The sudden death of Tim Russert, NBC News Washington bureau chief and Meet the Press moderator, shook the media and political communities as well as the many faithful viewers of Meet the Press yesterday. Last night's NBC Nightly News was completely about Russert's career and legacy, as a journalist, friend and family man. MSNBC spent the evening remembering Russert; Fox News and CNN also spent considerable time remembering him. Tomorrow's edition of Meet the Press will be a special one dedicated to Russert's "extraordinary life," anchored by Tom Brokaw and with many guests, including James Carville, historian Doris Kearns Goodwin, Gwen Ifill, Maria Shriver, and Mary Matalin.

According to an autopsy, the 58-year-old had "an enlarged heart and significant coronary artery disease." His physician said Russert had been taking medication and exercising to deal with coronary artery disease; the newscaster has apparently performed well during a stress test in April.

MSNBC has many of the statements released in reaction to Russert's death, including ones with politicians and journalists. Mayor Bloomberg said, "Tim didn't just report on American politics - he played an active role in protecting the freedoms we hold so dear: free press, fair elections, and vigorous debate. He was a champion for honesty and truth, and he'll be dearly missed." And Katie Couric remember how he gave her her first break, "I was a local reporter at WRC in Washington, which shares a building with the NBC Washington bureau. Tim asked me to come to his office one day and told me he admired my work, particularly my coverage of Marion Barry, who was then the mayor of D.C. He liked my ‘scrappiness’ and asked if I was interested in becoming the deputy Pentagon correspondent."