Russert had an uncanny ability to connect with ordinary people
SPECIAL TO THE NEWS
Updated: 06/22/08 6:55 AM
When a friend sent me an urgent message on Friday afternoon telling me of Tim Russert’s passing, I could not comprehend the news. I was on a business trip to Kansas City in the midst of an important client meeting. Within seconds I raced to find a computer and was in disbelief when I saw the headline on the New York Times Web site confirming the worst. It was a blow that has left me, and so many of us native Buffalonians, truly paralyzed.
It would have been 10 years ago this August when I first met Russert. I was entering my junior year at the College of the Holy Cross and, instead of spending a year abroad, I had chosen to spend a semester interning in Washington, D. C. As a political science major, I wanted to learn about politics and the media, and as a 1996 graduate of Canisius High School, there was really only one choice where to intern.
When I wrote Russert a letter asking him for an internship at “Meet the Press,” I tried not to get my hopes up. He was one of the most powerful men in Washington, who probably had hundreds of students asking him for an internship every week. But somehow my name made it on his “accept” list and I was on my way. That fall, as the nation was focused on President Bill Clinton’s impeachment hearings, I began my decade-long friendship with one of America’s most powerful figures. I will be forever indebted to him for the kindness and generosity he showed to a simple boy from his hometown of Buffalo.
From the moment I met Russert, what struck me most about him was his ability to reach out to someone like me, who had no clout in Washington and very little to offer in return.
From the moment I began my internship, he made an extra effort to inquire about my academics, future goals and the scoop on the latest football game between St. Joe’s and Canisius. He would even ask me about my thoughts on the political landscape at that time, or what my parents thought of the latest news in Washington.
In the three months I spent interning for Russert, I was floored by his interest in his interns and humbled by the time he took to speak with the individuals who were at the lowest ranks of the bureau.
As our relationship blossomed, his compassion continued throughout the years. A short time after graduating from Holy Cross, I began working for the late Sen. Daniel Patrick Moynihan as his special assistant. As a young college graduate, it was extremely intimidating to work so closely with such a powerful senator, but Russert was there to put me at ease.
As many know, he was a former chief of staff to the senator, and the two shared an almost “father-son” relationship until Moynihan’s death in 2003. One of my first duties for the senator was to drive him to a lunch date with Russert.
Russert could sense that I must have been feeling nervous about my role, and I remember him saying, “Teddy, I know this must seem surreal sometimes, but just keep your eye on the ball. After all, the senator likes us Buffalonians. Oh, and don’t forget to keep your eye on the senator, too, I never know what he’ll do next.”
These were not profound words, but the regular chatter from a man in Russert’s position gave me great comfort when I needed it most.
Our paths would cross again when I was asked to return to “Meet the Press” as a full-time researcher in the summer of 2002. Over the next four years, I became very close to him and there were times when he would invite me to join him as his guest at a Buffalo event, or just for a night out at the ball-game with the guys.
One of my fondest memories was when Russert called my extension on a random Thursday afternoon and told me to get down to his office right away. Thinking he had a major research request, or was going to grill me on a memo I had written, I raced down toward the first floor. Russert was already waiting for me by the exit to the parking lot saying, “Let’s go, first pitch is at 2:05. We’re going to see the Sox and Orioles at Camden.” For me, that was textbook Russert. Reward those who worked hard — no matter where they were in life.
As friends and admirers look back on Russert’s legacy, he will be remembered as an extraordinary journalist, devoted family man and a loyal Buffalonian. All of these traits reflect the man that millions of people came to admire and respect — and are truly deserved. But what I will miss most about Tim Russert was that he was a constant enigma in Washington, where your connections or power in politics can define your success. For me, it was his ability to reach out to those individuals who had so little to give back to him that made him the monumental figure he is in my mind.
Ted Kresse grew up in Buffalo and is now a media relations specialist for the public affairs firm, DCI Group in Washington, D. C. He was a researcher for Tim Russert from July 2002 to March 2006.
