Tim Russert, Meet the Press Bureau Chief, Has Died of a Heart Attack, 58 Years Old
There are very few people I admire in mainstream journalism–especially political journalism, and Tim Russert was on my short list. I am a regular viewer of Meet the Press and he was part of the reason why. I found his reporting fair and balanced and complemented by a refreshing personality and underlying jovial manner. That’s saying a a lot for a political journalist.
The fact that he died today of an apparent heart attack–collapsing at work I believe, saddens me deeply and illustrates again the importance of nurturing one’s health above and beyond the call of duty to one’s job/business/profession. This deeply talented man was a gift to the industry, a rarity in an arena of political reporting, and simply refreshing to watch. I wonder, though, if he was working too hard and allowing the job to dictate the quality of his life.
It’s easy to do when one loves his/her work, but it’s a dangerous game to play. Heart attack remains the number one cause of death in the US for both men and winner–the silent killer–and is rarely asymptomatic in men. I wonder if Mr. Russert experienced warning signs and if he attempted to take heed to the messages his body was sending.
Nonetheless, my heart goes out to his family and colleagues who have lost a husband, a father, a friend, and a colleague. And I pray more of us take a cue from this loss by putting our health first. Nothing else matters more.
A Few Things to Clear Up Once & For All Before November…
Reading The Pictures: The Clinch
Reading The Pictures: The Clinch
Michael Shaw
I looked at a mountain of pics from Tuesday’s decisive night, and kept coming back to this one.
First, I appreciate the color of Michelle’s dress, reprising — at least to me — the ‘04 conclusion that America (in contrast to the hyper-polarized red state/blue state dichotomy perpetuated by the media) is actually a lot more purple.
I also appreciate Michelle’s proud, private, knowing, understated, intimate and unselfconscious expression, as well as the lack of tension in each partner’s body. Observing them these many months, it is evident to me that the Obamas’ ability to remain so relaxed is a natural expression of confidence.
Mostly though, I tried (fruitlessly) to imagine John and Cindy or Bill and Hillary celebrating the impending nomination with a fist bump, illuminating the fact that, as much as anything, the gesture — just like this outcome — is truly a generational thing.
(image: Scott Olson/Getty Images. June 3, 2008. St. Paul, MN)
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Obama Wins Dem Nomination! A Few Stories…
GLOBEANDMAIL.COM
It’s Obama’s party
Illinois senator finally secures the Democratic nomination, and becomes the first black man to lead his party
WASHINGTON — This is history. Barack Obama is the Democratic Party’s presumptive nominee for president, the first African-American to lead the party of Jefferson and Roosevelt.
The Illinois senator secured the nomination last night after a spate of superdelegates – senior party politicians and officials – announced they would be supporting him at the Democratic National Convention in August. That, plus the pledged delegates he obtained after Tuesday’s final two primaries in Montana and South Dakota, put Mr. Obama past the 2,118 delegates needed to win the convention.
Click here to read full story…
FROM REUTERS (Below)
Obama looks to unify Democrats after historic win
By John Whitesides, Political Correspondent
WASHINGTON (Reuters) – After making history by capturing the Democratic nomination, Barack Obama turns on Wednesday to the task of unifying a fractured party for a five-month battle for the White House with Republican John McCain.
Obama rocketed from political obscurity to become the first black to win the presidential nomination of a major U.S. party. The Illinois senator on Tuesday locked up the 2,118 delegates he needs for victory at the August convention.
Click here to read article
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Donna Brazile, CNN Contributor, superdelegate and former Bill Clinton advisor/campaign strategist reminding former Michigan Governor Jim Blanchard of the importance of playing by the rules–just like her mama taught her…
