They grow up so fast, don’t they? Online political media giant Politico turns five years old today, and to celebrate, the site posted a video roast by some quotable notables in the political media world. While the site has arguably earned the right to toot its own horn at least once every half-decade, did they really have to overshadow the birthday of Saved By The Bell actress Tiffani-Amber Thiessen?

Hurricane Irene has brought out the big news guns, with reporters from all the networks sending people out into the field, sometimes from the most unlikely places. CNN’s Jeanne Meserve got up close and personal with powerful waves in Ocean City. In the middle of her live report, CNN interrupted it because of some technical difficulties and went right back to the studio. Fox News’ Doug McKelway also reported from Ocean City, in front of waves that he said were bigger than any other he’s ever seen in the region.

With Rep. Anthony Weiner‘s wife,Huma Abedin, back in the U.S. from an overseas trip with boss Hillary Clinton–and amid calls from key Democrats, including President Barack Obama to resign–the congressman’s future may be determined within days. NBC’s Luke Russert, on TODAY, said any effort to return to Congress by Weiner would find him surrounded by frustrated and furious fellow Democrats, one of whom said Weiner would be “a man without a country.”

Shep Smith certainly has a gift at cutting to the heart of matters. After stumbling over Rep. Anthony Weiner’s statement to MSNBC’s Luke Russert (he used Thesaurus.com to make sure “certitude” meant what he thought it did), Smith wondered aloud how anyone could be confused about whether a penis belonged to them or not.

Congressman Anthony Weiner says he definitely did not send the now famous picture through Twitter, however he can’t say for sure whether the photo is of him. Weiner maintains that it was a prank which he had nothing to do with. MSNBC’s Luke Russert conducted the interview and pressed Weiner on the details of the controversy. On the most intriguing question, Russert asked whether the picture was of him and Weiner had a head-scratching response.

After seeming very reluctant to cover the strange story involving Twitter, a lewd picture and Rep. Anthony Weiner (D-NY) – heretofore known as “Weinergate” — the mainstream media now seems to be embracing the story with open arms, just five days since the story broke Friday night. For evidence of that idea I present the following clip from TODAY, in which Luke Russert introduces the story as producers show the actual picture that, to our knowledge, had thus far only been shown on late night programming like The Daily Show.

Skeptics may have thought that Luke Russert, the 25 year-old son of news legend Tim Russert, may got his shot as NBC News reporter as a product of nepotism; that his journalistic experience (or lack therein) didn’t warrant such a prime and influential gig at such an early. But judging by the 25 year-old’s willingness [...]

Republican Speaker of the House John Boehner gave a press conference earlier to provide updates on the budget negotiations and said “everyone is taking their time trying to get this right.” Then, in what seemed to be an attempt to lighten the mood and take a quick break from the seriousness of the issue, Boehner had a little fun ribbing MSNBC‘s Luke Russert.

In the wake of Rep. Charlie Rangel calling NBC Correspondent Luke Russert‘s questions about his ethics violations “stupid,” Glenn Beck had some fun with the story today on the radio.

In a rare move, a Fox News host strongly defended an NBC/MSNBC reporter.

Rep. Charlie Rangel is in hot water for some shady behavior with his taxes that has gotten him congressional reprimands for ethics violations. Apparently the whole experience has made him a bit crabby, because when asked about the taxes on his properties in the Dominican Republic by MSNBC’s Luke Russert, he refuses to answer what “you know is a dumb question” and laments that NBC was once “a channel that did have some respect.”

Rick Sanchez understands BP’s so-called “top kill” attempt to plug the oil leak in the Gulf of Mexico, and he’s ready to share his discovery with the world, clad in an outfit that would make David Hodo proud. Too bad his production team doesn’t seem to agree.

Luke Russert was paneling with David Shuster earlier today, in what may have been the most shameless (and yes, sadly, entertaining) moments on cable news thus far this week. Taking off on a Daily Beast feature ranking the top political sex scandals in recent history, Russert took a decidedly sporty style to analyzing what makes a political sex scandal interesting and who has suffered the most political shame: Democrats or Republicans. Video of the sophomoric and salacious video below:

According to MSNBC’s Luke Russert, pro-life Democrat Rep. Bart Stupak (D-MI), who held out until the last minute for more restrictive language on federal funding for abortion, was called a “baby-killer” as he spoke on the House floor tonight. The video of the report after the jump.

Timothy Joseph Russert, father of the late, legendary NBC Newsman Tim Russert and grandfather of NBC correspondent Luke Russert, passed away today at the age of 85.

Known as “Big Russ,” Russert became famous in his own right by being a focus of the New York Times bestseller “Big Russ & Me.”

Where were you a year ago today? If you are a political journalist — or media hanger-on — chances are you were living out of a suitcase at the 2008 Presidential Conventions, with the Dems nominating Barack Obama in Denver and the GOP nominating John McCain in Minneapolis/St. Paul. Remember those heady days?

Luke Russert is a Washington D.C.-based correspondent for NBC News covering Capital Hill, after being hired this time last year as a reporter covering youth issues. On the Web, he regularly writes for the First Read blog on MSNBC, and of course, you can find him on Twitter. There’s radio too – he continues hosting “60/20 Sports” with James Carville on Sirius/XM. Today the 23-year-old Russert participates in our latest edition of 5QQ – Five Quick Questions: