It's discouraging to think the Tim has this much power in the election process.
http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&cid=494&e=1&u=/ap/ap_on_tv_tim_russertBefore Iowa, before New Hampshire, the people who want President Bush's job have to get past Tim Russert.
The moderator of NBC's "Meet the Press" has made the top-rated Sunday talk show an integral part of the political process, particularly now during the presidential campaign prelims when candidates are starved for attention.
There is such a thing as a `Russert primary,'" said Joe Trippi, campaign manager for former Vermont Gov. Howard Dean.
---snip
A strong appearance on "Meet the Press" last summer, Trippi said, was a pivotal first step in Dean's transformation from "who's he?" status to a strong contender among the nine Democrats seeking the nomination.
MORE...