NBC's Tim Russert Dies From Heart Attack

Tim Russert (May 7, 1950 – June 13, 2008) passed away today:

Tim Russert, who pointedly but politely questioned hundreds of the powerful and influential as moderator of NBC's "Meet the Press," died Friday of an apparent heart attack. The network's Washington bureau chief was 58.

President Bush, informed while at dinner in Paris, swiftly issued a statement of condolence that praised the NBC newsman as "an institution in both news and politics for more than two decades. Tim was a tough and hardworking newsman. He was always well-informed and thorough in his interviews. And he was as gregarious off the set as he was prepared on it."

Tim had the rare knack of p*ssing off both sides of the aisle.
He will be missed.
Please remember his family and friends in your prayers.

UPDATE: Beto Ochoa wrote this for the Russert family:

Ode to Tim Russert

There’s a hole in the world where a good man stood
And a vacuum in his place
Where the wind of sorrow rushes in
O’er the shadow of his face

Left in the wake of his wit and verve
The waters yet are rippled
Now the footprints of a giant to fill
With a loss that leaves us crippled

So who will raise the standard here
Where he fell and left it lying
In a moment please, if you don’t mind
Give us just a pause for crying

John Cole has thoughts.