RIP, Tony Snow; Update: Brit Hume tribute video added
posted at 8:43 am on July 12, 2008 by Ed Morrissey
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Radio and television host Tony Snow, who breathed new life into the role of White House press secretary, died at 53 from complications of cancer:
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, has died 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.
“The White House has lost a great friend and a great colleague,” said President Bush’s press secretary Dana Perino. “We all loved watching him at the podium, but most of all we learned how to love our families and treat each other.”
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. A sometime fill-in host for Rush Limbaugh, Snow said he loved the intimacy of his radio audience.
This weekend will bring many personal tributes, but allow me just a minor example. At the 2004 Republican convention, when I had been blogging for less than a year, I was introduced to Tony almost accidentally. I was shocked when he knew my blog, and maybe even more shocked at how he treated me — as a colleague, an equal in an arena where most of us bloggers felt like Cindarella among ten thousand stepsisters.
He wanted to interview me for his radio show, but he couldn’t work me in. Instead, we chatted off the air for a while, and he impressed me as a man who absolutely loved his work. 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.
When Tony told the world about his illness and took a leave of absence, I sent him an e-mail wishing him well. I was only a little surprised to get a note back from him on his return, thanking me and complimenting me on my work. By that time, I knew what kind of man Tony Snow was, and I hoped his return would mean many years of us enjoying his work as much as he did. Alas, it was not in the cards.
My condolences and prayers go out to Tony’s family and friends. We lost a good man and a class act. Godspeed, Tony.
Update: Brit Hume narrates a tribute to Tony’s career, this morning on Fox:
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He should feel like a snail every day.
wise_man on July 12, 2008 at 4:52 PM
+1
Thanks, Tony.
maverick muse on July 12, 2008 at 4:58 PM
What a horrible loss. He was an amazingly talented man.
JeffreyLloyd on July 12, 2008 at 5:00 PM
Beto Ochoa on July 12, 2008 at 12:33 PM
starry path, lovely Ode to Tony.
maverick muse on July 12, 2008 at 5:02 PM
Always loved Snow. Thought he was best at Fox News Sunday and was a great stand in for Rush. In fact, I started listening to Snow before I listened to Rush. Anyway, everyone will say Snow was nice and loved by everybody. What I will remember about Snow is his toughness. Tough as nails. He never took the easy out, sought any sympathy, nor did he take a single easy out. He stood by President Bush in the darkest of times when many Republicans had turned their back on him. Republicans and conservatives alike have a lot to learn from the example set by the marvelous Tony Snow.
Angry Dumbo on July 12, 2008 at 5:09 PM
I liked what baldilocks wrote in the headline thread.
Connie on July 12, 2008 at 5:11 PM
It’s tough watching Fox; watching grown men try to contain their tears.
baldilocks on July 12, 2008 at 5:12 PM
How old are his children?
exhelodrvr on July 12, 2008 at 5:39 PM
Another case of the good dieing young. We have far too few good journalist, now we have one less.
Maxx on July 12, 2008 at 5:40 PM
It is tough, but it’s also beautiful to see how one man so deeply touched others.
Connie on July 12, 2008 at 5:42 PM
Just very sad to lose one of those good men in the political sphere, especially so soon after Tim Russert’s passing. My condolences.
HotAirJosef on July 12, 2008 at 5:45 PM
I really liked Tony when he was still on Fox and I distinctly remember when he reported that 86% of “sneak and peak” searches were being used for things other than terrorism. Once he became a mouthpiece for the criminals I didn’t like him so much but still thought he had some good in him. I understand going the principled route is much tougher and not all are up to the challenge.
LevStrauss on July 12, 2008 at 5:53 PM
John 14: 16-18; John 15: 18-20;
John 16: 22-24, 33; John 17: 24-26
maverick muse on July 12, 2008 at 6:00 PM
What wonderful things have been said by all the HA readers about Tony Snow. I feel such a sense of loss and cannot imagine the pain his wife and children are feeling but the legacy he has left will be enormous. This praise chorus which he probably sang quite often comes to mind and I pray it will be their comfort…
“Grace alone, which God supplies,
Strength unknown He will provide,
Christ in us, our Cornerstone,
We will go forth, in Grace alone.
