I’m just sitting here in utter shock; heard this as a special report on another TV station.
What a loss 
My condolences to his wife and son and the rest of his family.
His ability to keep his personal opinions out of the way when questioning and reporting were unparalleled. His willingness to ask hard questions and refusal to not let go until an answer–not an evasion–was given are the reasons I trusted his take on things before anyone else’s.
I know his family is surrounded by good friends already, but they have my best wishes, too.
As a fellow native of Buffalo, Tim was someone I looked up to with a great deal of admiration. He’ll be missed as a scholar, as a reporter, and as a Buffalonian.
Oh man, that’s too bad. He was my favorite TV journalist. He may have been the most respected man in the biz. This is a huge loss to television journalism.
And here just a couple weeks ago he was riffing on Terry McAuliffe for reporting his father’s passing prematurely. Uncanny. How shocking. How sad.
No!
I’m genuinely shocked and saddened. Russert appeared on my radar screen this campaign season – I couldn’t help but notice what an excellent debate moderator he was (especially when compared to the likes of Charlie Gibson). His questions were tough but fair, and his personality commanded respect. I’ll miss the guy.
Why do the good people always die young?
I just want to add that he is someone whose passion for politics came across every election night. You could feel his excitement when talking about politics, drawing on the white board, eating up the upsets and twists and turns; and his excitement was contageous.
My wife and I loved listening to this guy. I’m really sad.
This just plain sucks.
I really feel like he was the most honest voice in the news. I’m really going to miss watching him.
A shame, a damn shame.
He was one of the last television reporters that I could respect as a legitimate journalist.
He was up there with Bill Moyers and Tom Brokaw at our house. My husband even liked him and he doesn’t like anybody. Damn.
That’s really too bad. He was almost universally greatly respected, and more importantly IMO he seemed like just a really good guy. The New York Times says his family is flying back from Italy now. What a horrible phone call to receive.
Wow, this is such a bummer. He was by far my favorite TV journalist; I watched MTP every chance I got. For the past few months I’ve been catching his election coverage almost every day. I have no idea who they’ll possibly get to replace him.
Rest in peace, Little Russ.
I wasn’t his biggest fan, but that’s neither here nor there. It’s always a shame when someone dies untimely like this.
I’m sad.
Rest in Peace.
I’ve heard *Meet the Press * is about the toughest show a politician can do.
What a loss.
Go Bills, and Godspeed Mr. Russert from this born-and-raised-in-the-city-limits expat.
Dammit. One of the few news personalities that I really respected. The best part was that he would grill Republicans and Democrats equally hard. No softballs from this guy and he would not tolerate an evasive answer. You will be missed.
His son was in the same graduating class as me at Boston College. I never knew him, but I wish there was something I could do. I sent him a facebook message…
Good lord- for Big Russ to live to see this… how sad.
Tim Russert was a great man, a great journalist, and a great friend. From Andrea Mitchell to Keith Olbermann to Brian Williams to Tom Brokaw to David Gregory, not one of the journalists whose lives Tim Russert touched could speak about him without crying at least once.
He loved his family, loved his Buffalo Bills, loved baseball, and loved politics. He held 48 honorary doctorates. He was a brilliant and well-prepared mind who will be irreplaceable in that chair.
I wonder who could possibly replace him as NBC’s Washington Bureau Chief? I’m thinking Andrea Mitchell, actually.