I Wake To Tears … God Bless And Bon Voyage, Valiant Tony Snow
You did damn good …
(The White House)
President and Mrs. Bush Saddened by Death of Tony Snow
Laura and I are deeply saddened by the death of our dear friend, Tony Snow. Our thoughts and prayers are with his wife, Jill, and their children, Kendall, Robbie, and Kristi. The Snow family has lost a beloved husband and father. And America has lost a devoted public servant and a man of character.
Tony was one of our Nation’s finest writers and commentators. He earned a loyal following with incisive radio and television broadcasts. He was a gifted speechwriter who served in my father’s Administration. And I was thrilled when he agreed to return to the White House to serve as my Press Secretary. It was a joy to watch Tony at the podium each day. He brought wit, grace, and a great love of country to his work. His colleagues will cherish memories of his energetic personality and relentless good humor.
All of us here at the White House will miss Tony, as will the millions of Americans he inspired with his brave struggle against cancer. One of the things that sustained Tony Snow was his faith - and Laura and I join people across our country in praying that this good man has now found comfort in the arms of his Creator.
(FOX)
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.
Snow died at 2 a.m. Saturday at Georgetown University Hospital in Washington, D.C.
Snow joined FOX in 1996 as the original anchor of “FOX News Sunday” and hosted “Weekend Live” and a radio program, “The Tony Snow Show,” before departing in 2006.
“It’s a tremendous loss for us who knew him, but it’s also a loss for the country,” Roger Ailes, chairman of FOX News, said Saturday morning about Snow, calling him a “renaissance man.”
As a TV pundit and commentator for FOX News, Snow often was critical of Bush before he became the president’s third press secretary, following Ari Fleischer and Scott McClellan. He was an instant study in the job, mastering the position — and the White House press corps — with apparent ease.
“One of the reasons I took this job is not only to work with the president, but, believe it or not, to work with all of you,” Snow told reporters when he stepped into the post in 2006. “These are times that are going to be very challenging.”
During a tenure marked by friendly jousting with journalists, Snow often danced around the press corps, occasionally correcting their grammar and speech even as he responded to their questions.
“Tony did his job with more flair than almost any press secretary before him,” said William McGurn, Bush’s former chief speechwriter. “He loved the give-and-take. But that was possible only because Tony was a man of substance who had real beliefs and principles that he was more than able to defend.”
As he announced Snow as his new press secretary in May 2006, Bush praised him as “a man of courage [and] a man of integrity.” Snow presided over some of the toughest fights of Bush’s presidency, defending the administration during the Iraq war and the CIA leak investigation.
“I felt comfortable enough to interrupt him when he was BSing, and he kind of knew it, and he’d shut up and move on,” Snow said.
His tenure at the White House lasted 17 months and was interrupted by his second bout with cancer.
• FOX Facts: Tony Snow’s Battle With Cancer
Snow had his colon removed and underwent six months of chemotherapy after he was diagnosed with colon cancer in 2005. In 2007 he announced his cancer had recurred and spread to his liver, and he had a malignant growth removed from his abdominal area.
He resigned from the White House six months later, in September 2007, citing not his health but a need to earn more than the $168,000 a year he was paid in the government post. He was replaced by his deputy, Dana Perino, Bush’s current press secretary.
After taking time off to recuperate, Snow joined CNN as a political commentator early this year.
At the White House, Snow brought partisan zeal and the skills of a seasoned performer to the task of explaining and defending the president’s policies. During daily briefings he challenged reporters, scolded them and questioned their motives as if he were starring in a TV show broadcast live from the West Wing.
“The White House has lost a great friend and a great colleague,” said Perino in a statement released to the media. “We all loved watching him at the podium, but most of all we learned how to love our families and treat each other.”
Critics suggested Snow was turning the traditionally informational daily briefing into a personality-driven media event short on facts and long on confrontation. He was the first press secretary, by his own accounting, to travel the country raising money for Republican candidates.
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.
A sometime fill-in host for Rush Limbaugh, Snow said he loved the intimacy of his radio audience.
“I don’t think you ever arrive,” he said. “I think anybody who thinks they’ve arrived or made it, anywhere in the media — they’re nuts.”
Robert Anthony Snow was born June 1, 1955, in Berea, Ky., the son of a teacher and nurse. He graduated from Davidson College in 1977 with a bachelor’s degree in philosophy, and he taught briefly in Kenya before embarking on his journalism career.
