Tim Russert | 1950-2008

Democratic presidential hopeful Barack Obama speaks to Russert during a taping of “Meet the Press” in Indianapolis, Indiana, shortly before the primary there in May.  (AJ Mast / Getty Images for Meet the Press)

Host of NPR’s “All Things Considered” Michele Norris speaks as Washington Post columnist E.J. Dionne, New York Times columnist David Brooks, and moderator Tim Russert look on during a taping of “Meet the Press” at the NBC studios in Washington, D.C.  (Alex Wong / Getty Images for Meet the Press)

Former White House Press Secretary Scott McClellan is interviewed by moderator Tim Russert during a taping of “Meet the Press” in June. McClellan spoke on his new book, “What Happened: Inside the Bush White House and Washington’s Culture of Deception.”  (Alex Wong / Getty Images for Meet the Press)

NBC News correspondent Kelly O’Donnell (R) speaks as moderator Tim Russert (C), (L-R) NBC News political director Chuck Todd, NBC News Chief Foreign Affairs Correspondent Andrea Mitchell, NBC News Chief White House correspondent David Gregory, NBC News correspondent Lee Cowan and NBC News correspondent Ron Allen look on during a taping of “Meet the Press” on June 8. The guests discussed the 2008 presidential elections.  (Alex Wong / Getty Images for Meet the Press)