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WASHINGTON (AP) -- Tim Russert, who pointedly but politely questioned hundreds of the powerful and influential as moderator of NBC's "Meet the Press," died suddenly Friday while preparing for his weekly broadcast. The network's Washington bureau chief was 58.

In addition to his weekly program, Russert appeared on the network's other news shows, was moderator for numerous political debates and wrote two best-selling books.

President Bush, informed of Russert's death while at dinner in Paris, swiftly issued a statement of condolence that praised the NBC newsman as "an institution in both news and politics for more than two decades. Tim was a tough and hardworking newsman. He was always well-informed and thorough in his interviews. And he was as gregarious off the set as he was prepared on it."

NBC interrupted its regular programming with news of Russert's death, and in the ensuing moments, familiar faces such as Tom Brokaw, Andrea Mitchell and Brian Williams took turns mourning his loss.

Williams called him "aggressively unfancy."

Our hearts are broken," said Mitchell, who appeared emotional at times as she recalled her long-time colleague.

Bob Schieffer, Russert's competitor on CBS' "Face the Nation," said the two men delighted in scooping each other.

"When you slipped one past 'ol Russert," he said. "You felt as though you had hit a home run off the best pitcher in the league. I just loved Tim and I will miss him more than I can say."

The cause of death was not immediately clear. The network said on its Web site that Russert died of a heart attack, but spokeswoman Jenny Tartikoff later said, "We do not know the cause yet." Russert collapsed while preparing for his show at NBC's studios across town from the White House.

Russert, of Buffalo, N.Y., took the helm of the Sunday news show in December 1991 and turned it into the nation's most widely watched program of its type. His signature trait there was an unrelenting style of questioning that made some politicians reluctant to appear, yet confident that they could claim extra credibility if they survived his grilling intact.

He was also a senior vice president at NBC, and this year, Time Magazine named him one of the 100 most influential people in the world.

Russert had Buffalo's blue collar roots, a Jesuit education, a law degree and a Democratic pedigree that came from his turn as an aide to the late Sen. Daniel Patrick Moynihan of New York.

One of his books, "Big Russ and Me," was about his relationship with his father.

On Sunday's program, Russert was to have interviewed Sens. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., a national co-chair of the McCain campaign, and Joe Biden, D-Del., an Obama supporter, in a debate format as surrogates for the two presidential candidates.

Praise flowed quickly from those who knew Russert across the television interview room.

Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid said Russert was "the best in the business at keeping his interview subjects honest."

"There wasn't a better interviewer in television," Sen. Barack Obama, the Democratic presidential contender, told reporters in Ohio.

Republican Sen. John McCain of Arizona, Obama's rival for the White House, hailed Russert as the "pre-eminent journalist of his generation."

Rep. John Boehner of Ohio, the House Republican leader, said Russert was "one of the smartest, toughest television news journalists of all time .... I can say from experience that joining Tim on Meet The Press was one of the greatest tests any public official could face."

Carl P. Leubsdorf, president of the Gridiron Club, an organization of journalists, said in a statement, "It was a measure of the degree to which Tim Russert was respected in the journalistic world that he was the first broadcaster elected to membership in the Gridiron Club after the rules were changed in 2004 to end our century-old restriction to print journalists."

"He was an enthusiastic member and a willing participant in our shows. His fellow Gridiron members join with all of those who knew and respected Tim in mourning his untimely death."

"It is my sad duty to report this afternoon" that Russert collapsed and died while working in the network's Washington studios, Brokaw said when he came on the air.

"He'll be missed as he was loved -- greatly," Brokaw said.

The network said on its Web Site that Russert had been recording voiceovers for this Sunday's "Meet The Press" when he was stricken.

Russert had dozens of honorary college degrees, and numerous professional awards.

He won an Emmy for his role in the coverage of President Ronald reagan's funeral in 2004.

He was married to Maureen Orth, a writer for Vanity Fair Magazine. The couple had one son, Luke.

(Copyright 2008 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)

A big loss. I enjoyed him.

Good man, he will be missed.

God bless Tim Russell's soul. amen

He certainly was a role model for broadcasters. He had grace, style and values. Something you don't find of lot of in the media world.

Even God needed a good jounalist to report the coming election in heaven. Heaven's gain, our loss.

to the family, he will be greatly missed. i feel he educated me on politics and world events.

I went to my computer this evening to look something up, when there was Tim Russert's photo with the caption that he had died. My first thought was disbeief, and I caught my self saying out loud, "No he didn't. My heart sank. The world has lost, much too soon, a man who was obviously compassionate about getting to the truth. I do not find myself watching a lot of political view points. I watched Mr. Russert because he was fair with everyone, I could tell he loved what he did, and he held politicians accountable for what they have said in the past! It is hard to find a man who is fair and just, and that is what he was. The world has lost a sincere spirit. I mourn along side his family and my thought and prayers are with them.

Mr Russert was the only journalist i could sit and listen to because he was honest and gave both sides a chence to present . May He rest in Peace . He will be missed.

I never knew tim russert personally, but he always been one of the greatest journalists of all time, i remembered tim when he did nbc's meet the press, and i wish i could've met tim russert, and my prayers to his family and go out to those who loved and knew him. and he will be missed.

I can't believe he's gone. I so looked forward to Meet the Press every Sunday morning. I hope he's enjoying heaven as we will sure miss him.

I think it is kind of funny that someone thought he was biased against the Democrats. I thought it was plain to see that he was a democrat, but that didn't keep me from watching him. I leave for church at that time every Sunday, so I recorded him every week and watched on Sunday afternoon. I will miss him and his pointed questions. He had a way of drawing out the truth.

I don't view him that often and it is sad that this had to take place, it just goes to show you that you will never know when your time is up. I guess we tend to think that theses people will be around for a long time and it makes us sad when they are not around we should also try to not take these people for granted.

I don't agree that Mr. Russert was biased. He was "relentless in his search for answers" and I have heard him argue both sides of an issue. He was always on top of things and very concise in his reporting. He was easily understood and wasted no extra words. I will miss him. I do not believe we have anyone like him and possibly never will again. My condolences to his family and many fans and friends. He will truly be missed in the broadcasting business.

Tim Russert was not my favorite TV personality. Sometimes he crossed the line in his interviews. He showed a bias against Dems and Hillary Clinton instead of maintaining reporter objectivity.
However, my condolences to his family. 58 is not old anymore. He appeared to be a workaholic and ignored stress and health warnings. A lesson to be learned by all of us. Stop and smell the roses or you'll be buried under them.

How very sad for his family and friends. He was a true professional and will be missed.

We lost one of the good guys. Impeccable standards, a big heart, just an all around great person and journalist. He will be greatly missed, as he was greatly admired. Whether he was interviewing kings, presidents, heads of states, or speaking with the average guy on the street...Tim could do it all with professionalism and ease. Our prayers go out to all who knew him.

you shouldnt speak evil of the dead .If you cant say anything nice, say notting at all

I always watched Meet the Press. It was one of my favorite programs.Russert was very good at confronting our public officials.

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