Tony Snow dead at 53

By Brian Kirwin

Published July 12th, 2008

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20 Responses to “Tony Snow dead at 53”

The Squeaky Wheel on July 12th, 2008 at 9:38 am

Tony Snow is the kind of Conservative I strive to be. Light hearted, smart and dedicated. It goes to show you bad things happen to great people.

On a side note, one has to wonder if the press will fall over themselves over this death half as much as they did for Tim Russert… I am going to guess No.
J.R. on July 12th, 2008 at 9:56 am

But SW does bring up a good point…Tim Russert, George Carlin, now, Tony Snow.

For those older than my generation, death is nothing new. But for those of us in our 30’s, people we grew up admiring for their dedication and talent are leaving us way too soon.

It serves as yet one more lesson to cherish our lives and make the most of them.

For more on the life of Tony Snow, read the reports from Fox News today.

There is little doubt that Fox News might not be where it is today if it weren’t for the instant credibility Snow gave it in the mid-90’s when he hosted its newly-launched Sunday program.

You’re absolutely, right, SW. Snow served as a great example of how to conduct yourself as a reporter and spokesman. With so many bad examples, Snow served as the ideal.
Ragnar on July 13th, 2008 at 8:50 am

First, Tony Snow was a good man, not my favorite reporter for obvious reasons (although I liked him better before he started shilling for W.), but he was clearly someone who understood that politics wasn’t personal - and who led a good life.

Secondly, I have to respond to SW’s comment, Tony Snow was not Tim Russert, not by a long-shot. There really was only one TR. When I went to see Stephen Colbert at GW last fall Tim Russert was the moderator. When TR came on stage (it was a surprise for the audience), he recieved a spontaneous standing ovation. I doubt any other reporter active today would have received such a response.

TR touched most as a simple American determined to reach the truth, who spoke truth to power, and as someone with a passion for politics and life. Tony Snow’s death, while tragic, is not of the same caliber.
Chase on July 13th, 2008 at 9:27 am

Nicely done, Ragnar, to completely change the subject from Tony Snow to Tim Russert.

I’m sure the Snow family would appreciate your concern for the Russerts.
Brian Kirwin on July 13th, 2008 at 11:56 am

And there, my friends, you see the difference between the parties.

Ragnar can’t even talk kindly about the recently deceased without slamming them and making a George W. attack.
Ragnar on July 13th, 2008 at 1:33 pm

Chase and BK, did you even bother reading what SW wrote? I was simply responding. If you want to criticize, please place the blame with SW - and thus (BK) with the GOP, where it belongs.

Of course, this is the difference between the parties, the GOP swiftboats at will, when a Dem responds to the charge, the Dem is attacked for mudslinging…

What is truly sad is how you have used this post as a bully-pulpit.
Brian Kirwin on July 13th, 2008 at 1:37 pm

I didn’t see SW take a shot at the President in a memorial post. I saw you do it.
J.R. on July 13th, 2008 at 2:17 pm

Ragnar,
All SW was pointing out is that the media’s coverage is likely to be a footnote, where the Russert coverage was more like a state funeral.

Here, Snow, a presidential speech writer, spokesman of the CURRENT president, a well-known opinion-maker, a key figure in the ascension of a news network, and part of the foundation of the modern conservative movement, is going to be off the front page as quickly as he was put on.

This is not a partisan swipe at Russert, just a statement of fact.

Snow was an important figure to millions of Americans, but it is likely that the media will forget him as soon as they possibly can and move on to trashing Republicans, McCain and the president as soon as convenient.

While SW may have made mention of his concerns about media bias, you trancended the discussion, as you often do, into something completely different. You had to go into “why Russert was better” and a swipe on Snow’s credibility.

It was in bad taste.
The Squeaky Wheel on July 13th, 2008 at 6:37 pm

JR has it right. This was not a partisan swipe. Truth be told I wrote about Russert and held him in high regard (It is painfully obvious who does NOT read Bearing Drift Ohio everytime I comment here anymore).

Jim hit it on the head… Russerts coverage was like a state funeral… I was nto taking anything away from Russert, no was trying to claim Snow as being Russert… Just pointing it out.

In Ragnars defense, he WAS responding to my point that Russert gains more attention, but in Jim and Brian’s defense, Raganar did argue, not that Russert gets more or less attention, but how Russeert was a better person and something about the president (of course).

I am sorry I left the comment I did… did not want the post to become (Yet another) partisan hack job forum. Oh well. I did, however post my thoughts on Bearing Drift Ohio (Or as I like to refer to it “The tree that falls in the forrest for VA Bloggers… no one hears it”
Ragnar on July 14th, 2008 at 12:00 am

Er no, I never argued that Russert was a better person, only a more popular one.

Other than to say what I have, I will simply add that I think we’ve all blown this way out of proportion. A few minutes of contemplative prayer during tonight’s two-hour church service has forced me to re-asses any response; I am sorry that this developed as it did - and I was greatly responsible. Mr. Snow was a fine man who will be missed, cancer sucks.
Brian Kirwin on July 14th, 2008 at 7:53 am

Hey, Ragnar. You have a friend!

http://armchairgeneralist.typepad.com/my_weblog/2008/07/tony-snow-is-de.html

This liberal (oops, progressive) says about Tony Snow “I’m trying to feel something at his passing, but it really isn’t happening. I hope he gets to trade jokes with Jesse Helms and Strom Thurmond as they bake in hell.”

Your side is soooooo classy, Ragnar.
ragnar on July 14th, 2008 at 10:04 am

Even after I appologize for any offense caused you just can’t help yourself from attacking. I feel sorry for you.

PS - You live in a glass house, before you start thowing stones about which side is classier (neither?) you should stop and think about all the nuts on the right, or just listen to Rush or Ann Coulter on any given day. So classy…
Brian Kirwin on July 14th, 2008 at 10:53 am

Pointing out an attack is now called attacking?
ragnar on July 14th, 2008 at 11:39 am

Are you dizzy from all that spinning?
Brian Kirwin on July 14th, 2008 at 11:42 am

yours?
ragnar on July 14th, 2008 at 2:18 pm

The answer would be yes then.
Brian Kirwin on July 14th, 2008 at 3:04 pm

C’mon, Rags. You’re married. You shouldn’t cozy up to me like this anymore.
The Squeaky Wheel on July 14th, 2008 at 8:52 pm

sigh….
Ragnar on July 14th, 2008 at 11:53 pm

I think SW is a little jealous…
Joel McDonald on July 15th, 2008 at 7:41 am

Snow was a talented man whom you really couldn’t help to connect with. He was the best person the Bush administration ever had speaking for the White House. While I may not agree with everything that was being conveyed through him, I couldn’t help but to feel that he spoke to the media, and too all of us, with respect. For that reason, I respected him. May he rest in peace, and his family be comforted.