“I hope the Register will give us an overview of who Tim Russert really is,” wrote a reader. He was suspicious of all the adulation being heaped on him.

God alone knows the faith of any of us, but our staff did find a few interesting facts about this Catholic journalist.

Just as interesting as those tidbits reported on page 2 is his relentless questioning of pro-abortion politicians. In 2002’s Massachusetts governor race, Shannon O’Brien suffered political damage when Russert asked her forcefully about her support for lowering the age of consent for abortion from 18 to 16, pointing out that a 16-year-old could not legally get a tattoo in Massachusetts.

In the year 2000, he repeatedly asked Al Gore when life begins, and quoted his past words when he was pro-life.

“You were calling fetuses innocent human life, and now you don’t believe life begins at conception,” said Russert. “I’m just trying to find out, when do you believe life begins?”

Gore wouldn’t answer. Russert did the same thing at a 2005 debate in Virginia’s governor race.

We didn’t know him personally, and we understand your suspicion — but, from the indications we’ve seen, Russert is exactly what a journalist should be: a dogged pursuer of the truth. We mourn the loss and pray for his soul and for his family.