June 18, 2008
Posted: 03:35 PM ET

From
CNN

Watch CNN's Wolf Blitzer and David Bohrman discuss what transpired between Sens. Obama and McCain at Tim Russert's funeral mass Wednesday.

WASHINGTON (CNN) – It was a pretty amazing sight. John McCain and Barack Obama came to Tim Russert’s funeral mass today here in Washington. The fact that they took time out from their campaigns to do so was already impressive, and certainly a lovely tribute to Tim. But they also did more. They wound up sitting right next to each other during the 90 minute service.

Before the service started, they were chatting rather amiably and intensely for 15-20 minutes. Those of us who were invited to the Holy Trinity Church in Georgetown were impressed that Tim, even in his tragic and untimely death, was able to bring these two presidential candidates together.

It was a powerful statement of Tim’s unique role here in Washington.

Cardinal Theodore McCarrick, who presided over the gathering, warmly welcomed McCain and Obama. He spoke eloquently about Tim’s faith, family and journalistic profession.

So did Tim’s remarkable 22-year-old son, Luke, who delivered some beautiful Words of Remembrance. He told them what his dad would have told them: the American public wants their presidential candidates to discuss the most important issues of the day and not get bogged down with trivial personal attacks.

Luke also said that his dad was often so irritated when politicians refused to acknowledge they had changed their minds on important policy issues. There’s nothing wrong, Luke said, in someone’s changing his or her mind. He’s right of course. Obama and McCain were clearly paying attention.

I suspect those strong words will have an impact on these two presidential candidates in the coming weeks and months.

Filed under: Barack Obama • John McCain • Wolf Blitzer


Reality Check Richmond Virginia   June 18th, 2008 5:03 pm ET

I hope this resonates with both candidates……..better yet, it would be great if it resonated with the 527's.

Trudie, MS   June 18th, 2008 4:59 pm ET

I really liked Tim Russert. I think it was so admirable that his son gave Barack and John some words of wisdom. Politicians should be able to change their minds, and they do need to talk about non-trivial issues. America is hurting, and we need our politicians to talk, talk, talk.

God bless you Tim, for leaving us those important words to live by.

Tim Russert = Heaven, Heaven, Heaven

Ngoh, WI   June 18th, 2008 4:57 pm ET

Tim was unique in his job. I watched him every Sunday. I personally enjoyed when he often reminded his guest, and politicians alike about what they had earlier said, but seem to try to fool the public by saying something different if cornered. As the man always said in his trade mark "lets watch". I hope NBC will fill in some one who will continue with this trade mark. Tim was simply a good and honest man.

Bridgette-PA   June 18th, 2008 4:56 pm ET

I will miss you Tim. Politics will never be the same without you. God Bless you and your family always. I pray now that the media follows in your footsteps.

Biel Thich   June 18th, 2008 4:50 pm ET

Tim will be missed by many people around the globe. I hope Obama and McCain will honor him by telling the truth to the American people.

Biel Thich
Omaha, Ne

HRP   June 18th, 2008 4:50 pm ET

Tim Russert was a giant of a man. Especially so in today's world. I just can't imagine Sunday mornings without him. His wonderful son will continue to be a credit to him. I also think it speaks volumes that McCain & Obama could sit next to each other at his remembrance. They put their own differences aside and came together for Tim. I could hope that the campaigns will go this well. Wouldn't it be great to see them put aside the silliness and put the people of this country first.

Roni from Vegas   June 18th, 2008 4:48 pm ET

My Sunday mornings will just not be the same…I cannot even imagine how his family must feel. For myself and many others we all feel like we have lost a close friend. He was one of my heroes and I admired him for his honesty and integrity…he will be missed.

Dee   June 18th, 2008 4:48 pm ET

I am truly going to miss Tim Russert. I have been asking myself lately every time I listen to something political, what will Tim say about that. He is truly going to be missed. God bless his family.

Nina De Ponca   June 18th, 2008 4:48 pm ET

Let's not politicize Tim Russert's Funeral in any way …. to do so is distasteful.

In fact, I liked Tim, but we've heard far too much about him over the past 5 days, expecially from NBC….

Phyllis   June 18th, 2008 4:46 pm ET

I have always viewed Meet the Press as a really boring show, but in the past year can't seem to turn away from it. Mr. Russert was a fair host, he sparked my interest in Meet the Press and he will be a hard act to follow.

His enthusiasm was contageous and enlightening. When he spoke about the Dem. National Convention and that if Obama was the presumptive nominee and received the dem. nomination for president, his acceptance speech would be given on the anniversary of Dr. King's I Have A Dream speech; he showed his excitement as to the kind of speech that Senator Obama will likely give.

