Tim Russert, 1950-2008Highlights from Slate's coverage of Tim Russert over the years.
Posted Friday, June 13, 2008, at 4:47 PM ET
Longtime NBC News anchor and political journalist Tim Russert died Friday, when he collapsed from a coronary embolism. In a 2000 "Press Box" column, Jack Shafer chronicled Russert's multiple violations of Voter News Service embargoes. In a 2003 column, Shafer offered five easy steps to beating Russert on Meet the Press. Mickey Kaus examined NBC's awkward coverage of the Valerie Plame scandal, in which Russert was involved, and Seth Stevenson covered Russert's appearance on the witness stand during the Scooter Libby trial. Last month, Shafer highlighted Tim Russert while discussing the media's "horse race" approach to coverage of the 2008 Democratic primaries.
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Remarks from the Fray:
I am an avid slate reader who looks to this site for interesting and intelligent takes on the affairs of the day. I may not always agree with the opinions expressed or the perspective of a piece, but I usually respect the article itself as a thoughtful take on the issue at hand.
What makes this post on Russert's passing so disappointing is not the fact that the site has chosen not to praise a recently deceased media figure. I'll admit, I was a fan and think he deserves some, but there are plenty of outlets doing plenty of praising right now. No, what is so disappointing is the crassness of being negative about a man upon his untimely death without even so much as putting forth the effort to actually write something.
I would have been very happy and even interested to read a well reasoned counter to the praise currently being heaped upon by the media. I am still not sure it would have been necessary, but at least it could have been in keeping with the all the reasons people come to Slate. Instead you went lazy, crass, and all with a touch of self importance. Just not sure why you bothered.
--Ledbury
(To reply, click here.)
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