American political journalism, not only by association, is not held in the highest regard these days. NBC's Tim Russert, in contrast, and his enthusiasm for the "truth" is a throw-back and considered among the best of modern American journalists.
Tim provided tough and thoughtful coverage of the most important issues and political figures of our time and strove to provide us with enough information to form an opinion. Russert's infectious passion for the news left those of us with any interest wanting a second hour of Meet the Press or more of his time when on the air. 
Tim Russert - NBC News' Washington Bureau Chief and moderator of Meet the Press, preparing for this Sunday's installment of Meet the Press, collapsed and died of a heart attack today: he was 58. His passing is a huge loss to American journalism: he was a beacon of thoughtful political coverage in a day when news outlets are more and more politically charged and inflammatory pundits are flooding network, cable, and radio programming.
Though NBC News and Meet the Press will never be the same without him, I'm hopeful that thoughtful, informative reporting will prevail there and that those he inspired, mentored, and taught by example will continue to elevate the coverage of such an important beat.
Image source: MSNBC (http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/25145431/)