Was Tim Russert The New Man?

I was a fan of Tim Russert. I watched ‘Meet the Press’ mainly because I liked watching him and his way of being with some of the country’s most influential and powerful people. It’s kinda like watching Saturday Night Live just to see the bands because every week it’s a new band in the same setting -- it’s a great place to see if someone really shines or if they need a bunch of smoke and mirrors (or fake vocal tracks) to pull it off.

Tim Russert was the standard. If you shined with him, chances are you were the real deal.

And while I really don’t know that much about him, I am aware of the impact he had on me. When I was first approached to do The New Man Podcast, I immediately thought of Russert’s style and presence. He wasn’t an opinionated showboat and he wasn’t a pushover. He had his own voice and he owned it.

I recently did a magazine interview and was asked (several times) “Who is the New Man?” I refused to point to any one individual because I believe it is our own personal responsibility to uncover who we are. Pointing at an image or symbol immediately denies so many other possibilities. Suddenly we strive to be “like” that vs just being ourselves.

With that said, I do believe there is a simple criteria. The New Man has access to his mind, his heart and his balls. He’s got brains, sensibility and power. He’s ashamed of none of them.

I saw this in Tim Russert. His preparation, his ability to hold slick politicians accountable and his love of family and country demonstrated to me a man of brains, heart and power. I am sad to see him go so soon. We need more men like him in this world.

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