Tim Russert Dead at 58

PlusTim Russert Dead at 58Tim Russert Dead at 58The Associated PressTim Russert, host of NBC's "Meet the Press" and its Washington bureau chief collapsed and died at work Friday after suffering an apparent heart attack. (June 13)He was the very epitome of a Washington journalist.Tim Russert, the longest serving host on T-V's longest running program, died Friday, at work.He was tough, inquisitive and unrelenting in his coverage of Washington politics. SOT RussertWhat double talk are suggesting Sen. Clinton has been engaging in on Iran?It was that style and his ambition that led some to call him the most influential journalist in Washington and helped make Meet the Press the most watched Sunday interview program. And his passing caught the network and all of Washington off guard.SOT BrokawIt is my sad duty to report this afternoon that my friend and colleague Tim Russert, the moderator of Meet the Press and N-B-C's Washington bureau chief collapsed and died early this afternoon.The list of those who sat down with him reads as a who's who in politics, including presidents Clinton and Bush as well as Senators Barack Obama, John McCain and Hillary Clinton.Beyond that he had hosted a number of debates including this one from 1999.In fact he was so in the know he was called to testify in the C-I-A leak case about what he knew.SOT NBC correspondent Tim Russert came up several times as potential witnesses.Already everyone from President Bush to Senate Majority leader Harry Reid are sending their condolences and House Minority Leader John Beohner is calling him "one of the smartest, toughest television news journalists of all time."Tim Russert, dead at the age of 58. ___ ___, The Associated Press.