First of all, I respect who Tim Russert was as a person and a journalist.  He created a legacy that matters to this country.

I would note however that I resented his insertion of opinion in the guise of "facts" (often within loaded questions),  and ultimately mislead the American People on numerous issues such as social security, abortion, and politics in general.  He certainly had the right to determine which "facts" that he felt appropriate to highlight, but as his power increased, he should have been humble enough to realize that others were misusing his characterizations as facts and he began to "make the news" and "shape the conventional wisdom" rather than being a journalist.

His repeating the Obama line about  how Superdelegates wouldn't want to overturn the  will of the people as shown by his tally of  "elected delegates" was an example of his work.  Sure, many Democrats in power said that, but mostly it was spin that became reality through people like Russert.  Russert could have just as easily been on a rampage to show how "elected delegates" didn't represent the will of the elected people (Nevada, Texas,Was.,Neb.) , and this election would have been totally different.

Also, his patented questions about politicians' positions on abortion were very narrow and again limited the parameters of the discussion.  Often, he would ask Republicans "do you support exceptions for rape and life of the mother" or "what penalties would there be for a woman who had an abortion".  For Democrats he would ask the when do you believe life begins question.

He was better than most are today, but again he became too much of an institution in and of himself.

My critique on this issue is that there are many follow ups that he never went into, and many other areas he left untouched that should have been explored.  But it was as though, if Tim Russert didn't ask it, then it really doesn't matter.

For instance:

(pro life side)

Ask Republicans: in a real sense, "aren't you and the party pro-choice?  You promise to uphold the current law with your oath, Republicans have controlled government at all levels over the past 20 years, and we still have over 1 million abortions each year?  We have seen Republicans go to great lengths to cut taxes under every possible economic circumstance, why aren't you that committed to reducing and eliminating abortions?

or

challenging liberal democrats who advocate government help for the weakest among us to extend that to unborn children.

(pro choice side)

How could you possibly argue that the removal of  undifferented cells  from a woman's body is the moral equalivalent of murder, when the average woman has numerous "spontaneous abortions" (miscarriages) in her lifetime oftentimes not even missing a menstrual cycle?

If you believe that a human life begins at conception and deserves protection under the law, then why not name the baby at the first recognition of pregnancy, and have funerals and death certificates for every known miscarriage?

Would you want to live in an America where the government actually tried to stop all abortions?

The above questions include my opinions, but I make an effort to expand the range of legitimate questions and include more perspective.  Tim Russert was one person who became bigger than his profession.

Of course, that is really more our and the rest of the political world's fault and not Tim's.  

So God Bless Tim Russert.
 A job well done.

--
Looking Forward, I've heard all the speculation about:

Andrea Mitchell
Chuck Todd
Chris Matthews
Tom Brokaw

But no African American. No Latino. No Asian.

Also:No different "Types of people" like:

An overweight woman, a disabled person, a western conservative, a southern liberal,etc.,

Barack Obama (at the appropriate time of course) should take this opportunity to establish his understanding of Affirmative Action.

I hope it is:

1. a well qualified person
2. a person who brings life experience to a job or position that traditionally has been excluded or overlooked.

The beauty of our country is that we have included many more people in power than others around the world.  This gives us a better chance at success.  At solving big problems, making big discoveries, and in general prospering.  There's no reason an unattractive-overweight person can't be a great t.v. personality but there's a bias against them.  

Race and gender are the biggest issue with affirmative action and rightfully so.  But I want to people, especially Obama to establish that the principle to make sure every person has an equal chance to reach their God-given potential.

The short list for the next MTP host is very traditional and "inside Washington".

Barrack Obama can be an agent for change today by delineating how America benefits when we truly consider all qualified people for every important position.

Tim Russert made his position very important, even in ways that I disagree.  But now we need to make sure every person has a chance to grow up being a Tim Russert.

Senator Obama you can help with a great speech on this topic, and while you should definitely include race and gender, it should be expanded to included many more Americans now being left out but have talent to succeed.

Here's another short list:

Harold Ford
Gerry Nadler
Juan Williams
Connie Chung
Shelby Steele
Katie Couric
Clarence Page
Barbara Lee
Mike Huckabee
Hillary Clinton