Politico
He may be gone, but the late Tim Russert— who made “Meet the Press” a Sunday ratings champ — still looms large over his Sunday competition.
The Newseum‘s tribute to Russert, which opens Friday, is a replica of his office–and it sits almost exactly above the studio where his longtime competitor George Stephanopoulos films ABC News’ Sunday program “This Week.”
Russert died of a heart attack on June 13, 2008, and the museum’s reconstruction of his office within NBCs Washington bureau features 500 items, including his desk, which was donated by NBC. Russert’s wife, Maureen Orth, and son, Luke, lent many personal items, as well.
Scattered around Russert’s cluttered office are books, a cell phone, a bottle of Perrier, newspapers, magazines (The Economist figures prominently), transcripts and research material. Adding more of a personal touch are draft scripts of Russerts 2004 interview with President George W. Bush and handwritten notes from Russert to Sen. Ted Kennedy and current “Meet” host David Gregory. Russert’s famous “Florida, Florida, Florida” white board is included, having become a symbol of the frantic news gathering that symbolized election night in 2000. More…