It's not an appropriate time to criticize Russert, so Felix Gillette makes his point--Russert served the right--between the lines. Yes, Russert earned his stripes devising press strategies for Moynihan and Mario Cuomo, but once he was on MTP it was rightists Robert Novak and William Safire who hailed him. He grilled non-Republicans and got along great with "the bosses at GE," major military contractor. A true (modern) Catholic to the end, may he receive his reward, whether eternal or karmic.

This account of Tim Russert's rise to news media stardom attributes his success to luring or cajoling political figures into appearing with him at the apex of the public's curiosity about them, then asked sensationalist questions. The author focuses on his use of political savvy, but fails to document his lack of refined journalistic skills. With high profile guests such as Messrs. Bush and Cheney he missed opportunities to follow a disciplined questioning strategy, but rather would let their answers stand as truth, and move to the next topic. That was a serious failing in the march to the assault on Iraq .