Because of his love for writing, Snow took a job as an editorial writer for the Greensboro Record in North Carolina and went on to run the editorial pages at the Newport News (Virginia) Daily Press, Detroit News and Washington Times. He became a nationally syndicated columnist, and in 1991 he became director of speechwriting for President George H.W. Bush.
“He served people, and we can learn from that. He was kind, and we can learn from that. He was just a good person,” the senior Bush told FOX News.
• Remembering Tony Snow
Snow played six instruments — saxophone, trombone, flute, piccolo, accordion and guitar — and was in a D.C. cover band called Beats Workin’. He also was a film buff.
“He was a great musician,” Ailes said. “And he loved movies.”
More than anything, said Snow’s colleagues, he was a joy to work with.
“He was a lot of fun,” his former FOX News producer Griff Jenkins said. “This is a loss of a family member.”
FOX News Chief Washington Correspondent Jim Angle called Snow a “gentleman.”
Snow is survived by his wife, Jill Ellen Walker, whom he married in 1987; their son, Robbie; and daughters, Kendall and Kristi.
**** A request … *****
We ALL know how the left is going to react to the passing of this man. It’s in their nature … much like it is in the scorpion’s nature to sting.
PLEASE keep comments in this thread to thoughts and prayers of Tony Snow.
Anything you may come across regarding scorpion stinging please pop over to Deep Thoughts and LOCK AND LOAD AND FIRE AT WILL …
Many, many “thanks” for your understanding.
Be respectful of others and their opinions. Inflammatory remarks and inane leftist drivel will be deleted. It ain’t about free speech, remember you’re in a private domain. My website, my prerogative.
If you can't handle using your real email address, don't bother posting a comment.
RIP! A courageous, warrior of words who went down fighting! God Bless Tony Snow. Semper Fidelis RJI
July 12th, 2008 at 7:42 amRIP Tony. You were a class act. God Bless.
July 12th, 2008 at 7:52 amthis is a very sad day. those of us who believe in conservative values and the real America have lost a friend today.
Rest in Peace Tony Snow and thanks for always fighting for us. whether it be giving us accurate news or helping to beat back the spin doctors for the rest of MSM while you were press secretary.
July 12th, 2008 at 7:58 amGood night, Tony.
See you in the morning.
July 12th, 2008 at 7:58 am
July 12th, 2008 at 8:00 amWhat a true loss to society.
I give Tony Snow a good deal of credit for the surge being supported by America and approved by Congress. I had occasion to see the effect of his character on Dems I know that didn’t support Bush but the impact of Tony’s character as a spokesperson both for Bush and our military turned their minds.
R.I.P. Tony Snow.
July 12th, 2008 at 8:01 amThe political abyss is shallower and narrower because of your efforts.
We will miss his wit and absolute honesty. Honesty is something greatly lacking, in the field he chose to dedicate his life to. Tony Snow was one of a kind.
July 12th, 2008 at 8:12 amGOD BLESS TONY, NOW HIS SUFFERING IS OVER. I FEEL HORRIBLE FOR HIS FAMILY. REST IN PEACE BIG TONY.
July 12th, 2008 at 8:15 amI will miss you Tony Snow
July 12th, 2008 at 8:26 amDo me a HUGE favor, please?
PLEASE move your above comment and the provided link to Deep Thoughts.
Just incase the Snow Family/People happen to monitor tributes to him …
Perhaps we should keep this thread strictly for our thoughts and prayers … and note the [other] side in another thread (Deep Thoughts) …
Thanks, man.
I’ll delete your above comment after I have seen you moved it there.
Maggie
July 12th, 2008 at 8:34 am[…] To Tears … God Bless And Bon Voyage, Valiant Tony Snow July 12, 2008 — budsimmons https://pat-dollard.com/2008/07/i-wake-to-tears-god-bless-and-bon-voyage-tony-snow/ Posted in Tony […]
July 12th, 2008 at 8:47 amonly the good die young…. RIP Tony Snow
July 12th, 2008 at 9:18 amGodspeed Tony. You da man.
July 12th, 2008 at 9:36 amAlways loved listening to what you had to say.
Unlike a certain inadequate Press Secretary who preceded you, you were eloquent, loyal, and captivating.
R.I.P. Mr. Snow
I would like to think some on the left would honor your memory, but unfortunately that won’t be the case.