I was so moved by his excitement that I am still reeling with the feeling. I pray that his family be assured that he touched many lives near and far and we all feel their loss. May God keep them in his Grace and Mercy.

paul   June 18th, 2008 4:45 pm ET

I for one am sorry for his families great lost.

Before every one wants to remember him as being a great journalist you might like to take the time to remember he was a husband, a father and a son or brother.

His job played only a small part of who the man was.

In fact I don’t think many of you that have said he was a great man even knew him well enough to make that statement.

I am not sorry he is no longer with us. I am sorry he is no longer with his family and friends.

They lost a great deal more then we have with his death.

Ginny   June 18th, 2008 4:45 pm ET

Until Tim Russert's death, I had not considered how much I respected him or how much I would miss his authentic personality and unsurpassed intelligence in the news media if he were not there. His death hit very hard! I will miss his sane, reasoned comments, his vast knowledge and his sheer delight in the midst of what often is a dreary morass of politics. I feel that I lost a friend Friday. I have grieved. I am encouraged, though, by the ourpouring of appreciation and respect that so many are showing for the life of a man who, by all accounts, was a good son, husband, father, friend, and citizen. He has set the bar high for the rest of us!

Tracy   June 18th, 2008 4:44 pm ET

Tim Russert is gone but certainly not forgotten. R.I.P. Tim!

Marc PDX   June 18th, 2008 4:44 pm ET

Yes, it's sad that Tim Russert passed away at such a young age. He was a very good journalist and interviewer, and a genuinely nice guy in a business where those are few and far between. But now that the funeral is over let's let Tim rest in peace now please.

Larry in texas   June 18th, 2008 4:44 pm ET

Great stuff…all the Tim Russert attention. It seems that there was something about this man that touched the inner decency that exists in most people. Even people who might have felt a little roughed up during his interviews, always spoke well of him. Sure would like to see some of this noble stuff during the presidential campaign. Let's disagree without the hate.

Michael Shea   June 18th, 2008 4:42 pm ET

What can I say at a time like this ?

When Tim Russert passed away, I didn't only lose the most respected newsman in my life, I felt I lost my brother and best friend.

Like Tim,we were raised Irish-Catholic with a special love for our fathers, baseball, the Kennedys and Martin Luther King Jr.

Tim represented what was best in our country. Politics was part of our inner fabric. Tim & I both cared for the helpless of our society and were always search ing for the "TRUTH'.

Like a previous comment I am hoping that one of the positive things that happen as a result of his untimely passing that God will assign him the role as the "Archangel that protects Barack Obama and his family".

Tim must have known in his heart of hearts that we need a President like Obama now more than ever..

We Irish are very emotional and passionate about what we feel. We feel very and passionate about our brother Tim Russert.

God Bless You Tim !!!

Brother Mike Shea

Democrats Unite!!!   June 18th, 2008 4:42 pm ET

RIP Tim… This country owes you a lot, and we will be rooting for Luke no matter which path he chooses.
I am also planning to establish a journalism (excellence) prize at my alma mater(Columbia) in Tim's honor… stay tuned!

MARIA, LOS ANGELES   June 18th, 2008 4:41 pm ET

Tim Russert was the creme de la creme in journalism. simply the best..along with Peter Jennings.

mari, los angeles   June 18th, 2008 4:40 pm ET

Tim Russert was the creme de la creme in jounalism. simply the best..along with Peter Jennings.

Patricia in Las Vegas   June 18th, 2008 4:40 pm ET

Tim Russert is going to be missed. I hope he enjoys watching the rest of the campaign from heaven.

Mary   June 18th, 2008 4:40 pm ET

Tim Russert was a gentle man, a family man and an excellent media man. He will be missed by all.
Bet, Obama and McCain sitting together was arranged by the corrupt Obama. He was pandering again at a funeral. So very sad.
He needs to be sent back to his corrupt Chicago district.
God bless Senator McCain and his family.

"new face for VP Obama "   June 18th, 2008 4:39 pm ET

Tim R. was always on the high road ,kind ,thoughtfull and the best sure will miss him .
When he discussed the book about his father he looked as if he was still living it what a great guy .
For those fallowing him he left a wonderfull memory and a great example but remember there was only one Tim Russert who stood out above all the rest.
Rest in Peace Tim.

Ken in NM   June 18th, 2008 4:38 pm ET

He was a good guy and will be missed.

amira   June 18th, 2008 4:36 pm ET

TIM RUSSERT WAS THE BEST JOURNALIST ON TV AT THE TIME. HE NEVER TOOK ANY SIDES UNLIKE WOLF WHO ALWAYS SEEM TO BE ON HILLARYS SIDE. WE WILL MISS TIM, WATCHING THE PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION WILL NEVER BE THE SAME WITHOUT HIM.

