June
15Bidding Bye-Bye to Russert
I never got to meet Tim Russert and I’m sure he was a memorable figure. Nonetheless, at the risk of sounding curmudgeonly, it seems fair to point out that the amount of broadcast time devoted to his passing exceeded that accorded a head of state. Peter Jennings’ death was a mere blip in the media compared with Russert’s.
What accounts for this blizzard of attention? The Washington press corps – a tight fraternity – clearly held Russert in high respect and affection. But I wonder if there’s something else at play here. The past eight years of the Bush presidency have been frustrating, if not downright humiliating for the press. Reporters were manipulated and embarrassed by Karl Rove’s operatives. The press blew the Iraq story.
Hence the Russert phenomenon feels curiously like one of those
“I’m OK, you’re OK” moments. The Washington press corps is telling us they care for their own, and that at least one member of the fraternity did his best to hold up journalistic standards these last few years.
OK, we get it. Now can we move on?
Subscribe to Peter Bart's Blog Feed
Peter Bart, you're so funny. Next to you, Russert seems like an unsuspecting Carolyn Keane painting.
i didn't watch Russert much, but he seemed like the kind of sweet guy to whom you could give your ATM pin number.
And while i live in california and am constantly apologizing for my brutishness, i'm from new york (like all quaker puerto ricans born in the 'sixties), and love love love your new blog. LOVE it.
and i'm more stunned at carlin's passing. cripes. now the rest of us have got to step up to bring comedy back to reflecting on the states of the union instead of soft and fluffy carolyn keane dreck.
mort sahl's still hanging in there, right?
Posted by: ERIKA LOPEZ | 6/25/2008 5:00:33 PM
'OK, we get it. Now can we move on?'
I feel the same way about this excuse for journalism you call a blog.
Peter I certainly hope that your own passing is not greeted with such a disgusting insensitivity. The man's life meant something. Every person's life means something.
Posted by: Appalled | 6/18/2008 8:03:09 AM
Russert was loved, Jennings was respected. Russert had a midwest, everyman quality that people dug, and his books were pure Horatio Alger. He was not your usual wealthy scion who finds himself with a journalism hobby in Washington, Tim Russert's dad was the garbage man.
Posted by: Big Bomb | 6/16/2008 2:57:06 PM
Was this written to get attention for your new blog? If not, why write it. You said yourself that there was too much ink used regarding coverage on Tim''s passing.
Posted by: A Friend | 6/16/2008 2:14:42 PM