Tim Russert facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Tim Russert
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Russert in October 2007
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| Born |
Timothy John Russert
May 7, 1950 Buffalo, New York, U.S.
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| Died | June 13, 2008 (aged 58) Washington, D.C., U.S.
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| Resting place | Rock Creek Cemetery Washington, D.C., U.S. |
| Education | John Carroll University (B.A.) Cleveland-Marshall College of Law (J.D.) |
| Occupation | Journalist |
| Years active | 1983–2008 |
| Spouse(s) |
Maureen Orth
(m. 1983) |
| Children | Luke Russert |
Timothy John Russert (May 7, 1950 – June 13, 2008) was an American journalist and lawyer. He was best known for hosting NBC's Meet the Press for over 16 years, making him the longest-serving moderator of the show. He was also a senior vice president at NBC News and led their Washington, D.C. office. Russert often appeared on other NBC shows like The Today Show and Hardball. He covered many presidential elections and was known for his detailed political surveys. In 2008, Time magazine named him one of the 100 most influential people in the world.
Contents
Early Life and Education
Tim Russert was born in Buffalo, New York. His mother, Elizabeth, was a homemaker, and his father, Timothy Joseph, worked in sanitation. Tim was the only boy among four children. His family was Catholic, and he had German and Irish roots. He went to Canisius High School in Buffalo, where he received a Jesuit education.
He earned his bachelor's degree in 1972 from John Carroll University. Later, he got his law degree with honors from Cleveland State University's Cleveland–Marshall College of Law in 1976. While in law school, he helped book concerts for his old university. He even booked a then-unknown singer named Bruce Springsteen for $2,500! John Carroll University has since named its Department of Communication and Theatre Arts after him.
Career in Politics and Journalism
Early Political Work
Before joining NBC News, Russert worked in politics. He was a special helper and later the chief of staff for U.S. Senator Daniel Patrick Moynihan from New York. In 1983, he became a top assistant to New York Governor Mario Cuomo. Both Moynihan and Cuomo were Democrats.
Leading Meet the Press
NBC News hired Tim Russert in 1984, and by 1989, he became the head of their Washington office. In 1991, he started hosting Meet the Press, a famous Sunday morning political show. He hosted it for so long that the show's name was changed to Meet the Press with Tim Russert. He also suggested making the show an hour long, which happened in 1992.
Russert was known for his deep research and tough questions. He would often find old quotes or videos of guests that didn't match their current statements. Then, he would show them on air and ask guests to explain. This style helped the show's audience grow to over four million viewers each week. Meet the Press became a very important source for political news. Russert also often led political debates during election campaigns.
Key Political Coverage
Predicting Elections
During NBC's coverage of the 2000 presidential election, Russert famously used a whiteboard to show how the election depended on "Florida, Florida, Florida." This moment was called one of the "100 greatest moments in TV history" by TV Guide. He also correctly predicted the key state for the 2004 presidential election: "Ohio, Ohio, Ohio."
Understanding Red and Blue States
Tim Russert is often credited with making the terms "red states and blue states" popular. These terms describe states where people mostly vote for the Republican Party (red) or the Democratic Party (blue) in presidential elections. While others used colors before, Russert's use during the 2000 election helped these terms become common in political discussions.
Interviews and Debates
Russert interviewed many important government officials, including Vice President Dick Cheney, before the Iraq War. His interview style was praised for being direct and asking tough questions. He also moderated many important political debates. For example, he co-moderated a debate between Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama in 2008.
Love for Sports
Tim Russert was a huge sports fan. He grew up cheering for the New York Yankees. Later, he became a fan of the Washington Nationals and the Washington Wizards, holding season tickets for both. He was even elected to the board of directors for the National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum in 2003.
He was a lifelong fan of the Buffalo Bills football team. He often ended his Sunday broadcasts during football season by saying, "Go Bills!" The team even released a statement after his death, saying his cheer was part of their game day routine. A road leading to the Bills' stadium was renamed the "Timothy J. Russert Highway" in his honor. He also loved the Buffalo Sabres hockey team.
Author and Public Speaker
In 2004, Russert wrote a best-selling book called Big Russ and Me. It was about his childhood in Buffalo and his education. The book focused on his father, Timothy Joseph Russert ("Big Russ"), who was a World War II veteran. His father taught him the importance of family, faith, and hard work. Russert received many letters from readers who related to his stories about fathers. In 2005, he released another best-selling book, Wisdom of Our Fathers: Lessons and Letters from Daughters and Sons, which was a collection of some of these letters.
