All of the Sunday morning political talk shows spent time paying tribute to the leader of the pack, Tim Russert. Here is a sampling:

• George Stephanopoulos on ABC's This Week: "He believed that politics matters, that asking tough questions is a calling, and that pressing for real answers makes a real difference. He believed that getting informed is the first job of a good citizen. And by that standard, he made millions of us better citizens."

• Charles Osgood on CBS Sunday Morning: "He taught me more by the quiet eloquence of his hard work, his basic decency and intense loyalty. He taught me the true lessons of life."

• Bob Schieffer on CBS' Face the Nation: "I think what made him so good was he realized that news programs are about the news, they're not about the newscasters. I think that's why he got so much news himself."

• Chris Wallace on FOX News Sunday: "Before the terrible events Friday, I never would have said it in public, but Tim Russert was the king of Washington reporters."

• Brit Hume on FOX News Sunday: "When my son died 10 years ago, one of the first people I heard from was Tim Russert who advised me to keep in mind not the years I might have had with him, but the years I did. It was a powerful thought and an act of characteristic kindness from Tim. I must say, it's something we might all keep in mind now that he's gone."

• Chris Matthews on NBC's Chris Matthews Show: "Trust your instincts. He was the guy you saw. Tough, regular, hardworking, delighted with what he was doing. And something else you probably figured. Great company. We will miss him, this man of sterner stuff."

• Wolf Blitzer on CNN's Late Edition: "He raised the sunday morning talk show to a new level, combining his deep knowledge of politics with a willingness to probe and challenge his guests."