Tim Russert tributes

Upon his death, Tim Russert tributes have come from across the political spectrum, pop culture, and the sports world as well. Cable news stations devoted many hours to such tributes over the course of the weekend following his death as well.

From politics and journalism
On the evening of his death, the entire, nearly commercial-free half hour of NBC Nightly News was dedicated to Russert's memory, featuring previous news segments with Russert and interviews with some of Russert's colleagues. The broadcast also included tributes to Russert by presidential candidates John McCain and Barack Obama, as well as Keith Olbermann, Ethel Kennedy, Bob Schieffer, Tom Brokaw, Bob Woodward and others. Dateline NBC also served as a memorial for Russert, by highlighting the heights of both his early life and political and journalistic career in television. No other news was covered in the broadcast. Other major public and cable news agencies, including CBS, ABC, CNN and Fox News also devoted large segments of their programming on June 13 to Russert's life and memory. Even the BBC covered his death. MSNBC, the cable network operated by NBC at which he had spent much time working, devoted several continuous hours of commercial-free interviews with Russert's colleagues, during which host Keith Olbermann and other NBC commentators teared up several times. Their weekend coverage was also devoted exclusively to interviews and analysis about Russert and his impact.

Journalists from multiple news organizations praised Russert's commitment to the highest standards of well-researched journalism and fair play. CBS News anchor emeritus Walter Cronkite wrote: "Tim Russert was a giant in our field — a standard-bearer of journalistic integrity and ethics. His masterful interviews and round-table discussions are legendary."

Washington Post journalist Carl Bernstein wrote: "Tim Russert was a transformative journalist. He changed American television news, by bringing to it his own values: integrity, fairness, good humor, humility, and a unique sense of how reporting, history, and politics are bound together. He was masterful at exposing hypocrisy. I knew him as a source, a colleague, a competitor, and — on the air — as the subject of his tough questions. His approach to every role was always the same: he loved what he did, and sought a way to the truth, often unconventionally." Gwen Ifill reported Russert's death and acknowledged Russert's impact on the world of television journalism on her PBS show Washington Week broadcast of June 13, 2008, saying she considered Russert a friend, described how he brought her into the world of broadcasting on a dare, and lamented his loss.

Politicians who had faced him in presidential debates and on Meet the Press also commented on his death. President George W. Bush praised him as "a tough and hardworking newsman. He was always well-informed and thorough in his interviews. And he was as gregarious off the set as he was prepared on it." Former President Bill Clinton and Senator Hillary Clinton released a joint statement saying: "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."

Sen. John McCain said: "Tim Russert was at the top of his profession. He was a man of honesty and integrity. He was hard, but he was always fair." Sen. Barack Obama said: "I've known Tim Russert since I first spoke to the convention in 2004. He was somebody who over time I came to consider not only a journalist but a friend. There wasn't a better interviewer in television nor a more thoughtful analyst of our politics, and he was also one of the finest men I knew."

Entertainers
Radio talk-show host Rush Limbaugh posted a statement on his website, writing in part, "It's just a shame. Tim was a regular guy with perpetual smile he wore naturally all the time....Tim was always the same with me: genuine."

Bruce Springsteen, a friend of Russert's, while performing in Cardiff, Wales on Saturday 14 June, offered an on-stage tribute to Russert calling him "an important unreplacable voice in American journalism" and offering condolences to his family. Springsteen dedicated the performance of "Thunder Road" to Russert's memory to resounding applause from the audience.

On Monday evening, comedian Jon Stewart, host of The Daily Show, dedicated the "Moment of Zen" to Russert's memory. Former Daily Show correspondent Stephen Colbert, host of The Colbert Report, also made a similar tribute to Russert that same evening: "Mr. Russert was a model journalist who brought dignity, credibility, and joy to his work. He will be sorely missed." Conan O'Brien, of Late Night with Conan O'Brien, also devoted a segment of his show in rememberance of Tim Russert by showcasing clips of Russert from past interviews on Late Night.

Memorial services
Also on June 15, a candlelight vigil was held in Tim Russert Park in his hometown of Buffalo. WGRZ-TV reported that over 1,000 people attended. A number of local politicians offered praise and fond memories of Russert, led by Mayor Byron W. Brown, who talked about Russert’s “continuing love affair with the City of Buffalo,” proclaiming Sunday “Tim Russert Day.”

On 18 June, Keith Olbermann on MSNBC noted that the song "Somewhere Over The Rainbow" was played just prior dismissing attendees at Russert's memorial service on the same day. Olbermann noted that attendees were stunned at the sight as they left the building. An actual rainbow had arched prominently in the sky.

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