No, that's not a typo. It's a journalistic symbol that denotes the end of a wire service story.But Tim Russert, who died today at the all too young age of 58, was no wire service reporter, though if he had been one he would have excelled. Russert was perhaps the premier American TV journalist of his generation. How fitting, then, that Tom Brokaw, who will forever be associated with The Greatest Generation, shoud announce Russert's unexpected death. Indeed, how appropriate for Russert to die on a Friday afternoon, the slowest time in traditional news, when the Saturday edition has basically been put to bed and the editors are starting on their desk stash of scotch in the office before hitting the bar.
Russert wouldn't want to have become the story, but by the same token, he'd want the story out -- and accurate -- as soon as possible.
From what I've heard, Russert was passionate about politics and public policy. He was perfect for Meet the Press. I had hoped to meet him one day.
I can't help but wonder who will succeed him. I wonder if Brokaw might serve as the moderator for Meet the Press on Sunday, though he retired a few years ago. Whoever is the next host of that show will have much to aspire to.
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