I was very new to dailykos when Tim Russert died.  I cried when I heard the news - perhaps because he was younger than me and I had a heart attack myself in January, alone at home, and I survived with the help of 911 and some great caregivers. I was appalled at some of the negative comments written here about him then.  Perhaps some of those who were so critical then have had time to reconsider.

How on earth do they take a poll these days?  People that are at home with a land line and time to take a poll must be few and far between but they also must be conservative to a point to be in that block of potential voters.  At home at dinner time with a land line. It reminds me of the early days of the war in Iraq when we heard how the Iraqis were happy we were there (80%-20% or some such stupid odds) and I couldn't figure out how they got those numbers. Without basic services I couldn't imagine there were telephones readily available and doing the man on the street thing seemed dangerous as all get out.
 How can one poll show Obama up by 15 and another almost even? You notice not a one has McCain in the lead. We know Republicans are audacious but how audacious is the question now. We also know they have to make it look sorta close in order to steal it.
 

This diary is cross-posted to my blog, where I've posted the actual and full letter from the FBI.

Whatever you think of her, even the staunchest critic will have to admit: Andrea Mitchell is playing the game real well right now.  

Better than Brett Favre will ever do with the Packers in their current drama. Probably better than Ken Jennings did on Jeopardy a few years ago.

She’s playing it so well that someone (whether begrudgingly or angrily) needed to bestow accolades to her for doing so. Sentiments of scorn and disgust for the wife of Alan Greenspan need not apply in this objective and rather penetrating look at a polarizing character playing an angle just as complex as the ones on a sphere.  That sphere in this instance being the new host of Meet the Press.

For those interested in movements in the media, the following was officially announced today:

NEW YORK — July 28, 2008 — NBC News announced today that Mark Whitaker has been named Chief of the network's Washington, D.C. bureau. His appointment fills a vacancy left by the untimely death of Tim Russert in June. Whitaker, a veteran, award-winning journalist who is currently a Senior Vice President at NBC News, will assume his duties immediately. The announcement was made by NBC News President Steve Capus, to whom Whitaker will report.

Remember the Newsweek Koran incident? Mark Whitaker.

more...

In the wake of Phil Gramm's disastrous "whiners" remarks three weeks ago, John McCain claimed his close friend and key economic adviser "does not speak for me - I speak for me."  Sadly for Mr. Straight Talk, Gramm that very day was in New York meeting with the Wall Street Journal editorial board to explain McCain's economic policies.  Now, as it turns out, on issues from the economy and foreign policy to a timetable for withdrawal from Iraq, John McCain doesn't speak for John McCain.

On this Hump Day, I hope you got to be or will be able to assume whichever role you want - either humpee or humper. I wonder what the candidates' stance on Hump Day is? Inquiring minds want to know!

I've got nothing else "Intro" - wise; I've felt like my alarm just went off all day today. So, on to tonight's Countdown diary!

In the gushing remembrances that are sure to come in the next few days about the passing of Tony Snow, it's probably wise to also pause for a reality check.  Snow was a not terrible guy who will ultimately be remembered for serving as the elegant mouthpiece for an administration that had no other way to peddle its wares -- in other words, he was, for a time, the administration's principle bullshit salesman.

This is made evident by a 2007 exchange that Snow had with another recently-departed journalist, Tim Russert:

CNN just reported that Tony Snow is dead. More to follow. Not sure what happened. May be related to the cancer he had or something else. I've not heard the news from other networks yet but will update as soon as possible. This is going to be huge and I imagine there will be a Tim Russert type coverage over this weekened

This diary is cross posted to my blog, where I've posted a photo of the despicable Jesse Helms, and where you'll also find links to the Gaye and GAA files.

Something to chatter about on a Monday night/evening.  We know that Tom Brokaw is holding down the fort through the election on Meet the Press.

But late last week, Washington Whispers reported that Bob Costas' name has surfaced as a contender to succeed Tim Russert as permanent host.

As the NBC peacock spreads its wings even further to search for a new Meet the Press host to replace the late Tim Russert, the name of Olympics host and storied sportscaster Bob Costas has surfaced. TV executives, noting his steady and unbiased presentation of sports and news when he fills in for Larry King on CNN, say that he's got just the right temperament and approach for the Sunday newsmaker show. We are hearing this directly from somebody who knew Russert well and held top jobs in network TV news. Asked by our Liz Halloran whom he'd recommend to replace Russert, the exec said that he "wouldn't think twice—Bob Costas. He'd be terrific, spectacular."

Or your own. I want you to be with us this fall and beyond.  We all have our part to play in the election, and in the world in general, so stay healthy and stick around for it! Tim Russert’s sudden passing brought up the topics  of heart disease and how to have a healthier lifestyle, and that certainly got me over some recidivism with my own lifestyle choices.  Since my health coaching class had an assignment last year to pretend we each had been diagnosed with heart disease, and to research what we would need and where we would find it, I thought I’d share some of our ideas and resources.

The weeks have blurred together lately, for obvious reasons. I don't stop by for awhile, then I read I'm AWOL. And I don't do a Comment blasting Obama, and I read somebody wrote something over-the-top about my lack of principles.

I think it was last Thursday or Friday - dates and quotes aren't going to be exact here and you can forgive that or not - that we had John Dean on, to try to explain Senator Obama's rationalization of voting for the telecom civil immunity in the FISA bill.

Simply put, what John said quelled any anger simmering beneath my surface. Because John Dean is the smartest person I've ever met.

though I think the celebration/honoring of Tim Russert was a bit self-serving for the Media and NBC in specific, as is always the case, I took something from it. though Tim was a referee and loved the game, in his death he rose above it. since I am not so dedicated to the game, not a fan of it, I felt that was important.

Now that more than a week has passed since Tim Russert died, it's time to look objectively at whether or not he really was such a great "journalist", if he was even a journalist at all.

If you go to MediaMatters.org and look up Russert, over 540 items come up.  Most of these are examples of Russert's distortions, dishonesty, and downright bad "journalism".

I watched Meet The Press today. How I miss Tim Russert. First of all, I don't like Brian Williams. He just repeats all the repugs talking points as valid issues, and then glosses over McBush flip flops and gaffes.

Andrea Mitchell is another phony. Their big meme now is that BO did not keep his word about public financing. What a crock. Like if the system is not totally broken, and let’s not forget McBush fundraising progress -(sarcasm).

We all know that the media is partial and covering up for McSame. Today at MTP this has never been more evident.

Of course Lindsay presents the repugs new propaganda; let’s opened up our shores for oil drilling, b/c gas is at $4.00 a gallon. Biden made all the valid counterpoints about that, and Graham keeps repeating over and over the same bs. He reminds me of Mrs. McSame robotic/preprogrammed repetition of "I have always been proud of my Country" jive to MO.

This morning on Meet The Press, Brian Williams announced that Tom Brokaw will be the moderator of the show through the 2008 November elections. Brian added that it was an honor to host the show this morning and said that he may be back from time to time to fill in as moderator.

While it remains unclear whether Brokaw will maintain the position through the 2008 elections I'd say that the odds are probably better than 50/50 that he stays on. What are people's thoughts about Brokaw taking the position if this is true? I think its a far better option than say, Chris Matthews for the MTP format and would be content with it. While he may not be Russert I think he can maintain the tradition of hard questioning and journalistic objectivity that Tim was able to juggle for so many years.

Go Tim, Up Into the Heavenly Arms of God