Former Bush II White House Press Secretary Succumbs To Colon Cancer Battle At Age 53
That’s right, I’M flying the flag at half-mast for Tony Snow today. It’s my choice and the man deserves no less, as far as I’m concerned.
Was the man bipartisan? Not really. Partisan? Not really. Nevertheless, Tony Snow always had my personal respect and always will despite some ideological differences, which will remain firmly in place. How can one NOT respect a fellow American Citizen, whom in many ways, held radically different views, yet, had a unique gift of seeking, finding and highlighting the humorous aspect within that disagreement?
When Tony Snow was announced as the Press Secretary for President Bush, I was shocked. So many times on his radio show and serving his “gig” at FoxNews, he readily and regularly pointed out his own numerous differences with general policies of the Bush White House, yet, President Bush chose him to be his official “mouthpiece” anyway. And, Mr. Snow did it quite well; particularly in comparison to his predescessor, Scott McClellan, who, as we know, went on to write his “tell-all memoir” (“What Happened“) as a disgruntled “whistleblower” who should have gone to a “Three-Letter-Agency” with this felonious information versus choosing to profit from it.
I would be shocked if anybody was holding their breath for Tony Snow to go “Scotty” on his former boss. The man had too much class to do that, even though the Bush Administration would deserve no less for their many felonious and anti-constitutional acts against their fellow American Citizens throughout King George’s “Royal Reign”. Nope — Tony would have taken any of the “nit-picky”, behind the scenes incidents to his grave but I would hope and even believe he would cooperate with the authorities had he been asked to and had he personally witnessed any George Bush and/or Dick Cheney felonies being committed before him. Perhaps, not. We’ll now never have the opportunity to learn the answer.
Where else are we going to turn than to FoxNews for the Obituary?
Tony Snow, Former White House Press Secretary and FOX News Anchor, Dies at 53
Tony Snow, the former White House press secretary and conservative pundit who bedeviled the press corps and charmed millions as a FOX News television and radio host, died Saturday after a long bout with cancer. He was 53.
A syndicated columnist, editor, TV anchor, radio show host and musician, Snow worked in nearly every medium in a career that spanned more than 30 years.
“Laura and I are deeply saddened by the death of our dear friend Tony Snow,” President Bush said in a written statement. “The Snow family has lost a beloved husband and father. And America has lost a devoted public servant and a man of character.”
Snow died at 2 a.m. Saturday at Georgetown University Hospital in Washington, D.C. …”
Forgetting Tony Snow’s unique, never before seen level of service in his capacity as the White House Press Secretary for the worst and most controversial and easily-impeachable President in this nation’s history, he was the master of the “respectfully agree to disagree” dialogue. To me, he hosted the most listenable right-wing talk radio show ever. He wasn’t afraid to take a liberal and/OR Democratic caller, unlike his cohorts such as Rush Limbaugh, Bill O’Reilly, Sean Hannity, and so many others. The liberal caller to The Tony Snow Show wasn’t automatically walking into an ambush when they called into his show; it was always an interesting and informative exchange with Mr. Snow often giving credit to that caller for a well-worded alternative point of view. Only Michael Savage does this, but you must catch Doctor Savage in the right mood on the right day to catch it. Tony Snow was ALWAYS “on” in this regard.
Rest In Peace with the angels, Tony Snow, and my thoughts and prayers go out to his friends and family during this moment of grief.