Believer88 on July 12, 2008 at 6:10 PM
Entelechy on July 12, 2008 at 6:11 PM
That’s sad news. I had thought he pretty much had it beat. Definately one of the good guys. Condolences to his family.
Hog Wild on July 12, 2008 at 6:12 PM
Tony Snow was a talented musician who played the guitar, flute, trombone, accordion, saxophone, and piccolo.
Entelechy on July 12, 2008 at 6:17 PM
Phuqqing cancer.
Tony737 on July 12, 2008 at 6:38 PM
He was the real deal.
No more suffering Tony. Rest.
labrat on July 12, 2008 at 6:55 PM
Multi-talented. I was not aware of this.
labrat on July 12, 2008 at 6:56 PM
Well the celebration of his death has started on the huffington post and the Daily Marxist. Nice to see the liberal blogs keep it classy. What a disgrace.
nazo311 on July 12, 2008 at 7:02 PM
I sure hope Tony’s family gets to read the postings here at HA………….. truly thoughtful, respectful, and full of Love and admiration:
Seven Percent Solution on July 12, 2008 at 7:06 PM
This world is richer for having known Tony.
Godspeed.
ZK on July 12, 2008 at 7:18 PM
May the sands of time
Recount the beauty of a soul
Reminding us
Of the fragility of life
And the Glory of it all….
Fare thee well Tony
jerrytbg on July 12, 2008 at 8:22 PM
jerrytbg, how very true. Thank you for reminding us all, so eloquently.
Entelechy on July 12, 2008 at 8:25 PM
Goodbye. And welcome home.
darkpixel on July 12, 2008 at 8:40 PM
Heaven must have needed a flautist.
The Race Card on July 12, 2008 at 9:11 PM
I remember Tony Snow,way back around the Clinton administration,when Rush Limbaugh coined the show
“America Held hostage” day 50,100 or something like
that.
I was a courrier for Purolator company on a rural route,
lots of driving time for the radio,sometimes on a Friday
or Monday,you would hear,filling in for Rush is,and I’m
thinking Walter Williams,okay,great humour,then its a guy
named Tony Snow.
I never heard of Tony Snow,after an hour of Republican
politics and conservative values,and the way Tony handled
the Liberal callers with humour and grace,I loved this guy,
he’s not Rush,but the next closest thing!
I know Tony had cancer,but I thought he would beat it,and
I just found out off Drudge,I pray for his family,and I’m
really going to miss Tony.—————————-:)
canopfor on July 12, 2008 at 9:29 PM
Big Man.
Big Heart.
Big Ideas.
Big Loss.
RIP Tony, we have lost one of the very good ones.
fogw on July 12, 2008 at 9:42 PM
You are kidding, right?
MsUnderestimated on July 12, 2008 at 10:15 PM
you need to go to huffpo, and see how they are celebrating…
one them even said ‘thank you, Jesus’.
Liberals are worse than scum.
Chudi on July 12, 2008 at 10:22 PM
I was SO saddened to hear of Tony’s death. He was cool. He was smart, funny, kind, and witty. And he was the best damned press secretary the White House will EVER have.
God bless his family. He was a great Christian and a great man. He is in Heaven with Jesus now. Sad for us but absolutely awesome for him!
PoliticallyIncorrectSandy on July 12, 2008 at 10:28 PM
If I ever had any respect for you ,it’s now gone …..you are an unwanted crease in the fabric of life!
jerrytbg on July 12, 2008 at 10:29 PM
From London, I did not see this gentleman in his Fox days. I saw him only during his short time at the White House.
What a fine, brave man. Always a twinkle in his eye, always a polite slapdown to the press-corps idiots - and always a straight answer to serious questins.