GOD BLESS YOUR SOUL TIM RUSSERT
REST IN PEACE

JJ   June 18th, 2008 4:35 pm ET

America has lost a great journalist in Tim. He was someone you could count on to give us the facts straight and honest. He was a man that many of us welcomed in our homes every Sunday and we are greatful for having the priviledge of knowing him through our television sets.

May he rest in peace. He will surely be missed. May God bless him, Maureen and Luke.

Ding, Washington, DC   June 18th, 2008 4:33 pm ET

May God Bless you Tim Russert!. You were a Lovely man.

Janet   June 18th, 2008 4:33 pm ET

Tim Russert was one of the best. I am glad he is in heaven.

William F.   June 18th, 2008 4:30 pm ET

May you rest in Peace Tim, you were a true journalist who didn't let your personal feelings get in the way of the truth or holding those to account for being dishonest. We made us all smarter, I hope an example to be followed by all. May God Bless your family, America, John McCain and yes Barack Obama.

BIFF, BIFFINGTON...   June 18th, 2008 4:29 pm ET

P.S….

I pray that a jouralist of Tim Russert's moral and unbiased integrity fills the void there now is in political journalism.

With the likes of fox news on one side, and air america on the other…
i could always (and did always) DEPEND on Russert to provide the straight scoop.

missed….. is an understatement.

Toni   June 18th, 2008 4:28 pm ET

Where were the Clintons???

Barbara, FL   June 18th, 2008 4:26 pm ET

I am so very impressed by the maturity and composure of Luke Russert, he is a credit to his parents, and I know that Tim is looking down and forever the proud (and rightly so) dad.

james   June 18th, 2008 4:25 pm ET

Tim Russert was a giant among men.

Brendan H., San Antonio, TX   June 18th, 2008 4:25 pm ET

John McCain was so moved by the service, he changed his mind on everything he ever thought, publicly stated so, and then denied it and blamed a left-wing, liberal, media conspiracy for planting the ideas in peoples heads, which he then denied existed!

John Hagee called from San Antonio and asked McCain, "What are you doing in that Catholic den?!"

McCain denied knowing of any such den.

Cindy McCain said, "Tax returns? I have no tax returns!"

Will in Richmond, VA   June 18th, 2008 4:23 pm ET

Thank you Tim Russert for your brilliance and candor during the long time you spent as part of the fabric of America. We will miss you.

Glad to hear that for a time, the rivals were able to set aside all their political differences and embrace their common humanity, citizenship and relationship with Russert.

If they can do it, so can we.

After further review,Texas   June 18th, 2008 4:21 pm ET

I remember his recent interview with Cheney,it was a good one.He will be missed.

Linda31   June 18th, 2008 4:21 pm ET

What both these men are offering is their service to this country. They both love this country and can't really be enemies because of that. The difference is how they want to run this country and the policies they stand for.

God bless Tim Russert. Thank you for making politics enjoyable and always interesting. Will be thinking of you on Nov. 4th

Linda Esen   June 18th, 2008 4:20 pm ET

looking forward to Luke Russert in the future…good luck kid - how luck you were to have had a dad like that.

DC Missouri   June 18th, 2008 4:19 pm ET

I cannot say how much I already miss this wonderful and honest man. I watch many different sources for political news but without question, Tim Russert was the ultimate and most trusted.

I often wondered which side he was on and I guess that's the mark of his excellence - he will be missed and it's hard to imagine the rest of this election season without his astute and piercing questions and commentary.

I hope he's up there, watching with that special smile on his big Irish face.

Franky   June 18th, 2008 4:19 pm ET

"The Anatomy of Life"

For every tree you see, is for every person out there,
For every leaf you touch, is for every story you care.

For every light you see, is for every path you take,
For every wind you touch, is for every life you make.

Nothing matter more than our roots….

God bless this country!

We are not as different as our politics suggest   June 18th, 2008 4:17 pm ET

Both Sen. McCain and Sen. Obama are good men. They just happen to have a different plan for how to lead the country.

Brian near Charlotte, NC   June 18th, 2008 4:17 pm ET

Maybe Luke should run for President of the United States! Well, said, young man, well said.

Patrick Henry, Fort Myers   June 18th, 2008 4:16 pm ET

As it should be.
Russert forced politicians to fess up to their duplicity and errs in judgement.

Unlike the two major party candidates–he was totally unbiased in his reporting–an bluntly honest in his interpretations.

He'll be sorely missed.

Mark Anthony - Lake Elsinore, CA   June 18th, 2008 4:15 pm ET

I have to admit Tim Russert, was the ONLY journalist that stayed neutral during his career. Most journalist take a side to boost rating for the moment.

This should be proof to all journalist that staying neutral gets you a lot more respect. Looking for proof check the rating numbers of meet the press, impressive.

