Tim Russert, 1950-2008

June 13, 2008— -- The political world was shocked and saddened on Friday by the untimely death of NBC's Tim Russert who collapsed while preparing for Sunday's "Meet the Press."

The NBC Washington bureau chief had just returned from a vacation in Italy to celebrate his son's college graduation.

The entire political and journalistic world responded to Russert's death, including both presidential candidates.

Barack Obama, who first floated the possibility of an '08 run on "Meet the Press," reacted to Russert's death on the tarmac in Columbus, Ohio.

"I've known Tim Russert since I first spoke at the convention in 2004," said Obama. "He's somebody who overtime I came to consider not only a journalist but a friend. There wasn't a better interviewer in TV, not a more thoughtful analyst of our politics and he was also one of the finest men I knew."

"Somebody who cared about America, cared about the issues, cared about family," Obama continued. "I am grief-stricken with the loss and my thoughts and prayers go out to his family. And I hope that even though Tim is irreplaceable that the standard that he set in his professional life and his family life are standards that we all carry with us in our own lives."

John McCain, who was grilled for his rapprochement with the Rev. Jerry Falwell on "Meet the Press," reacted to Russert's passing on the tarmac at Reagan airport, where he had just landed after a mid-day town hall meeting in New Jersey.

"He was hard but he was always fair," said McCain. "We will miss him. Our thoughts and prayers go out to his family. And we know that Tim Russert leaves a legacy of integrity, of the highest level of journalism, and we'll miss him. We'll miss him a lot."

"Again, he was hard, he was fair, he was at the top of his profession," said McCain. "He loved his country, he loved the Buffalo Bills, and most of all he loved his family."

On the campaign front. . .

Saturday, June 14, 2008

BARACK OBAMA

-- Attends town hall meeting in Philadelphia, PA.

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