Tim Russert: The Voice of Everyman
Lately, the concept of worthwhile work keeps slapping me in the face. Last week, on Friday the 13th, it knocked me over along with tens of millions of Meet the Press-viewing devotees. Tim Russert died – at work.
I am sad as if I’d lost a close friend. And I am humbled by the remarkable force of fellowship and integrity he inspired in journalists long-known for their cynicism and matter-of-fact style.
From the poignant remembrances on the memorial episode of Meet the Press to the honest and powerful interview http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/21134540/vp/25186769#25186769 of Luke Russert on the Today Show, the passing of Tim Russert reminds many of us what makes for effective communication.
No spin. Just the facts. Passion for getting at the truth. And loving the process of getting there.
Worthwhile work, indeed.
On Monday evening in New York, I gathered with three dear friends to catch-up and share a few laughs. While none of us ever met Tim Russert, we toasted his example. Each of us had shed tears watching the television tributes during the weekend. We even discussed whether or not NBC was overdoing it a bit. Were they justified? Why didn’t the legendary Peter Jennings get as much televised praise and remembrance on ABC?
It’s not as though there is a guidebook. Media writes new rules each day to satiate our curiosity and thirst for more. In today’s amazing world of 24/7 news and election year patter, the suddenness of it all demanded the opportunity to mourn the unexpected passing of the political voice of Everyman.
In literature and drama, the term everyman has come to mean an ordinary individual, with whom the audience or reader is supposed to be able to identify easily, and who is often placed in extraordinary circumstances. The name derives from a 16th century English morality play called Everyman.
Tim Russert’s stage was the NBC studio in Washington, D.C. And the drama unfolded every week as we watched a conversation – peppered with the questions we wanted to ask – as we got to know the powers of our world, thanks to Tim Russert.
What a pleasure. Worthwhile work, indeed.
Yet, as much as Tim Russert loved politics and forever will be known for his prophetic “Florida. Florida. Florida.” refrain nearly eight years ago, his most worthwhile work is still in progress. Job one was his son.
As he wrote in 2005 www.oprah.com/rys/omag/rys_omag_200501_aha.jhtml “When I brought Luke to begin his freshman year in college in September, I knew that a major chapter in his life and mine was over. From that day forward, he’d never again be totally dependent on me. I gave him simple advice: “Study hard, laugh often and keep your honor.” I pray that I’ve taught him to make good decisions and given him strong moral grounding to do the right thing. Because, ever since August 22, 1985, at 7:11 p.m., I’ve known that when my life is over, there’s nothing more I’ll be judged on than what kind of father I was.”
Worthwhile work, indeed.
