC Digital Cafe in 30 Rock, overlooking Election Plaza lined with waving flags and illuminated by red, white and blue lights shining up and bathing the tower with in red, white and blue as two giant TV screens show coverage from the debates and live coverage from MSNBC. Right now Chuck Todd is walking viewers through a disembodied map of the country, superimposed on the screen with the high-tech wizardry that has typified this campaign.

But it wasn't long ago where the election-night tool of choice was a simple whiteboard, emblazoned with the words "Florida! Florida! Florida!" It was the tool of choice for Tim Russert, who before June 13, 2008, was the one guy who seemed to be relishing this long, crazy campaign season the most.

Since that date, the campaign — and NBC News — has had to go on without Russert in the thick of it, every weekend on "Meet The Press" and during the week on "Nightly News" and "Morning Joe" and convention coverage and debate nights stretching into the wee hours. For those of us who have been watching this race obsessively for the past two-plus years and living it since the lead-up to primary season, the absence of Russert has been noticeable, particularly during the weirder twists and turns of the campaign (and there's not a watcher who wouldn't have loved to have heard his thoughts on Sarah Palin).

At the time of Russert's death, there were quiet rumblings that too much attention was being spent on his memory, and that it was excessive — and it's true that this election is about much more than one person, be it Barack Obama or John McCain or Palin or the Clintons. But the intense, ongoing nature of the coverage has bred a nation of addicts, people who had gotten used to getting their news from certain trusted sources, and unconsciously sharing the experience with them. On a night like tonight — when viewers will settle in to their night of watching returns and will pick their favored networks and cablers to do it with — the absence of that familiar, trusted presence is keenly felt.

Lots of news to report today and many stories to follow, but I did want to make sure that was said.

Comments

[snarkopolitan]

Tim and his cardboard and magic marker over CNN's hologram any minute of any day. Lord how great it would have been to have him presiding over this.

[mater]

I'm glad people besides me remembered Tim Russert and how he would have loved this election and its outcome excitement. A tireless preparer of material for us all to be completely informed--he was a treasure of a journalist and a pleasure of a man to watch on tv. And Luke, your coverage would have made your father proud--you rock!

[weneedaLEADER]

To the Russert family.... there has not been a day in this campaign that I have not missed Tim, but what a thrill to watch Luke...Luke, you have been terrific, I know your father is so very proud of you. You have all the hallmarks of the same greatness your father exuded. I hope to see you for many years to come following in your father's footsteps. As much as America misses Tim, we can only guess at what your feelings were yesterday..Tim is truly an inspiration for us all...and I feel that he is still with us..God Bless

[betabeta]

I said something similar a few days ago, I miss his stories, his smile, and his passion.

[profsteph]

Amen. Of all the elections for him to miss - and for us not to have him with us... it was this one. I thought of him all day - and how his enthusiasm for this moment would have jumped through the screen. I love Brian, Tom, Keith, Chris - but there is something missing, something irreplaceable without Tim. NO ONE transmitted the idea "What a country" better than Tim.

I waited up until 2 am to make sure Tom Brokaw kept his promise and took Big Russ' VFW Hall mug and toasted to Tim. I cried.

[kasv]

Thank you... As I watched the non-stop coverage, I too thought of Tim, and how great it would be to hear him say "what a country" during the countdown and after the Obama win was announced. There was a big whole in the coverage team, and it will take a long time to fill.

[WORRIEDinFL]

I feel the same, and thought about him often tonight. I wouldv'e loved to hear his unique intellect and precise analysis. He wouldv'e loved it.

[nanners0808]

i miss you tim. you were one of a kind and an example of a great american.

i'm sure you are watching and loving every minute of this election and wonderful ending.

[amyers]

WIsh you were here, Tim. We all know you would have looked forward to this.

[crowmeris]

I've missed the leprechaun for months, but never as much as tonight.

[BuckeyeLou]

I'm really missing Tim Russert's election night coverage and the twinkle in his eye.
It was nice to see his son, Luke, reporting from Indiana University and adding the youth voice.

[MrsKohler]

I, too, am missing Tim's sure and strong voice guiding us through this wild ride. I know how he and my Dad, who I lost 5 years ago, would be relishing this night.

[zootsuit711]

R.I.P. Tim... we miss you.

[ksmagenta]

RIP Tim Russert, a great journalist and a great American. You have certainly been missed.

[infinity]

Ah, shucks..l miss Ed Murrow, too!

[ThinkForYourself2]

The following video below is of a computer programmer, speaking under oath, about how he helped to rig the Florida election in 2000. He confesses that he was asked to write this program by Florida Republican, Speaker of the House, Tom Feeney.

If you have the choice, DO NOT use the electronic voting machines. They may be rigged.

Add this to the list of important stories that our criminal mainstream media has completely ignored and/or helped to cover-up.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mq9WVuKGwOM&feature=related