Why Tim Russert Was Never Invited to the Big Party

Human Events ^ | 06/16/2008 | Mark Skousen

[abran770]

If the truth be told (and I’m about to tell you the truth based on an encounter I had last year), the late great Tim Russert scared the established politicos to death. Amidst the accolades coming from the Republican and Democratic leaders following his heart attack on Friday, the fact is that Russert was the toughest interrogator in the media. He was a modern-day Howard Cosell (without the bravado), and for the top brass, he was too intimidating.

Ever wonder why Russert was never asked to be the moderator of the presidential debates?

I wondered the same question, and luckily, I found out the answer. I ran into Russert at a National's baseball game last year and asked him why he was never invited to the big debate. "You're the toughest interviewer in the business," I told him. Continued -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Sponsored Links: Free Book arms you with powerful answers to liberal lies BRIC Investor Report: Brazil, Russia, India & China stocks Newt Gingrich Weekly: Winning the Future Huge Profits from ETFs in 5 Easy Steps

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His response. "That's the problem. When my name was proposed as the moderator, both the Republican and Democratic Party operatives vetoed me because they hated how I went after their candidates with the tough questions."

Instead, the party establishment went with the PBS's Jim Lehrer, known for his soft inquiries.

Russert re-energized a moribund Meet the Press with his unrelenting grilling of guests. He was always prepared with past statements or video clips that might embarrass a government official. He wouldn’t let candidates get away with evasive answers. Viewers loved his hard-nosed style but politicos were always nervous about what Russert would ask next.

He also exposed the vulnerabilities of candidates. I well remember a series of questions he peppered Republican libertarian Ron Paul on his tax policy (fortunately, Russert was invited occasionally to participate in the primary debates). Congressman Paul said he favored abolishing the IRS and the federal income tax. Russert zeroed in on the implications of this radical surgery. He demanded, “Since the income tax represents 60% of federal revenues, what government agencies would you eliminate?” Paul didn’t have a good answer. Russert’s probing exposed Paul’s naivete. Ron Paul would have been smarter to recommend a flat tax rather than outright abolishing the income tax, as ideal as that might sound.

Despite being a thorough-going social democrat, Russert seldom played favorites. Anyone, Republican or Democrat, could be the subject of his devastating cross-examination.

I can now say with some authority: Tim Russert will be sorely missed -- not by the politicians and their handlers, but by the voters and citizens of this nation.

[Christian4Bush]

mark

[Bushwacker777]

Check out how people commented on his death over at Democratic Underground. I guess you could just google his name and democratic underground forums.

[freeplancer]

Wow, the thought of TR being the “toughest interrogator in the media” says it all....the media is worthless

[popdonnelly]

You’re unlikely to find a more “wretched hive of scum and villainy”.

[KingSnorky]

“You’re unlikely to find a more ‘wretched hive of scum and villainy’.”

[Reaching for my light sabre ... ]

[EagleUSA]

You’re unlikely to find a more “wretched hive of scum and villainy”.
::::::
Yes, the Congress now reminds me of the bar scene in Star Wars....and the statement is true !!

[Oldexpat]

The first 2000 names in the national phone directory could ask better tougher questions than Tim or any of the media.

[lesser_satan]

Wretched hive of scum and villainy?

COUNT ME IN!!!

[Recovering_Democrat]

I laughed my ass off when I saw a local station’s story today about Russert’s willingness to “put politicians on the grill”, or whatever the phrase was...they went back FOUR YEARS AGO to a question he asked Bush about Iraq.

Now never mind that Russert had done a VERY recent Democrat operative debate, and put the LIBERALS on the spot...they decided to go back four years. And never did they show Russert ripping a liberal, as Russert certainly did just a few weeks ago.

Most people who continue to hand wring on the air over Tim Russert aren’t journalist enough to carry the man’s scripts.

[Proud_USA_Republican]

As Ann Coulter points out. The majority of the MSM media is the far left debating the moderate left in some pathetic attempt to appear unbiased.

[11th Commandment]

The accolades from Tim’s peers in the MSM that he was fair and tough are honest, but do they deserve all the praise? Shouldn’t all journalists be tough and fair? The MSM has become so accustom to coddling Celebrities and hacking for the liberals they forgot or where never taught what journalism is about. In a different time, Tim would have received rightful compliments about the person he was, family man and a genuine person, but would have the praise about his work continued on for days and days?

[Dr. Ursus]

Jar Jar Binks from President!

[True Republican Patriot]

Great Post! however You now Owe Us a post of Ann’s picture, Our Great Leader, side by side with El Rushbo!!
Damn the Demorats, if they had any brains whatsoeer, they would Love Ann and Rush too, and they would LOVE AMERICA instead of hating America! GOD BLESS ANN and RUSH!!!!
NBC, NOW HERE THIS! WE DEMAND ANN COULTER TAKES OVER THE SEAT VACATED BY TIM RUSSERT AT MEET THE PRESS!!!!!! NBC, Your viewership will quadruple at MTP with Ann at the helm!
GO ANN COULTER FOR MEET THE PRESS!! Screw the Leftwing Moonbats!

[Defiant]

With Democrats there was a line he would not cross. They don't even like it when you ask moderately tough questions. With Republicans, there was no line. When he battled a Dem, he was still on their side; it was like a Yankees fan discussing strategy with Steinbrenner. "Why'd you trade Jay Buehner!"

With Republicans, it was, "Why are you so slimy".

But he was better than most at trying to be fair, he just couldn't completely pull it off.

[gunnedah]

May his soul rest but he was a Partisan.

[Syncro]

Congressman Paul said he favored abolishing the IRS and the federal income tax. Russert zeroed in on the implications of this radical surgery. He demanded, “Since the income tax represents 60% of federal revenues, what government agencies would you eliminate?” Paul didn’t have a good answer.

Paul missed a good opportunity.

The answer is: All governmental agencies where powers are relegated to the States and not the federal government.

That's Dept of Education for starters.

I do think that the agencies where tax dollars are used by the fed gov which are unconstitutional is far more than 60%

[N. Theknow]

Russert was the toughest interrogator in the media.

In other news, Mario Mendoza was an all-star for his Little League team.

[oyez]

Tim Russert was fair, tough, honest sometimes.

I appreciated Tim's lack of ego injection, but I stopped watching the major nets years ago.

[CJ Wolf]

“The answer is: All governmental agencies where powers are relegated to the States and not the federal government.”

I’m pretty certain that was the answer Paul gave. It’s been his standard answer to that question. It’s obvi that the author of this piece decided it wasn’t a good answer.