July 12th, 2008 at 9:41 amTony Snow, a genuine soul. R.I.P.
His presence and voice will be greatly missed. With all my respect and prayers for his family and loved ones.
Another great American patriot has flown home. We will meet him there someday.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TjgYsHt71XE
July 12th, 2008 at 9:51 amAh!
Well, a bit more collected now …
With the passing of my beloved Uncle just a few days ago … a passing I fully anticipated, accepted and even welcomed for his own peace … I woke (late) this morning to the top headline of Tony Snow’s passing.
Until seeing this news I thought I had handled my Uncle’s death like a brave little soldier should … as my Uncle would have demanded of me … with little or no tears, just strong resolve in life and afterlife …
But as soon as I head the words, “We morn the passing of our good friend Tony Snow” … My ‘levee’ broke.
All I could think of was the request … the foreshadowing words … of National Review Online’s Kathryn Jean Lopez nearly two months ago, “Please pray for Tony Snow”.
https://pat-dollard.com/2008/05/please-pray-for-tony-snow/
While that prayer request was for the continued life of Tony Snow, my prayers of the last few months have been for the ‘release’ of my Uncle’s deserving soul from the body that had been completely [spent] this last year. There was nothing left to save … Only a sweet surrender to Paradise.
Prayer is not simplistic or silly.
Like the gasoline and oil that fuels our cars and our progress for better lives, prayer fuels our souls … our spirits. Fortifies us to pick up, carry on, and perhaps with a bit more humility and compassion. Prayer brings peace and console to our troubled minds.
When we pray for someone who has passed from us we are not only sending up ‘intentions’ for the Dearly Departed Soul … but returning to that faith that often times in our obsessions with this mortal life eludes us.
By the circumstances my Uncle had survived and lived, he had lived a longer life expectancy than anyone else in his position. Had battles of his own he overcame.
Tony Snow battled and stayed strong to continue with whatever length of time The Almighty would grant him before calling him home. He was young, and left behind a young family.
When I saw/heard Tony Snow I KNEW I was getting the straight story … not opinion or agenda … and I will greatly miss that “trust”.
Tony Snow also left behind integrity, honor, fairness, objectivity and staunch professionalism.
The faltering news industry will be the less for this loss …
Hopefully his legacy will not be ignored … but learned from.
God bless Tony Snow’s family and friends … and bring them peace and joy in the life he had with them.
July 12th, 2008 at 10:32 amRest in Peace Tony
You will be missed. You are a great American.
July 12th, 2008 at 10:36 amI woke up this morning to this news and have followed the comments all day. Tony Snow seemed to me to be a cut above others and my heart goes out to his family!!! Our country will miss this man!!
July 12th, 2008 at 10:44 amThe good die young and the good die old. Youth has nothing to do with goodness or death. Unfortunately, everyone will have their turn. It is unfortunate also, that it is now Tony Snow’s turn. He was a good man and a great example to all.
He left a wonderful legacy. How better to live life however short or long, and leave such a fine memory behind for friends and foes alike to admire and be inspired by.
Prayers for his family. He will be sorely missed.
July 12th, 2008 at 11:14 amTo the wife and family of Tony Snow in case these messages are monitored:
I wanted his family to know that Tony is one guy I will truly miss in Washington. He was my favorite and has been from the first time I learned of him years ago reading a USA Today column.
Mostly when I think of the entire Washington circuit, I can’t relate; Conservative or Liberal doesn’t matter. I think all sides are for the most part elitist, self-serving and pretentious.
But Tony Snow was one of the few guys I would have liked to have personally met. He was one of us, a common day Joe who had made it big on talent. And I bet I would have called Tony a friend.
Perhaps there is some truth to only the good die young. A true Christian, a gentleman, a class act, smart and witty, a good looking guy - Tony had it all. I am sorry for Tony’s passing and our country is sorry for his loss.
A sad day indeed for our great nation…my prayers and thoughts are with you.
July 12th, 2008 at 11:30 amA great man who will be missed. I celebrate his life and what he has done and mourn his passing. My prayers are to his family.
July 12th, 2008 at 11:38 amTony Snow always impressed me with the way he handled the press and if he was only getting 168k a year, then he was way underpaid. He worked and fought hard to the very end. God Bless Tony Snow and his loved ones.
July 12th, 2008 at 12:59 pmRest Tony, you are an Angel among Angels now.
