MyDD :: Tim Russert's Signature Question (Updated)

Tim Russert's Signature Question (Updated)

by Jacob Freeze, Sun Jun 15, 2008 at 12:46:40 PM EST

Meet the Press, January 4, 2004:

MR. RUSSERT: Dick Gephardt, one of Governor Dean's opponents, had this to say. "There's a pattern with Governor Dean...first, say something indefensible. Then deny you ever said it. Then when it's proven you said it, don't tell anybody why you said it. And then go and say it all over again." Bill Safire, is that a good formula?

Is that a good formula?

Yes, Tim, it's a wonderful formula, just like your formula for bashing Howard Dean every chance you got, and your formula for tossing softballs to Rumsfeld and Cheney in the run-up to the invasion of Iraq, and your formula for recycling every buzz-word that ever buzzed around the Beltway into meaningless "questions."

It was a good enough formula to produce slightly higher ratings than your idiot clones on the other networks, and nothing else really mattered.

My relatively mild send-up of a typical Russert interview called forth so many bathetic elegies to fatherhood that I might as well make the situation a little clearer:

The 4000 Americans who have already died in Iraq also had fathers and sons, and the 1,200,000 Iraqis who have already died under the American occupation also had fathers and sons, and if Russert and the rest of the whores in the Washington media whore-house had done their jobs and asked the hard questions and pushed Rumsfeld and Cheney to answer them instead of patiently hearing out their long-winded recapitulations of Republican talking points, all those fathers and sons who died while Russert sucked up to the lords of Washington might still be alive.

For all I know Russert may have been an ideal father in his own little family, but for hundreds of thousands of other families he was just another media whore who sold them out for his moment in the sun.

Tags: Tim Russert (all tags)

Permalink :: 18 Comments :: Post a Comment

Doing much gravedancing, Jacob? (2.00 / 5)

You'll find a better reception at H44. They're positively cheering the casket over there.

should we go outside? / should we break some bread? / are you'nterested?

by Firewall on Sun Jun 15, 2008 at 12:49:24 PM EST

Jacob Freeze's signature question. (2.00 / 3)

Is he a troll, and because of this diary, an asshole?

Yes.

Users who are excessively bashing the Democratic Party, or being Republican trolls, will be banned.

by Massadonious on Sun Jun 15, 2008 at 01:09:47 PM EST

Re: Tim Russert's Signature Question (2.00 / 3)

Wow. I too had some issues with Russert but have some decency. Now is the time to reflect on a man of many accomplishments. You'll have the rest of your life to be critical of him. Doing so now is a bit tacky at the least.

"It is time for me to step aside and let history blaze its path." - John Edwards

by TNDem08 on Sun Jun 15, 2008 at 01:15:46 PM EST

Re: Tim Russert's Signature Question (2.00 / 2)

You are a soulless bastard.

by Cheebs on Sun Jun 15, 2008 at 01:19:40 PM EST

Re: Tim Russert's Signature Question (2.00 / 4)

The man's not even in the ground yet. Get some class.

by authority song on Sun Jun 15, 2008 at 01:21:46 PM EST

Douchebag. (1.70 / 10)

Go ahead and troll rate me. It has to be said.

Tasteless, offensive, pathetic douchebag.

by spunkmeyer on Sun Jun 15, 2008 at 02:27:38 PM EST

Ratings trolls. (1.50 / 4)

PJ Jefferson and aliveandkickin have decided they dislike my opinions so much that they're going to track down every comment I've ever made and troll rate them.

If site admins were watching, these two trolls would be punted.

But I'm not holding my breath.

by spunkmeyer on Sun Jun 15, 2008 at 02:48:59 PM EST
[ Parent ]

I'd uprate you (2.00 / 3)

but I am unable to use my ability to rate or rec for a while...

Student Guy=JoeMentum. No really Student Guy=JoeMentum, after all JoeMentum was an embarrassment so is Student Guy. This sig is FAIL!!

by Student Guy on Sun Jun 15, 2008 at 02:57:25 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Ratings trolls. (none / 0)

Don't worry about it. Remember that according to Jerome the ratings system on this site does not affect abilities AT ALL. They serve no purpose other than hidding comments for admin review.

John McCain - That third Bush term you always dreamed of.

by Didion on Sun Jun 15, 2008 at 04:11:12 PM EST
[ Parent ]

My question (2.00 / 3)

does Jacob Freeze live under a bridge?

The answer is yes.

(note trolls live under bridges).

Student Guy=JoeMentum. No really Student Guy=JoeMentum, after all JoeMentum was an embarrassment so is Student Guy. This sig is FAIL!!

by Student Guy on Sun Jun 15, 2008 at 02:56:52 PM EST

Re: My question (1.50 / 2)

Forgive me for moving off course a bit, but why are you posting? I thought that you offered up a great big teary goodbye diary? Frankly, I didn't read the big dust up. But I can't figure you out. You get involved in nasty situations, then decry someone else for being a troll.

