By DAVID K. LI
June 17, 2008
Tim Russert's grieving son claimed the late host's "Meet the Press" chair, saying it would always be an emotional link to his dad.
In his first public comments since the NBC star's sudden death last week, Luke Russert appeared on the "Today" show yesterday and painted a sweet picture of a gentle giant who rose from humble beginnings in Buffalo but never lost touch with his working-class roots.
Luke Russert claimed the chair for himself after Sunday's emotional "Meet the Press" broadcast, in which the anchor's colleagues and friends paid tribute.
"I sort of saw his chair there with his little pad that he had," he told "Today" host Matt Lauer.
"The emotions just came over me, and I just wanted to touch that chair . . . and I just wanted to grab it all in and hug that chair.
"I'm going to keep that chair forever. That's my chair now."
A memorial service is set for tomorrow at the Kennedy Center in DC. MSNBC will air it live at 4 p.m.
