Tony Snow, the former White House press secretary who arrived from Fox News, and most recently was a correspondent for CNN, died this morning following a three-year battle against colon cancer. He was 53.
It's always in times of death that even one's enemies find as many good things to say about you as your friends. So while Roger Ailes, Rupert Murdoch, Brit Hume, and the Bush administration has accolades ready for the soundbite, so too do those who found him most appalling, and spent at least part of their careers attacking him.
MSNBC host Keith Olbermann: Tony Snow was an optimistic, funny, and courageous man who could set aside his politics and inspire others to do the same. It might surprise many at all political points, but while we could not have disagreed more on policy, we were in frequent contact, even during his days as Press Secretary, even as I was criticizing his work and he was — in his own words — yelling at the screen as he watched. It was with great sadness that I heard of his death today, and with sincerity I extend my condolences and my staff's to his family. In the best of us, there is a difference between the message and the messenger, and Tony Snow epitomized that."
CBS News president Sean McManus: "It was with great sadness that we learned of the death of Tony Snow this morning. Before Tony entered public service, he was an admired and beloved colleague in our industry. He will be remembered not only for his contributions as both a journalist and a public servant, but for his devotion to his family and his love of life. The condolences of everyone at CBS News go out to Tony's wife, Jill, and their three children."
Editorial Director
Tony was a traitor to journalism and an apologist for the Bush fiasco.
Like Tony, Hitler was said to be charming at cocktail parties…
The lavish praise accorded Tony Snow is a result of the minefield of lying that characterizes the US main stream media. While he was alive dozens of newsmen and women cussed to themselves after hearing his prevaricating answers and efforts to protect the Bush Administration.
For that is what he saw his spokesmans job to be, protect Bush, lie when necessary and always use your erudition to pretend that you are really enjoying the give and take of questioning from legitimate journalists.
The actual fact is that he would use his command of the English language to spar with newshounds in an effort to deflect truthful answers and steer the questions towards detailed inanity.
That was his stock and trade, what fawning sycophants now call his love of the argumentation. The fact stands out that Snow erected a nearly imperturbable mask of good humored arrogance to stymie journos who were simply seeking straight answers. Replay the tapes and you will see what I mean.
All the good wishes are from those who felt he did the best job so far in preventing the press from learning the truth about the most corrupt, criminal administration in recent history.
Tony G.