The truth is, that generally speaking, I've agreed with most of what you've written around here. But watching all your drama from afar, I can't help but wonder if there's something wrong with you. You should make good on your promise to get lost for awhile.

by reconad on Sun Jun 15, 2008 at 03:38:12 PM EST
[ Parent ]

I was convince to come back by the majority (2.00 / 3)

comments in my diary I wrote as well as the comments/email I've received.

And yes I was overly dramatic in that diary I can now see, feel free to insult me all you wish with that, no skin off my back as i was and it will serve as atonement.

Also Jacob Freeze here is a troll (they live under bridges according to popular children's lit like the three bill goats gruff) and I was punning off of his troll-ness. If you don't believe that go and look at his diary history, the one mocking the Clinton's and the Obama's should clear up any misconceptions about that.

Student Guy=JoeMentum. No really Student Guy=JoeMentum, after all JoeMentum was an embarrassment so is Student Guy. This sig is FAIL!!

by Student Guy on Sun Jun 15, 2008 at 03:46:12 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: I was convince to come back by the majority (none / 0)

Your first instinct to take a break was probably the best one.

Most MyDDers do not wish to go look at diarists' and posters' histories, believe it or not.

Most have full lives and commitments that are far more important than spending their limited time involving themselves so deeply in other people's opinions.

I am a strong advocate of using the "delete" button. Probably one half or more of what is posted here should have been deleted by the commenter or diarist.

Excess energy can be used in many productive ways other than posting and reading what is on the internet. This is the start of a beautiful season- summer- and there is much to see and do in the world.

All things in moderation - good for your health.

by susie on Sun Jun 15, 2008 at 06:54:28 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Thank you for demonstrating how not (2.00 / 1)

to be.

Your purpose is to smear a person while his family mourns his death - why else would you post this now?

I just hope you don't agree with me on anything.

Troll is too nice a word.

"A ship in port is safe, but that is not what ships are for. Sail out to sea and do new things." Admiral Grace Hopper, computer pioneer

by chrisblask on Sun Jun 15, 2008 at 03:27:34 PM EST

Re: Tim Russert's Signature Question (2.00 / 1)

I refrained from bashing Russert because of his untimely loss. But is this diary any more tasteless than Russert abdicating his duties and not asking tough questions which led to many untimely deaths?

Unfortunately I blame the culture of DC journalism more than Russert himself. There are just too many Russert types who seem to have thye talent and drive, but fall prey to the temptation to be friends with powerful men.

by Pravin on Sun Jun 15, 2008 at 03:32:30 PM EST

Re: Tim Russert's Signature Question (none / 0)

I wrote a long rebuttal to this comment but in the end I realized that you didn't the time spent doing that. Tim Russert was revered as one of the best and brightest people covering the political spectrum by someo of the best and brightest people in the political spectrum. Because you saw him for a couple hours a week, that alone allows you to come to the learned conclusion that he abdicated his duties by not asking the tough questions? Whatever - he asked tough questions, he didn't have to be adversarial doing it. There is a difference between probing and baiting.

Congratulations Steny Hoyer! Our 2008 Chickenshit Leader Of The Year!

by RockvilleLiberal2 on Sun Jun 15, 2008 at 03:52:13 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Abjectly deferential 2 Bush-Cheney-Rummy-Rice (none / 0)

when it mattered, in the run up to the invasion of Iraq. 'Nuff said. Russert bashing wouldn't be necessary if it weren't for ridiculously laudatory comments like yours amplified a million times in the 'Russert was a journalistic God' media love storm we're currently experiencing.

We can no longer afford to worship the god of hate or bow before the altar of retaliation. Martin Luther King Jr.

by fairleft on Mon Jun 16, 2008 at 12:54:02 AM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Tim Russert's Signature Question (none / 0)

I am sure Russert had the drive and the talent. It is clear he succumbed to the "want to be friends with DC" syndrome MANY journalists fall prey to. I did not say he is one of the worst.

And if you are not convinced, explain to me why Cheney would have a note advising to go on Meet the Press because Russert is easy for them to have their way.

When Dean went on Russert, Russert played a ridiculous game of gotcha by asking him how many troops were enlisted or some crap like that. When Dean gave a rough estimate, Russert badgered him why he wasnt sure if he was planning on becoming President. By thw way, Russert never asked the Bushies anything like that.

Also I dont pay much credence to fellow TV journalists praising Russert so much because they succumb to the same temptations. Read up on Greenwald's excellent salon columns in recent weeks where he exposes Charles Gibson and Brian Williams.

Russert is hardly a bad guy. But he exhibited major weaknesses and did very little at the time to ask the really tough followups. Asking a tough question and letting it go was simply not enough.

by Pravin on Mon Jun 16, 2008 at 03:24:37 AM EST
[ Parent ]

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