Tim Russert

The news of this legendary journalist shocked me to to the core today. Here is the succinct reflection I submitted to the Post Web site and the local news station.

As a D.C. area journalism and politics student, the news of Tim Russert's passing has shocked and saddened me deeply. Tim Russert represents the gold standard in the field, and his passion and thoroughness are what my classmates and I aspire to embody. My dad always says that Russert and his little white board are what demystified the American electoral system for him. What a shame to have lost him so young. I know he must be chewing God out right now for taking him before November 2008. My thoughts and prayers go out to his family.

Russert defined the field I want to go into, but it isn't just students and professionals that can learn from him. He made politics engaging and interesting to everyone in America. He will be missed sorely, especially in the wake of the most important presidential election cycle in recent American history.