Former White House Press Secretary Tony Snow died from cancer earlier today. Here is part of what I wrote when he left the White House in September 2007:
Tony is a great guy. I've logged a lot of time on cable news shows. Tony hosted his own show on Fox News on the weekend for years and I was a frequent guest. Sometimes I was funny, sometimes I wasn't. Tony was always supportive, laughing when it wasn't always warranted! Plus he called me on a couple of occasions to thank me personally for appearing on his show. (This is NOT typical.) He also had very kind words for me when my father was dying from cancer.
I don't know if he'll choose to return to TV journalism. If not, I can say he was a fair and, yes, balanced interviewer. In fact, he prodded me on a couple of occasions to let the Republicans "have it" when I was heaping too much ridicule on Democrats.
I only knew him as a TV host but that's something. The man was very warm (hard to fake that on-camera or off) and not full of himself; he did his best to make his guests look good, as opposed to using his guests as props. And that's more than something.
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Reader Comments ( Page 1 of 2)
1. Aw Mo,
I recall your words and would like to reiterate my own response as well.
Although I have been a life-long Democrat, I feel that Mr. Snow's performance makes him the best White House Press Secretary of my lifetime and, indeed, he brought a great deal of class and credibility to that position.
I didn't know him like you did, but we all share the pain of losing such a valuable natural treasure.
JG
John Giza at 1:43PM on Jul 12th 2008
2. Tony Snow was a gentleman and generally a likeable person. Most thinking people will mourn his passing at such a young age. Sincere sympathy to his family in the loss of a great man!
Renee at 3:11PM on Jul 12th 2008
3. I remember becoming so outraged when many of the dailykos bloggers were wishing for his death, that type of vitriol really turned me off to the far left. Agree or disagree with Snow he was an American, he had a family and from all accounts he was a genuine professional. He will be missed and remembered by many, and I wish his wife and three children all the best.
Monty at 3:56PM on Jul 12th 2008
4. Too bad he'll be primarily be remembered as the best liar on Capitol Hill. His ability to shade the truth were unbeatable, and yet he had the audacity to question Clinton truthfullness and never question ALL of the lies of any GOP administration
Al Nelson at 4:10PM on Jul 12th 2008
5. Al Nelson
xxxxx
That is srictly your opinion and yours alone. Are you not mature to honor the man? Or does your lack of intellect not allow you do that? Your pathetic and pitiful to judge a person by having an R behind his name. What are you going to be remembered for?
Monty at 4:22PM on Jul 12th 2008
6. Too bad pigs like "mr" Nelson lack any sense of decency at all. I only hope when he passes from this earth there isn't someone spilling venom on a website about him. Then again, he's most likely too insignificant for anyone beside his family to notice or care.
wolfplus3 at 4:42PM on Jul 12th 2008
7.
Whichever party one belongs to I cannot think of a harder job than White House press secretary.
Mr Snow always appeared to be a gentleman.
Seeing him in interviews after he left the job confirmed this.
Let's not blame the man for the job he had to do.
Andrea at 5:29PM on Jul 12th 2008
8.
My dearest Mo,
My father passed away from cancer last September.
He always hated the obits stating "after a courageous battle with..."
In his honor (and because we got 1/2 of our sense of humor from him)
his death notice read "...passed away after a courageous Kung-Fu battle with cancer."
Those who knew him loved it
Andrea at 5:30PM on Jul 12th 2008
9. Mo--Thanks for mentioning Tony Snow in today’s blog. I’ve always been somewhat moderate and I appreciate hearing political analysis from all sides, which is what I’ll remember Mr. Snow for. I can see from your comment about how supportive he was towards you that he was someone who took a personal as well as professional interest in people. My thoughts are with his family.
Since I have a hard enough time editing my own comments here (yeah, it seems I’ve left out some words now and then) I will sloooowly (error intended) type “congratulations” to the winner of the texting championship. Two thumbs up!
SGS at 8:36PM on Jul 12th 2008
10. Aw Mo,
I've always said that "texting" was a hooligan sport, right up there with soccer, dog fighting and figure skating.
It's just unfortunate that people have to get hurt, i.e. sore thumbs, tripping up the stairs, before people stop attending these events. Did that winner happen to mention if his girlfriend's name was Tonya?
JG^^
John Giza at 9:53AM on Jul 13th 2008
11. JG—I agree. I consider the sport of “texting” to be as inhumane as watching the quick brown fox jump over the lazy sleeping dog.
SGS at 12:08PM on Jul 13th 2008
12. Mo,
very nice thoughts on Snow, it's more of that type of decent thought process we need this political season based on humanity, the true issue, not politics.
Al Nelson couldn't help but crawl out from under his rock to post his fabricated political disdain in order to be heard. Mr. Nelson, silence would have at least maintained any semblance of dignity you had in letting the moment fade.
Some just can't help themselves.
Regards to the Snow family...
Bobby at 1:11PM on Jul 13th 2008
13. I will so miss Tony Snow, his intelligence, enthusiasm, warmth, humor, character, and any other adjective used to describe an exceptional and wonderful person. He bore an uncanny physical resemblance to my father, who died of cancer in 1955 at the age of 49, as well as their sharing the character traits mentioned. Perhaps that is one reason I have been so touched by his passing. God bless you Jill and children. If I will miss him so much, I can't even imagine the difficult road ahead of you. You will be in my prayers.
Carol White at 3:26PM on Jul 13th 2008
14. wolfplus - you are giving al nelson to much credit... I do not think he'll be missed by his family and he does not have any friends.
Mr Snow will be greatly missed, and my heart goes out to his family. God bless y'all...
Man_in_Wilderness at 5:19PM on Jul 13th 2008
15. My heart goes out to Mr. Snow's loved ones.
giftedgirl at 12:42AM on Jul 14th 2008