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.

As for the Republicans. . .

JOHN MCCAIN

-- 3:30 pm ET: Hosts virtual town hall meeting with RNC Victory Chair Carly Fiornia.

At the White House. . .

PRESIDENT BUSH

-- 4:00 am ET: Meets with French President Nicolas Sarkozy, Paris, France.

-- 5:50 am ET: Attends joint press conference with President Sarkozy, Paris.

-- 6:30 am ET: With Mrs. Bush, attends the unveiling of the Flamme de la Liberte.

-- 8:10 am ET: Visits and lays a wreath at Suresnes American Cemetery and Memorial, Paris.

-- 8:55 am ET: Visits and lays a wreath at Mont Valerien, Paris.

-- 9:45 am ET: With Mrs. Bush, attends a United States Missions greeting.

-- 1:30 pm ET: With Mrs. Bush, attends in a dinner hosted by U.S. Ambassador to France Craig Stapleton and Mrs. Stapleton, Paris.

Sunday, June 15, 2008

At the White House. . .

PRESIDENT BUSH

-- 9:30 am ET: With Mrs. Bush, meets Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, Windsor, United Kingdom.

-- 2:30 pm ET: With Mrs. Bush, attends dinner with British Prime Minister Gordon Brown and Mrs. Brown, London, United Kingdom.

Monday, June 16, 2008

BARACK OBAMA

-- 11:45 am ET: Attends event with voters in Flint, MI.

-- Attends fundraising event, Detroit, MI.

-- 8:30 pm ET: Attends rally with voters, Detroit, MI.

At the White House. . .

PRESIDENT BUSH

-- 3:15 am ET: Attends a breakfast with the Quartet representative, London, United Kingdom.

-- 4:10 am ET: Attends meeting with British Prime Minister Gordon Brown, London.

-- 6:05 am ET: Attends a press conference with Prime Minister Brown, London.

-- 10:20 am ET: Attends meeting with British Prime Minister Brown, the first minister of Northern Ireland, and deputy first minister of Northern Ireland, Belfast, Northern Ireland.

-- 11:40 am ET: With Mrs. Bush, visits Lough View Integrated Primary School, Belfast.

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