Tim Russert: 1950 - 2008

I made fun of his softball Meet The Press questions, I rolled my eyes occasionally when he talked about Big Russ too much... but still. Sad news.

I'll remember him this way: White board in hand in 2000, Tom Brokaw smiling fondly as Russert played the numbers game like an over excited St. Bernard puppy. In a night that was miserable for most of the viewers watching, Russert was the happiest person in the country.

Also, he had just returned from Italy where he was vacationing with his family - and I can't think of a better way to go.