Stop (Meeting the) Presses - Tim Russert Dies at 58

Sometimes a loss is so sudden, and so fast, and happens to someone so young, vibrant, intelligent, and, yes, important, that all you can do is shake your head and relay the tragic news:

Tim Russert, NBC journalist and political heavyweight host of "Meet the Press," has died after collapsing at NBC's Washington news bureau, a source said. He was 58 years old.

Russert, who rose from the inside world of politics where he was former New York Gov. Mario Cuomo's press secretary and one-time chief of staff to the late Sen. Daniel Patrick Moynihan, was able to successfully cross over to political journalism and rise to become one of its leading lights.

In his role as host of the seminal Sunday morning political program "Meet the Press" - which he took over in 1991 - he became renowned for his hard-nosed interviews where he frequently cornered some of Washington's cagiest political figures with tough questions.

Deepest condolences to the Russert family, NBC, and frankly, all of America.

[NY Post]