Faith guided Russert, Snow

Journalists usually find themselves at the bottom of polls looking up at used car salesmen and members of the U.S. Congress when it comes to respect and integrity. However, the deaths of Tim Russert and Tony Snow this summer occasioned a period of something approaching national mourning. That outpouring of grief surprised many in the media and in the general public.

This unusual empathetic response can be explained by several characteristics that Snow and Russert shared. Russert was Washington Bureau Chief for NBC News, and Snow had been press secretary for President George W. Bush until cancer forced him to resign. Both died in their 50s.

Russert and Snow had a strong faith in God that served as a spiritual gyroscope giving them balance and well-roundedness. Russert's parochial school education provided him with a values system that stayed with him for his entire life. Mike Allen of Politico.com wrote that Snow "spoke subtly but convincingly about his Christian faith."

These men had a strong appreciation of their families. One of Tony Snow biographers wrote that "he married Jill Ellen Walker, and they had one son, two daughters, three dogs, a cat and three guinea pigs." The tire swing in their front yard in northern Virginia told the world that a real family lived in that house. Russert's mother faithfully sat her children down to do their homework each school day afternoon. Russert and his siblings didn't get up until they had finished. That discipline and work ethic helped to propel him to Washington bureau chief of NBC-TV News and to the moderator's chair on "Meet the Press. His dad, "Big Russ," and his son Luke took front page prominence in his life.

Loyalty to their friends and colleagues characterized these journalists. A month before his death from colon cancer, Snow called Ann Compton in Paris to inquire about the health of veteran White House correspondent Helen Thomas. One of Russert 's main goals in life was to encourage as many family members, colleagues and friends as possible every day. He strived every day to lift up someone else. One of his personal commandments was "Thou shalt not whine."

Both men were known for their frankness and truthfulness. President George H. W. Bush said of Snow, his speech writer, "You knew you were gettin' the truth." Russert grilled his guests every Sunday morning on "Meet the Press' to get the truth.

Faith in God, family commitment, friendliness, and frankness made these two journalists stand out and grab the nation's attention. Russert came from South Buffalo and Snow from the South--Berea, Kentucky. They inspired while informing their viewers, listeners and readers because of their genuineness and humility.

For 20 years I conducted a seminar in Washington and New York.City for graduate communications students at Wheaton College. We met with and learned from many women and men in the media who had the same character traits that Snow and Russert exemplified. I returned each year with more faith in the Fourth Estate.

Glenn F. Arnold

Wheaton