Blessings to his family and friends. A man of rare quality
JohninLondon on July 12, 2008 at 10:33 PM
ah….
jerrytbg on July 12, 2008 at 10:34 PM
Wow. I think we need to take advantage of every day. This is another reminder. Life is a gift and we need to do our best to love another and serve another. Our prayers are for the family. May God bless you greatly. Thank you Tony for all your work. You did a great job!
flash044 on July 12, 2008 at 10:36 PM
Thank you, Connie…
MsUnderestimated on July 12, 2008 at 10:47 PM
A short lifetime, but fuller than 5 that most people live.
One of the good guys.
As his family surely learned from him:
“Love is stronger than death.”
Good luck in the next assignment, Tony.
profitsbeard on July 12, 2008 at 11:22 PM
i miss you! we all miss you!
blatantblue on July 12, 2008 at 11:33 PM
I could not have said it better. Well done! All day long…I feel like I have lost a really good friend. Seriously, that’s how I feel.
Glynn on July 12, 2008 at 11:50 PM
…and the tragedy is, lesser men live on while good men die
Janos Hunyadi on July 12, 2008 at 11:54 PM
I have to admit; when I hear of the passings of various talking heads from the media, it hits me only so hard. I don’t say this to be cold, but it’s simply true; the conversation is one-sided as the TV or radio talks at me, and, although I get to absorb and consider and mull over what was said, there isn’t quite an emotional connection.
Tony Snow, to me, is quite different. I remember listening to him as I was starting to follow Rush. His humility, his sensibility, his sense of humanity, to me, was always apparent. Even if Rush was gone for a given episode, I really didn’t feel like I was missing out at all with Tony Snow at the helm.
I was proud of him as he rose through Fox News and then onto the White House. He seemed less like a talking head, and more of an aquientence, moving onto bigger and better things.
When I first heard he had cancer, there was an additional emotion connection for me. I’m also a cancer surviver, and I understood–or at least had an empathy for–what he was about to undergo, both physically and mentally.
When I heard that he had overcome the cancer, or at least the first round, I was also happy. I felt relieved–for him, his family, his friends.
To read this was just…I can’t even describe it. “Saddening” doesn’t even being to scratch the surface.
Tony wasn’t a talking head to me. He was a friend. And he will be missed.
CatsGodot on July 12, 2008 at 11:55 PM
Godspeed Tony. A classier, funnier..and tougher guy than I would have ever expected to see thrive in politics and the news media. I’ll miss ya.
austinnelly on July 12, 2008 at 11:59 PM
….. it’s all about you isn’t it….. well, this post is for Tony and his family.
Tony, we will always be with you, for your family………
Seven Percent Solution on July 13, 2008 at 12:09 AM
as a fellow fighter battling a very nefarious foe, I wish Tony peace
jojostan on July 13, 2008 at 12:27 AM
“Our” Tony Snow…
nice tribute from Juan Williams,
amazingly, a lot of Americans DID feel that Tony was “ours”.
maverick muse on July 13, 2008 at 9:18 AM
Tony taught us HOW to argue without spite.
He was a prince among men.
maverick muse on July 13, 2008 at 9:19 AM
I remember seeing that clip of him interrupting Bush, LOL We’ll miss you Tony!
Joshua P. Allem on July 13, 2008 at 10:03 AM
Rush gave a great tribute to Tony on Fox News Sunday, reminding us how Tony countered questions that were incorrectly founded. That the MSM were so ugly in their epitaphs was because Tony didn’t let them get away with ubertard mantras to weave wholecloth at the White House’s expense.
Wrapping it up, he told Wallace, “Thanks, it was great to finally be on.” heh
maverick muse on July 13, 2008 at 10:37 AM
Finished watching the Fox tribute to Tony Snow and was reminded of how admirable he was and how a person so far removed from ones own daily life could have such a positive effect. His affirmation of life, even during his bleakest times, encourages me to strive for, but never achieve, the excellence that he attained. Condolences to the Snow family and friends. He will be fondly remembered.
captivated_dem on July 13, 2008 at 11:30 AM
Tony seemed a genuine man who showed genuine love of family, love of life, love of country and love of career.
He will be missed.
My prayers are with his family.
