The British have a delightful custom, which American political junkies can witness late at night on C-SPAN, called Questions in the House. This is where the Prime Minister is required to stand in the well of the House of Commons each week and take any and all questions from the opposition as well as his own party. He must be superbly prepared. He cannot duck, he cannot weave or bob. He will be called out if his answers are inadequate, and eventually the nation will lose confidence in him.

To me, Tim Russert performed this function for us, and this political season in particular, our nation will be the lesser for his passing.