Dr. Dobson on the Passing of Tim Russert

The nation lost a great man with the passing of Tim Russert. He was a tough-as-nails journalist who knew his stuff. A person dared not accept an invitation to be a guest on “Meet the Press” without being fully prepared, because Tim would have been familiar with every word he or she had said or written on the subject. He always did his homework.

I’ve been interviewed by many people over the past three decades, and few have demonstrated the mix of tenacity and warmth that was Tim’s calling card. He asked tough questions – but he asked them of everyone, on both sides of the political and ideological aisle – and he did so with a respectful demeanor.

When I appeared on “Meet the Press” in 1998, my wife, Shirley, and I were at the NBC studio in the green room, waiting to go on. Tim came in and chatted with us like we were old friends. I asked him at that time if he was pro-life; he just smiled and said, “I’m a Catholic.” I said, “I know, Tim, but are you pro-life?” He smiled again and said, “I’m a Catholic.” I interpreted that as meaning he agreed with his church’s opposition to abortion, but as a journalist, he was not comfortable letting his personal views be known.

I only worked with Tim on that one occasion, but I spent many more hours through the years watching him on television. I was very impressed by what I saw. I was particularly moved, in recent years, by his very personal stories about his loving relationship with his father, “Big Russ,” and his son, Luke. Tim Russert was a good man. I extend my condolences and my prayers to his family at this difficult time.