Corky on July 13, 2008 at 11:44 AM
Thank-you, Mr. Snow. Rest easy.
srhoades on July 13, 2008 at 3:30 PM
For anyone intersted, I found a great tribute site for Tony if you want to leave your remembrances.
http://respectance.com/Tony_Snow/memorial?gclid=CL21io3VvZQCFQcqIgodviSJTg
Glynn on July 13, 2008 at 4:16 PM
I’m certain that someone has already looked into the gleeful cesspool of the left, but here’s a link that will make you lose your lunch.
Stay classy, liberals.
Physics Geek on July 13, 2008 at 6:02 PM
I loved Tony a lot. Such a great voice for conservative thought, Mr. Snow was also a terrific human lesson in how to be a complete class act. He will be greatly missed.
My thoughts and prayers are with his family.
Jockolantern on July 13, 2008 at 6:26 PM
A great Conservative, A wonderful father/husband, a good man… Knowing in advance that he had cancer does nothing to soften this blow to my heart. I’ll miss him sorely. There is much solace in knowing that others like him will be comforting his family, emulating his legacy, and continuing the good Conservative fight. To his family… Godspeed. To Mr. Snow… Thank you, Sir.
Rugged Individual on July 13, 2008 at 7:11 PM
God needed a great press secretary, what with all the stuff going on down here. I sure will miss Tony Snow.
Here is an odd tribute from the spokesperson of his alma mater:
The Liberals have no shame. Rub it in, what we all know - all of our institutions of learning, higher-lower-and in between, are totally infused with liberals, from the spokespeople down to the cleaning crew.
Time to do something about that, Tony. See what you can do.
eaglesdontflock on July 13, 2008 at 7:24 PM
During Fox News Sunday’s excellent tribute to Tony Snow today, his Commencent Address at Catholic University was mentioned. Here it is:
Tony Snow at Catholic University
Eminently worth reading. His voice is so familiar that I can hear every word in it.
MrLynn on July 13, 2008 at 8:48 PM
Thanks for posting that link. It was indeed worth reading. I bookmarked it and printed out a copy.
backwoods conservative on July 13, 2008 at 9:40 PM
Well said, CatsGodot. Ditto.
Ed, I never had the opportunity to meet Tony Snow, but after emailing him to wish him well during his treatment (I’m also a cancer survivor), I was also surprised to receive a response. I never expect public figures to have the time or inclination to respond to emails from Jo Schmos like me, and little things like that say what a thoughtful, gracious person he was. Not that it wasn’t evident already, of course.
I am so sad about his passing. I really thought he’d beat it, and in fact, it never really seemed like actually dying was part of the picture. I knew it was a hard fight for him, you could see it plainly - but I thought the worst thing would just be the treatment, especially since he had such a positive attitude.
I pray for God to give his wife and children strength. I also pray that this might inspire people to get screened for cancer themselves, so they might not suffer as he (and his family!) did.
bamapachyderm on July 13, 2008 at 10:40 PM
It goes to show that you never know how many people you might impact, simply by living your life with honesty and integrity.
Tony Snow was a real class act. He was the sort of man that, even if you disagreed with him (which I don’t remember ever doing, personally), I can’t comprehend how anyone could honestly have disliked him. And I never even met the man, but it was obvious even through the TV screen that he had that sort of genuine quality about him.
The people who now take this opportunity to spew hatred about this wonderful man are revealing something truly pitiable in themselves. They ought to be ashamed, and for the rest of their lives. But since they won’t be, public excoriation is the next best thing.
Cylor on July 14, 2008 at 12:03 AM
I totally agree.
Glynn on July 14, 2008 at 12:49 AM
The qualifier about his politics was unnecessary. I agree with you. Another poster here (I’m sorry, I don’t remember who) used the phrase “sugar coated poison darts.” That’s exactly what that statement was. How unfortunate.
Glynn on July 14, 2008 at 3:33 AM
Guys,
It gets worse in the insult department.
Ms. Underestimated just reported that the Merry Band of Hatemongers are going to show up at his funeral.
newton on July 14, 2008 at 2:13 PM
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