July 12th, 2008 at 1:31 pmA loss of a wonderful human being. Of course, skanky AP reporter had to throw an insult into the news story about his passing. What a complete joke. He was the anti-MSM–a class act.
July 12th, 2008 at 2:03 pmWhat an example he set for us to follow. Blessed are they that mourn for they shall be comforted.
July 12th, 2008 at 2:19 pmTony was an excellent guy. I’ll miss him. I was saddened by his death. I also had colon cancer. It ain’t fun.
July 12th, 2008 at 2:55 pmGodspeed Tony - you fought the good fight.
July 12th, 2008 at 3:07 pmMy prayers and condolences to the Snow family.
Two of the most unbiased television interviewers and all-around-decent guys have left us recently: Tim Russert and now Tony Snow. I’m curious to see if the MSM will give Tony the same days-long tributes.
“When the perishable has been clothed with the imperishable, and the mortal with immortality, then the saying that is written will come true: ‘Death has ben swallowed up in victory.’” (1 Corinthians 15:54)
July 12th, 2008 at 3:35 pmMy thoughts and prayers are with his family. He was a class act, true gentleman, and overall a patriot.
I hope the lord lets him know in heaven how many lives he touched on Earth.
July 12th, 2008 at 4:05 pmHonesty
July 12th, 2008 at 5:53 pmWas one of the Good Guys!
Will miss Him. RIP
July 12th, 2008 at 5:58 pmWELL DONE,GOD BLESS
July 12th, 2008 at 7:48 pmRIP and God Bless you, Tony. You were a great American.
July 12th, 2008 at 7:48 pmWhen our Father calls, we all must go. God’s speed Tony.
My prayers go to his wife and children. We all will miss him and mourn that he is no lomger with us.
July 12th, 2008 at 7:49 pm2 Timothy chp.4 vs. 7
July 12th, 2008 at 8:46 pmGod Speed, Tony Snow
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-g9YOpl8KIM
July 12th, 2008 at 9:04 pmThis is so heartbreaking.
God bless you, Tony Snow!
July 12th, 2008 at 9:07 pmR.I.P Snow
It’s a sad day.
Funny how someone you don’t know personally can feel like family. He was one of the good guys.
July 12th, 2008 at 9:29 pmIt’s always tough to loose one of the good guys.
, we know he is in a better place.
in tribute
July 12th, 2008 at 9:42 pmEspecially in the current climate when there seem to be so few left.
Eddie in Cali said it well, Toney ran the race.
And he did it with dignity and class.
While we are
And because of the we can
I was watching FNC’s continuing tribute to Tony Snow tonight.
Bill O`Reilly had on democrat talking-head Bob Beckel … He told a couple great stories about Tony. I guess he and Tony Snow had had a ‘crossfire-type’ show together in the early days of Fox.
First, apparently Snow started out a liberal democrat … then switched (as some/many of us have done). The best kind of conservative/Republicans are political “born agains” …
Then, in stressing just how good a guy and friend Tony was, Beckel told of how they were someplace and he (Beckel) was to give a speech the next day, but was too drunk to even write one. So, Snow wrote the whole thing for him … complete with liberal slant and jokes … saved Beckel’s ass.
July 12th, 2008 at 9:58 pmLord jesus thank you for giving us tony for all these years.god bless you tony.
July 13th, 2008 at 5:49 amI was shocked I didnt know he was that bad off.
July 13th, 2008 at 6:41 amAfter Rush the next conservative voice I listened to on the radio. I never missed his show.
He always explained the unexplainable.
You will be missed.
A life well done, Tony. Well done.
July 13th, 2008 at 7:58 am
I was hoping he would beat this-rip
July 13th, 2008 at 4:48 pmWe have lost a true class act. God bless him and his family.
July 13th, 2008 at 7:05 pmTony was the personification of class, honesty and integrity - he lived according to his faith in God, a hard thing to do in this world, especially in the political circles it was his job to travel. Hopefully it will bring comfort to his family to know that he is in a better place, awaiting them, with the God he worshiped alongside.
July 13th, 2008 at 10:11 pmGoodbye Natalie,
July 13th, 2008 at 10:39 pmNever have I felt a loss so strong as this.
I must be old and feeble to feel this loss so strongly.
I have lost brothers in blood, conflict and humanity.
Never before have I awoken to such a stark feeling of lonesomeness. I mourn now for this great human.
That is why I mourn, Tony was human.