Tony Snow dies; ex-Bush press secretary was 53

by dunkelberg | July 12, 2008 at 04:28 am

856 views | 47 Recommendations | 13 comments

Breaking News: Tony Snow dies; ex-Bush press secretary was 53
After a long, candid and public battle with colon cancer, former White House press secretary and radio talk-show host Tony Snow died early this morning.

Immediate details were sketchy. But the news bulletin moved shortly after 7 a.m. Eastern time. Snow was 53.

He previously served as chief speechwriter for President George H.W. Bush and as a frequent host on the Fox News Channel on 'Fox News Sunday,' 'Weekend Live' and 'The O'Reilly Factor.'

He also guest-hosted for Rush Limbaugh and had his own radio talk-show.

Last September after 17 months in the White House job Snow retired as President George W. Bush's third press secretary, saying with his cancer he needed to earn more for his family than the job's $168,000 salary. He was succeeded by Dana Perino.

Tony Snow's death from colon cancer is a wake call to us all, particularly those over 40 or those who have someone they love over 40 years old.

Politisite has posted an excellent article on

Top Colon Cancer Prevention TipsIt is well worth the read.

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Uwe Paschen

flagged this story as Good Stuff

at 04:32 on July 12th, 2008

dunkelberg, I like this story. It's good stuff.

Hum, Money is not every thing!

dunkelberg

at 05:15 on July 12th, 2008

Thanks for the flag and how very true.

Albert Milliron

flagged this story as Good Stuff

at 07:12 on July 12th, 2008

dunkelberg, I like this story. It's good stuff. This was a very good ma. He loved America, and just thought he was the luckest Guy. In politics, he would talk to small media outside of the press room. He used the last part of his life to talk about Cancer and his book. Lots of respect for Tony. I am sad he lefyt this earth early. He always made it sound like he was getting better and always tried to look well. Gob Bless his family.

Thanks for doing this story, I know you ususually take the opposing side, but everyone knows this man had clean hands.

dunkelberg

at 07:29 on July 12th, 2008

Thanks, politisite.

You know, he had a great sense of humor, even if you were on the wrong side of it. He was a pretty good jazz flute player too.

He seemed like a genuinely nice person, who seemed to really enjoy whatever he was doing.

Albert Milliron

at 07:21 on July 12th, 2008

I think one other note would be good here. Presidents ususually hire Public Relations educated folks for their PS. Tony was a journalist and commentator, He didn't use spin and was straight. It dioesn't mean he didn't try to frame things to look better. it just means he was never a professional spindoctor. I liked that about him.

Colon cancer has hit my family all the way around. I have Chrohns disease, MY Gandmother died months ago witn Colon cancer. He urged people to get a colonoscopy a procedure that saves lives. Two weeks ago, one of my church members father got colon cancer and he asked his son to go get the procedure. He had pre-cancerious polops. I urge anyone who is 40 years old or more to get the procedure. Men get a PSA as well. Colon cancer is deadly but if detected early can be treated. The worst part of the who thing is the prep.

Because of me having Chrohns disease I get this procedure every 2 years. It is worth the little bit of discomfort and embarrassment. Tony was on a tour to ask folks to get this procedure. Please take his advise.

dunkelberg

at 07:28 on July 12th, 2008

I agree!

The procedure is a lifesaver and really not that big of a deal, folks.

Do it.

There's a very good chance there are people who want you around as long as possible and you are doing it for them as much as for yourself.

Karen Hatter

flagged this story as Good Stuff

at 07:29 on July 12th, 2008

Dunkelberg, I like this story. It's good stuff.

dunkelberg

at 07:30 on July 12th, 2008

Thanks.

Scrivener

at 07:55 on July 12th, 2008

Tony went to the White House with personal integrity and the respect of his colleagues, and left it with integrity and the respect of his colleagues. George Bush benefitted greatly from the open window that Tony brought along with him.

It's a tragedy that he died so young. As we mourn, we should also encourage the medical press to delve deeply into the story of his passing. How could a man with the best medical care available be stricken by a disease that's said to be preventable with early detection? Did Tony get regular colon screenings in the years leading up to his diagnosis? Was Tony's cancer more virulent than most? And if so, what may have been the genesis of such a virulent strain?

As in the case of Tim Russert's untimely death, there are questions to be asked and answered even as we mourn a truly accomplished individual and by all accounts an honorable and dedicated servant to the public.

BigT

at 15:47 on July 12th, 2008

Colon cancer runs in Mr. Snow's family and he was getting a test every six months. They just missed it and the cancer was too aggressive to be beat back. Very, very sad.