When Tim Russert started out in public life, first as chief of staff to Senator Pat Moynihan, then as counselor to New York governor Mario Cuomo, he was every political reporter's favorite. He combined that gigantic Irish joie de vivre with a perfect understanding of what every reporter needed—the right lead, the right quote, the right insight. Like just about every other reporter I knew in New York, I considered him my friend—and an indispensable resource.