Russert also made a small appearance in 1995 on the TV show Homicide: Life on the Street, playing a cousin of a detective.
Awards and Recognition
During his career, Tim Russert received many honors. He was given 48 honorary doctorates and won several awards for his excellent journalism. Some of these include:
- The Paul White Award (2009)
- The John Peter Zenger Freedom of the Press Award
- The American Legion Journalism Award
- A 2005 Emmy Award for his coverage of former President Ronald Reagan's funeral.
- A 2005 Golden Plate Award from the American Academy of Achievement.
A minor planet, 43763 Russert, was even named after him!
Personal Life
Tim Russert married Maureen Orth in 1983. She is a special correspondent for Vanity Fair. They had a son named Luke Russert, who also became a journalist.
Russert was a very religious Catholic. He often spoke about how important his Catholic school education and his faith were to him. He said his father worked two jobs so his children could go to Catholic school, which changed his life. He also supported many Catholic charities, especially those helping children.
The Russert family lived in Washington, D.C., and also spent time at a vacation home on Nantucket Island. There, he became friends with Fred Rogers, the host of "Mister Rogers' Neighborhood".
Death and Legacy
Tim Russert passed away suddenly on June 13, 2008, at the age of 58. He collapsed at the NBC News offices in Washington, D.C., while working. His death was a shock to many.
Many people, including politicians and fellow journalists, shared their sadness and respect for Russert. President George W. Bush said, "America lost a really fine citizen yesterday when Tim Russert passed away." Musician Bruce Springsteen, a friend of Russert's, gave a special tribute to him.
Tim Russert is buried at Rock Creek Cemetery. His office, with his desks and notes, was recreated as an exhibit at the Newseum in Washington, D.C., and later moved to the Buffalo History Museum. This exhibit allows people to see where he worked and learn more about his career.
Career Timeline
- Political career
- 1977–1982 – chief of staff to Daniel Patrick Moynihan
- 1983–1984 – counselor to Mario Cuomo
- Broadcast career
- 1984–1988 – senior vice president of NBC News' Washington operations
- 1995 – Homicide: Life on the Street (cameo appearance as self, but as fictitious cousin of Captain Megan Russert)
- 1988–2008 – Washington bureau chief of NBC News
- 1991–2008 – moderator of Meet the Press
- 1992–2006 – co-anchor of NBC News' election night coverage
- Debates moderated
- 1991 – Ex-Gov. Edwin Edwards and State Rep. David Duke, candidates for Governor of Louisiana
- 1994 – Gov. Lawton Chiles and Jeb Bush, candidates for Governor of Florida
- 1998 – Sen. Bob Graham vs. State Sen. Charlie Crist, candidates for U.S. Senate from Florida
- January 2000 – in New Hampshire involving Republican candidates for President
- January 2000 – in New Hampshire involving Democratic candidates for President
- 2000 – Bill McCollum vs. Bill Nelson, candidates for U.S. Senate from Florida
- September 2000 – in Buffalo Rep. Rick Lazio and First Lady Hillary Clinton, candidates for U.S. Senate from New York
- October 2000 – involving candidates for U.S. Senate from Florida
- 2002 – Bill McBride and Gov. Jeb Bush, candidates for Governor of Florida
- 2002 – Shannon O'Brien vs. Mitt Romney, candidates for Governor of Massachusetts
- 2004 – Betty Castor and HUD Secretary Mel Martinez, candidates for U.S. Senate from Florida
- October 2005 – A.G. Jerry Kilgore and Lt. Gov. Tim Kaine, candidates for governor of Virginia
- November 2006 – in Orlando Sen. Bill Nelson and Rep. Katherine Harris, candidates for U.S. Senate from Florida
- September 2007 – in New Hampshire involving Democratic candidates for U.S. President
- October 2007 – (co-moderator) of debate in Philadelphia involving Democratic candidates for U.S. president
- January 2008 – in Boca Raton, Florida, involving Republican candidates for President
- January 2008 – in Las Vegas, Nevada, involving Democratic candidates for President
- March 2008 – (co-moderator) at Cleveland State between Sen. Hillary Clinton and Sen. Barack Obama, Democratic candidates for U.S. President
Images for kids
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A makeshift memorial at WRC-TV, the site of studios for Meet the Press
See also
In Spanish: Tim Russert para niños