***
Other blogger reactions — both sides of the aisle (Some “snips” — read them in their entirety)…
“… While McClellan was often on the defensive as press secretary, Snow’s approach to the job was far more aggressive as he used the position to promote conservative views and defend Bush’s policies, often in a combative manner. …”
“… It wouldn’t be fair of me to pretend that I valued Snow’s work; I’ve criticized him enough times to prove otherwise. But even as he misled reporters and the nation, I always found Tony Snow to be an affable, likable guy, who enjoyed politics as much as I do. Even more important, I always respected his courage and tenacity when dealing with his serious illness. …”
The Moderate Voice (My good friend Joe Gandelman):
“… Snow was a public figure who truly seemed to have fun at his job and did it well. He was the quintessential broadcasting pro who put a professional TV face on the White House point of view. Not all people who leave the job as press secretary do so with their integrity intact — particularly not those who’ve left administrations suffering Grand Canyon-like credibility gaps. But if Snow didn’t leave with his reputation as pure as snow, he left it unbattered unbruised and unbowed. …”
“Rest in peace Tony …”
“… He was what Scott McClellan could only hope to be – a bright guy who loved the give-and-take of debate and believed in his side’s principles and ideology. …”
“… Yes, yes, and we know Tony Snow died very early this morning, of cancer. RIP Tony; you were our favorite spokesperson of this administration, by far, even if we never believed a word you said. …”
“… I was on a couple of blogger conference calls with Mr. Snow when he was press secretary for President Bush, and he was so nice and kind. I was thrilled when, upon getting the chance to ask him a question, he remarked how much he liked my posts and that he wanted to email me to tell me so but didn’t know how to contact me. Naturally, I was absolutely thrilled to learn that Tony Snow knew who I was. …”
“… His death, while hardly shocking given his health problems, is sad. Like so many media personalities, I had the sense that I “knew” Tony Snow after spending so many hours with him in my living room. He seemed like a decent guy and, certainly, 53 is far to young to die.”
Stop The ACLU (Warner Todd Huston):
“… Rest in peace, Tony Snow. We’ll miss that sunny countenance and thoughtful commentary we’d become so used to. A hale fellow well met has passed, but his lessons of self determination and his surety that these United States is not a failed premise will stay with us forever. …”
“… His joy and his good humor shined through every word, as it did when he worked at the White House, and appeared on television and radio. Viewers and listeners got the authentic Tony Snow; he didn’t build a false persona for public consumption. …”
Pirate’s Cove (My good friend William Teach):
“.. Rest in peace, Tony, you will be missed. …”
Huffington Post (Douglass K. Daniel):
“… Although a star in conservative politics, as a commentator he had not always been on the president’s side. He once called Bush “something of an embarrassment” in conservative circles and criticized what he called Bush’s “lackluster” domestic policy. …”
“Heartbreakingly sad news this morning. Tony Snow has died. He was 53. He was a true mensch, multi-talented–and one of the kindest people I had the honor to meet in the news business. …”
“… Snow was the best of the Bush Press Secretaries (at a minimum, one who knew, I suspect, about the Cuban Missile Crisis) not at all mean or angry as a commentator, unlike many of his peers. …”
“… believe it or not, I think that Snow sort of defined the phrase, “compassionate conservative”. …
[Editor note -- Credit to Michael Savage for coining the phrase, "compassionate conservative"]
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6:19 pm on July 12th, 2008 1
Update II: While I was going around trying to trackback to those articles whom I have mentioned, I came upon this post: Flag At Half-Mast For Tony Snow, May He Rest In Peace, which is quite respectful and very decent. Why do I find this unusual? He is on the other side of the aisle, and I usually don’t find many pleasant posts on that side. Mind you, we have enough sites which are unpleasant to them as well, so you can see where my respect comes from for this site, Gun Toting Liberal. Please visit him…
9:28 pm on July 12th, 2008 2
While I respect your respectful response to the death of Tony Snow, I think that you went overboard with the remark that “He wasn’t afraid to take a liberal and/OR Democratic caller, unlike his cohorts such as Rush Limbaugh, Bill O’Reilly, Sean Hannity, and so many others.”
These talk show hosts take lib & Dem callers on a frequent basis. And if the point is made well for the opposing point of view, it is usually acknowledged as well-expressed, and then refuted or at least argued against on a factual basis.
Please tell me the last time you saw a conservative expressing his point of view on Keith Olberman’s rant-filled show?
Case closed.
6:36 am on July 13th, 2008 3
Tony will be in our prayers. Great post Gunny.
4:02 pm on July 13th, 2008 4
God Bless, Tony Snow.
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