Why We Mourn Tim Russert’s Passing

Did you cry this weekend over Tim Russert’s death?

I did. Several times.

It makes no sense, I know. I didn’t know the man. I never even glimpsed him on a Washington street (and having lived in Washington DC for numerous years-believe me- it’s not a big town. Ted Koppel, former host of Nightline, used to get his lunchtime sandwich where I got mine.)

So why am I so emotional about his passing?

I believe it goes to something we have discussed on this blog before: it’s about passion and greatness.

Who do you know that is passionate about something they do? Not about their children or their family- but about going to work every single day?

And who do you know that is also great at what they do- along with having that passion?

With Tim Russert, you could see the passion oozing from his very pores. Passion is attractive. People want to be around someone who is passionate. They want to hear what they have to say and watch what they do.

Why?

Because we rarely see it.

Just a few weeks ago, Mr. Russert’s passion was on full view on the night of the Indiana and North Carolina primaries when he said that Senator Obama would be the democratic nominee. This was well after midnight east coast time. Actually, if I remember correctly, it might have been after 1 am.

Yet, Mr. Russert didn’t look tired. His face still glowed.

Only a few hours later, literally, he was on the Today Show talking about the same thing with Matt Lauer. Did the man even sleep that night?

You got the feeling he was running on pure adrenalin- but he loved it! He loved every minute of it.

And therefore- so did we. You couldn’t help but get sucked in by his enthusiasm.

Who can say that every single day of their lives they are doing something they love?

That’s why I cried over his death. I loved watching the passion. Because it’s rare. And it’s rarely on display every single week (even if I only get it passively- by watching tv.)

Passionate people are many times “great” people- because they love what they do they’re usually pretty darn good at what they do. Funny how it works that way.

We’ve talked about greatness before.

Tim Russert was passion and greatness in his profession.

I celebrate his gifts and wait for the day when passion again returns to the news room.

Thank you, Tim Russert.