Tim you're absolutely right on my poor judgment of poor choice of words. While I feel the news media has been melting soft to their questions for President Bush, I should not have taken out my anger on a individual. It was a pussy thing for me to say.

I'm right there with you, Tim.

A very nice tribute, Eric.

It is a cause for hope that so many in the media (as well as pols on both sides of the aisle) have recognized the integrity and professionalism of Tim Russert. Hopefully, more people will take notice and try to emulate those qualities.

OK, you people really need to take a quaalude or something. You're attacking Sam Rubin over what was a very reasonable question: are the memorials for Tim Russert going overboard?

Don't get me wrong, I don't agree with Mr. Rubin’s assertion. But to attack him for stating this opinion and not say anything about the jacka$$es above who referred to Mr. Russert as pu$$y is simply absurd. Sam Rubin’s blog was never impolite, as eluded to by yagotta, nor was it “abominable” as Dan described it. You’re using loaded language to make Sam’s statement something it was not, a suggestion that Tim Russert was somehow not important to American political culture.

Now, I believe that Mr Russert, who would be embarrassed by all the brouhaha, is nonetheless deserving of the memorials we've seen in the wake of his passing. Sam has doubts about that and he aired his concerns in an extremely professional manner while also noting how conflicted he was about doing so. You guys act like Sam's question is illegitimate - let me assure you it is not. We've all witnessed the deification of celebrities and politicians following their deaths (witness Richard Nixon and Gerald Ford) and the question deserved to be asked.

Acting indignant and throwing a fit just because someone disagrees with you is immature and a sure sign that you’re political correctness is superseding your ability to reason.

Thank you, Eric for being a man of integrity. I've always admired how you can take a light story and show the humor, and switch gears to the most serious situations and cover them with dignity.

Eric you obviously were raised right. Like the old saying goes "what goes around comes around" You give people their just dues. I can't believe that Sam said what he did. He is cold hearted. I feel sorry for him because he has to put people down to make himself feel good.
Shame on Sam. Eric you should pull Sam aside and teach him how to be polite. Not even Mark would be this cold.

Eric, how can you and your colleague, Sam Rubin have such a different opinion of a man's passing?
Today's blog from Sam is just abominable. I'm just at a loss for words at how a man can be so uncaring. His blog goes beyond Politically Un-Correct! I will never be back as a viewer to KTLA as long as Sam Rubin is employed there. I wish you would pass this on to TPTB at Tribune!

Sorry, but Fazio and George sound like your typical partisan flacks - just because Tim Russert wouldn't play soft ball with "their" candidates he's some kind of flunky for the other side, whatever that side may be.

While Mr. Russert certainly had his off days, as we all do, he was just as tough on the liberals as he was on the conservatives.

And calling him a "pussy," well that's just uncalled for (and the kind of personal epithet that a man like Tim Russert would never use). This was a guy who, if the interviewee danced around a question, refused to dance with them (regardless of their political, religious or any other affiliation) - he'd keep putting the question to them until they either answered it or revealed themselves to be "dancing" fools. You guys make him out to be the political equivalent Jay Leno.

Get off your indignant high-horses - neither of you is one-tenth as good a man as Tim Russert, either as political analyst or a human being.

Flaco, While I enjoyed his show I will always remember the ONE question he asked Dennis Kucinich. Did you see an UFO? Kucinich didn't deny it but any other question on actual important questions were denied to Kucinich. My impression of Russert. ANOTHER PUSSY COMMENTATOR OWNED BY CORPORATE AMERICA. Too bad Chris Mathews won't have anyone to play softball catch with. Oh wait, how about all those White House press correspondents who get picked if they always ask nicely. I guess I'll have to changed my name again.

Big deal... More important ppl. died & no one cared. The hell with russet he lied on tv like all the rest of the AH journalist did.

I will miss Tim Russert's passion for politics, his keen intelligence and mostly his humility. Another great one has left us far too early, we are all diminished by this loss.

I began to watch his weekly Sunday morning show regularly a few months back but I have to say that within those few months, I have come to realize how great he is with what he does. He knows the in's and out's of politics and has the ability to cover the issues without imposing any sort of bias or holding back anything that everyone needs to know. He really was a great, knowledgeable reporter and political expert. My deepest condolences goes out to his family and friends for we have truly lost someone who really knew what he was doing and did it well.

Eric, I sent an email earlier. America lost a GREAT commentaror. He might have been RIGHT WING, he might have been a *..."Tard...* but he spoke for alot of folks.

Heartfelt condolences to the Russert family.

Tim Russert was one of the best and while he wasn't a bulldog sometimes his interviews set me on the edge of my seat. He did not play. Sitting across the table from him must have been intimidating for those who had something to hide, and a joy for those who appreciated his attention to detail.

We're avid watchers of the Sunday morning political talk shows and seldom missed him on Meet the Press.

Tim Russert will be missed, especially during the coming presidential conventions and election.

A truly sad day.. My condolences go out to the Russert family especially as Father's Day is just around the corner. May God bless them with strength and serenity to accept such a sad occasion.