Tony Snow dies of cancer

Yet another class act has passed:

Tony Snow, a conservative writer and commentator who cheerfully sparred with reporters in the White House briefing room during a stint as President Bush's press secretary, has died of colon cancer, Fox News reported Saturday. Snow was 53 years old.

Snow, who served as the first host of the television news program "Fox News Sunday" from 1996 to 2003, would later say that in the Bush administration he was enjoying "the most exciting, intellectually aerobic job I'm ever going to have."

Snow was working for Fox News Channel and Fox News Radio when he replaced Scott McClellan as press secretary in May 2006 during a White House shake-up. Unlike McClellan, who came to define caution and bland delivery from the White House podium, Snow was never shy about playing to the cameras.

With a quick-from-the-lip repartee, broadcaster's good looks and a relentlessly bright outlook -- if not always a command of the facts -- he became a popular figure around the country to the delight of his White House bosses.

God rest his soul, God comfort his wife and children.

Comments

[Mommynator]

I'm so sorry to hear this. Another decent human being taken away from us.

Our condolences to his family and friends.

[John Rose]

Sad indeed. Sadder still that the writer of this column couldn't resist getting in the 'command of the facts' dig.

Tony was a true gentleman, in the finest sense of the word, from all accounts. I'll miss his commentary and his good humor.

[Locutisprime]

I noted that same dig when I read the piece earlier on Drudge. I always liked Tony. I felt that he had that quality that all the others wished they had, which was the ability to connect with his audience on the level of trust.

May he now find the eternal rest and love of the promised reward.