NY FEMALE SAYS MAC IS WACK!!!!!!!!!!   June 18th, 2008 4:14 pm ET

God bless Tim!!!!!!!!!!!!

I hope that McCain was listening to those words so that he can come to terms with changing himself from a maverick to a McBush

MD   June 18th, 2008 4:13 pm ET

FOES????

How unnecessarily dramatic!!!

But there again, that's one of the things that makes Wolf so "special."

Kick Hillary to the Curb   June 18th, 2008 4:11 pm ET

Now that Tim is gone who will tell the truth. No more truth journalism. God bless his family.

Peter E   June 18th, 2008 4:11 pm ET

Tim Russert was the greatest journalist of this past decade. In the face of irresponsible media hypes and personal mudslinging he stuck to issues and he stuck to facts. Now that he's gone I fear that the audience will have nowhere to turn to for actual journalistic integrity.

Debra   June 18th, 2008 4:10 pm ET

Tim Russert will be missed during the fall elections. Farwell to a very fine journalist and human being. I am glad Obama and McCain were civil with one another at his funeral. Both are good people, just on different sides of the fence so to speak.

Enlightened Voter   June 18th, 2008 4:08 pm ET

I honestly don't know who to watch now on sunday mornings. George Stephanopulous is definitely out, I lost all respect for him during that last debate. He definitely does not report fairly.
Tim, you are sorely missed.

???   June 18th, 2008 4:08 pm ET

My best wishes to his family, and may he now rest.

John, OH   June 18th, 2008 4:05 pm ET

We will miss Tim Russert. I hope now that cable news will move away from tabloid reporting(flag pins, crazy pastors and misquotes). Do your own investigations on a story rather than reporting a second hand story without the facts. Cable new you have the freedom of press don't take it for granted. Aim for a higher standard like Tim Russert. GOD bless him.

American   June 18th, 2008 4:03 pm ET

Tim Russert is a big loss….why do the good die young, and the wicked live on forever….just not fair.

Glad the two candidates showed America that while we are out there tearing each other up over race, gender, cultural backgrounds, etc. they can still come together….just goes to show that we have a lot more to lose than they do, and them losing an election is not the end all for them….that's why this year, I am voting my economic interest and not on the basis of age, experience, color or culture.

Obama is the future for America.

Honor Tim Russert's Legacy   June 18th, 2008 4:02 pm ET

On the last night of the Democratic primaries, Tim Russert said, and I paraphrase: Maybe this time we will cover the issues!

Let's hope that some sanity will prevail in the media and that all of you will be inspired by the remarkable career of Tim Russert and focus on educating the public on where the candidates stand on the issues.

With an educated electorate, we will hopefully get a decision we can all be proud of.

That would be honoring Tim Russert, a man deserving of the outpouring of affection and respect we have seen in the past few days.

Kelby from Houston, TX   June 18th, 2008 4:02 pm ET

I will miss Tim Russert and he has never met me before.
What are we going to do without this man on Meet the Press?
What member of the media can do the job he did?
I was looking at tv and one these pudits said "That was the thing about Tim, you never knew what his politics were." The reason for that is because he was so even. There was no bias to one side or the other. He only sought the truth.
WHO ELSE OUT THERE CAN DO THAT?
Who can leave their feelings out of it and still be passionate?
Can we have another Tim Russert please?

Jaci   June 18th, 2008 4:01 pm ET

I am so sorry that Tim Russert will not be alive this Novemeber. I am always smarter because of his commentary and analysis.

I have been really touched by all the stories people have about him and how many lives he touched. It makes me want to be a better person to those around me.

I didn't even know the man and I feel like a good friend of mind is gone.

ProundToBeADemocrat   June 18th, 2008 4:00 pm ET

My he rest in peace he was a great man indeed. I am sure he is in heaven with God in better place looking down at us.

Monica for Obama in Indiana   June 18th, 2008 4:00 pm ET

From the words of Tim through Luke to Obama and McCain and the world.

We all have to thank God for send a 'Tim Russert' into our lives.

His memories will live on

Paul   June 18th, 2008 3:59 pm ET

Luke is going to be a force in his own right it seems.

Capt. Smash, Salt Lake City, Utah   June 18th, 2008 3:58 pm ET

I wish all the news people had Tim Russert's Standards. Guy's like Walter Cronkite, and Tim are the few we could trust to bring us the news with no spin.

God Bless You Tim ask God to Protect Obama.

Nancy McKinney   June 18th, 2008 3:57 pm ET

WHAT WILL JOUNALISM BE LIKE WITHOUT YOU OH TIM!!

WE SHALL MISS YOU DEARLY!!!!

Darth Vadik, CA   June 18th, 2008 3:54 pm ET

We are not FOES

WE ARE OPPONENETS

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