He has an office at work, where he does research. He doesn't do research at the desk he presents his show at. I'm not sure, but I believe the show is live. There probably were no rolling cameras on him. (EDIT: sorry didn't read the part about speculating that it was caught on cell phone cameras)
Again, correct me if I'm wrong, but doesn't Russert a non-voter since he did not want to become politically biased, as if it is the act of casting a vote which determines your political thought process and where you lean?
Expect some pretty BIG names in politics to come out and praise him.