Media Archive

Tim Russert Event Summary
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September 25, 2006—Reflecting on the relationship between Cleveland State University and Town Hall of Cleveland, Michael Schwartz recalled the day Chuck Hickman and Bruce Akers entered his office with a proposal for a partnership. He knew within an eighth of a second that a wonderful opportunity was being offered to the faculty, staff and students of his fine institution. He considers Cleveland State a serious, dedicated, committed partner to help make Cleveland a great city. Dean Geoffrey S. Mearns of the Cleveland-Marshall College of Law introduced Tim Russert.

Tim immediately engaged the audience with hometown anecdotes and stories of Big Russ, his father, a man who has had a profound influence on Tim's life. He spoke at length of the war in Iraq, adding that he feels Iraq now controls Washington D.C. in both domestic and foreign policy. In 2003, Russia, Germany, France, former presidents Bush and Clinton, as well as most Republicans and Democrats, supported the war on Hussein and his weapons of mass destruction. Three and a half years later, 60% of Americans feel the war is not worth our involvement, and has been a distraction from important issues, such as airline security and Afghanistan. Recognizing a former instructor from John Carroll, Dr. Kathleen Barber, Tim said he learned from her that a democracy has to take its measure, to look inward and assess its positions. He feels the United States must do that now, to find out what went wrong with our intelligence gathering regarding the weapons of mass destruction, not as a purge, but in order that the United States continues to stand for moral authority.

He cited Senator John McCain and Colin Powell, among others, as individuals who fear that we are not adhering to the rules of the Geneva Conference as far as interrogating and prosecuting enemy combatants.

Tim gave a statistic that at present the United States has approximately 40 million people on social security and Medicare, and that number will increase to over 80 million within 15 years.

He is disheartened by the fact that today's politicians differ so dramatically from the likes of Barry Goldwater, Hubert H Humphrey, and John F Kennedy. Politicians have hardened, and their attacks are much more personalized. Some of the blame for this must be shouldered by the media—radio talk shows, television, computer blogs—which offers platforms for extremists of all parties. The lessons of life on which Tim was raised are hard work, persistence, and discipline. He believes most politicians also learned these values at home, but lost them in Washington D. C.

To the students, Tim counseled that if they are willing to do what it takes to be prepared, and to take the profession they choose and follow it faithfully, they can do whatever they want in life—lead this country, help shape its policies and make its decisions. He cautioned against thinking that they have to know what they want right now; life will play itself out in the coming years.

Doug Clifton led the Q & A. He asked Tim how he got into journalism, and Tim answered that every time he learned something he knew he wanted to share it with others in a fair and unbiased way. However, he would never report something that would put any of our troops in harm's way. His wish is that politicians wouldn't feel bound to consistently present the same point of view; there's nothing wrong with saying, "I've changed my mind, and this is why." In his final comments, he said that he is surprised that more mainstream Muslims don't speak out about the extremists who have hijacked Islam and are using their religion to kill infidels.

What a wonderful "first night" for what promises to be a great season!

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