The Good of Journalism, Judged
Michele Norris (left) and Gwen Ifill (right) shared their memories of Tim Russert on today's show.
Today, we got some special rememberances of uber-political-journalist Tim Russert from NPR's own Michelle Norris, and Gwen Ifill, host of PBS's Washington Week. They are two of the best hosts in journalism. They are also black women.
I didn't know until he had passed that Russert had mentored not only Ifill, but also CNN's Suzanne Malveaux, among others. Gwen, Michelle and I spoke, among other things, about why Russert mentored younger journalists; and what kind of perspective he got from AND offered the black women he mentored.
The short answer (and Gwen and Michelle's answers are so much more evocative, so please listen) is that he wasn't afraid of different perspectives.
And while his landmark show Meet the Press offered different perspectives, it was also criticized by some for being too reliant on power, and not willing enough to challenge it.
Gwen and Michelle give us their take.
Meanwhile, this is the interchange that most often gets referenced when talking about how tough an interviewer Russert could be.
((Taped in the Oval Office of the White House on February 7, 2004; and aired on Sunday February 8, 2004)))
Russert: How do you respond to critics who say that you brought the nation to war under false pretenses?
President Bush: Yes. First of all, I expected to find the weapons. Sitting behind this desk making a very difficult decision of war and peace, and I based my decision on the best intelligence possible, intelligence that had been gathered over the years, intelligence that not only our analysts thought was valid but analysts from other countries thought were valid.
And ...
Russert: Mr. President, the Director of the CIA said that his briefings had qualifiers and caveats, but when you spoke to the country, you said "there is no doubt." When Vice President Cheney spoke to the country, he said "there is no doubt." Secretary Powell, "no doubt." Secretary Rumsfeld, "no doubt, we know where the weapons are." You said, quote, "The Iraqi regime is a threat of unique urgency." "Saddam Hussein is a threat that we must deal with as quickly as possible."
You gave the clear sense that this was an immediate threat that must be dealt with.
President Bush: I think, if I might remind you that in my language I called it a grave and gathering threat, but I don't want to get into word contests. But what I do want to share with you is my sentiment at the time. There was no doubt in my mind that Saddam Hussein was a danger to America. No doubt.
You can read the full transcript of the exchange here.
Journalism like this can change the flow of information in Washington and beyond, having a huge ripple effect.
I did not know Russert, but I will go out on not-so-narrow a limb and assume he knew that some people would look at his interviews and see bias. It's a kind of judgment every working journalist faces. And you have to make peace with it in order to do your job.
Tim Russert, journalists will miss you... especially in Election '08.
Farai Chideya
6:28 PM ET
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06-16-2008
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How Much Does Gas Cost Where You Live?
iStockphoto.com
For an upcoming series of reports, we want to know:
1) How much does gas cost per gallon where you live?
2) How have high gas prices affected your daily life, if at all?
3) If you own an SUV, have you seriously considered getting rid of it in favor of a more fuel-efficient car?
Drop us a message below ... and please be sure to leave an accurate e-mail address, so we can contact you if necessary.
Geoffrey Bennett
5:55 PM ET
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06-16-2008
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Gwen Ifill on Russert: "Goodbye to a Standup Brother"
Gwen Ifill sits with Tim Russert on the set of 'Meet The Press' in February.
Meet the Press, NBC News
As journalists, politicos, and Meet the Press fans pay tribute to Tim Russert, who died suddenly on Friday, Gwen Ifill offers this must-read for The Root:
He never had to say it, but I also know Tim considered it a bonus that, by hiring me, he was going to be able to add an African American voice to his Washington bureau -- someone who could keep up with him on politics, but also tell him stuff he didn't know. He was keenly aware that, as proud as he was of his Irish Catholic, blue collar roots, other people had different roots that they were equally proud of and that understanding those varied views of the world was important.
... I made my last appearance with him on Meet the Press a few weeks ago. We were talking about race in the context of this year's presidential contest and another panelist, Jon Meacham of Newsweek, remarked that race was a subject that made white folks queasy. I countered that black folks only get queasy talking about race when they are in conversation with white folks who get queasy talking about it. Tim's eyes twinkled when he looked at me. He absolutely loved that I was telling him something he had not thought of before.
On today's show, Farai will speak with Ifill and Michele Norris, host of NPR's All Things Considered. Both often appeared on Meet the Press and knew Russert well.
Geoffrey Bennett
12:37 PM ET
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06-16-2008
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Lifestyles & Trends: 50 Cent Denies Arson Claim
On the Show: Did 50 Cent Burn His House Down?
More Video: BlogBeat: Obama's Pep Talk Goes Viral
Geoffrey Gardner
11:19 AM ET
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06-16-2008
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