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I do not know him. Yet, I do know him from ten feet,in front of the TV.Sunday after Sunday, I had watched him question, grill, confront and challenge leader after leader of various shades, shapes and political leanings. Tim Russert always came well-prepared. That was his forte. It was never his intention to humiliate a person but he would extract the truth even if it is like extracting blood from a rock.This tall, burly man with a ready smile, had a an in-built instinct for Politics and the ways of the politicians.

Russert was one of those rare broadcasters who did not adopt a self-righteous attitude. He specialized in quoting the interviewee's earlier views on the subject on hand and their present stand;
and giving him/her a chance to explain or extricate himself. He had an acute political sense and when analyzing any political issue he took care to see that he did not show any bias one way or other.Fair, he was. Balanced he was. That was his style. He was not the 'Gotcha' sort of guy. While not being obsequious he gave due respect to everyone. It was a pleasure watching him analyze the progress of the Democratic Nomination race between Obama and Hillary.What many remember is his placard on which he had written"Florida, Florida, Florida" to indicate which way the wind was finally blowing.

Russert did his homework assiduously and came ready for follow-up questions till he got answers. Friday 13th was an unlucky day for everyone this year. Russert passed away. He faded away in glory.News of his death was like a thunderbolt for his admiring viewers, as if one of the family had passed away.

It is one thing for a death to be condoled in a formal way. Death gives even those who do not deserve it, an aura. But in his case, it was his peers in the profession who shed tears for him.They gave tributes from the heart and often with a tear drop in the corner of their eyes. Keith Olberman who did a whole day of tributes to Tim was in the point of bursting into tears any moment as he spoke affectionately about Tim and Tim's work ethics. So did all the others. Even Hannitty.

Tim spoke proudly of his enduring relationship with his father and bonding with his son, both of whom he adored.It was perhaps a 'last hurrah' on 8th June , when, instead of the usual 'Meet the Press' interview with some celebrity, he assembled all his colleagues for a sort of round table discussion. Was he saying Adieu! for ever?

Even for those ike me who have no direct relations with him except through the TV medium, there was a lump in the throat as a procession of his colleagues shared their experiences and sorrow.

When another such?

Learn more about this author, Vengrai Parthasarathy.
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