Recalling Russert as Political Operative in New York.

For most of Washington, Tim Russert was known as the successful moderator of ''Meet the Press'' on NBC and a premier chronicler of the presidential campaign. His accomplishments and status could be measured in the flood of tributes that poured in from his colleagues, competitors and the people he covered. Yet there was another chapter in Mr. Russert's career that is less known, and that offers another insight into his personality. And it is one which he arguably thrived at nearly as much as he did sitting behind his desk at NBC News: as a political strategist and operative in one of the most brutal political environments in the country. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]