Tony Snow Announces White House Departure

Press Secretary Says He Needs To Make More Money; Dana Perino Will Replace Him

(CBS/AP)  Tony Snow, the highly visible White House press secretary, will leave his job on Sept. 14 and be replaced by his deputy, Dana Perino.

"It's been joy to watch him spar with you," President Bush told the White House press corps in the briefing room Friday.

"I sadly accept his desire to leave the White House," Mr. Bush said.

Snow, who's battling cancer, had said recently he would leave before the end of Mr. Bush's presidency. The father of three children, Snow said he needs to make more than his White House salary of $168,000. He could earn far more money on the speechmaking circuit.

"He's smart. He's capable. He's witty. He's able to talk about issues in a way that the American people can understand," Mr. Bush said. "I don't know what he's going to do. I'm not sure he does yet, either.

"But whatever it is ... it's going to be two things - one, he'll battle cancer and win, and secondly, he'll be a solid contributor to society."

The 52-year-old Snow was a conservative pundit and syndicated talk-show host on Fox News Radio before he was named press secretary on April 26, 2006.

"This job has really been a dream for me, a real blast," Snow said at Friday's press briefing.

Snow has been undergoing chemotherapy after doctors discovered a recurrence of colon cancer in March. He said recent tests have revealed no new cancerous tumors.

Snow said his current plans are to give speeches, write, and otherwise stay visible in the political arena, as well as to speak about his cancer experience. "It's proved to be helpful to people," he said.

He is the latest in a string of White House officials to head for the exits.

Friday was the last day of work for political strategist Karl Rove. Others who have left since Democrats won control of Congress are counselor Dan Bartlett, chief White House attorney Harriet Miers, budget director Rob Portman, political director Sara Taylor, deputy national security adviser J.D. Crouch and Meghan O'Sullivan, another deputy national security adviser who worked on Iraq.

In 2005, Snow had his colon removed and underwent six months of chemotherapy after being diagnosed with cancer. This March, he underwent surgery to remove a growth in his abdominal area, near the site of the original colon cancer. Doctors determined it was a recurrence of his cancer.

He was out of work for five weeks, then returned and underwent chemotherapy, treatments that only recently concluded and have left him thinner, grayer and with less hair.

Snow earned his stripes within the White House for his striking popularity around the country, relentlessly good-natured and bright tone, and smooth, snappy repartee with the media during briefings. Reporters, though, grumbled that an emphasis on showmanship too often took precedence over rhetorical precision and careful preparation.

Some senior White House aides referred to his briefings as "The Tony Snow Show."

Snow was President Bush's third chief spokesman in just over six years that have been marked by increasingly tense relations between the White House and the reporters who cover it.

Snow had little experience as a press secretary before joining the White House team. He worked in the White House under Mr. Bush's father as a speechwriting director and spokesman for regional issues. As a pundit, he had been sharply critical of Mr. Bush at times.

He held several print journalism positions, mostly working for newspaper opinion pages, and was most recently the host of the "Tony Snow Show" on Fox News Radio and "Weekend Live with Tony Snow" on the Fox News Channel.

Perino, 35, has been Snow's principal deputy, filling in for him when he was away after surgery and at other times.

On taking over the job, Perino remarked, "He leaves very big shoes to fill, and I'm only a size 6."

Before joining the press office, she worked as associate director of communications at the White House Council on Environmental Quality.

[j-whitman]

To bad, I enjoyed listening to Tony,, They should have picked another like him instead of a echo of Karl Rove, or Tom Delay

[sunderan]

Good riddens!! Tony has NEVER been honest with the public, and has NEVER given an honest, factual, straight from the belt, answer to ANY question he was asked. That is so true of REPUBLICANS, anywhere. One could easily tell that Tony was a ''brown noser'' to the Bushes. The only good thing about him is that (was that) he is faithful to his boss - regardless. But to the world, he was no better that the officers of similar positions in the Russian Government, The Cuban Government, the Chinese Government, the North Korean Government, and the Iranian Government. Why is that we(THE US) have ''lost face'' in the world today? It is because this administration is so crooked and unbelieveable in anything that they do or say - always trying to engage in deception and pretense of doing ''right''.
The world now knows that Tony is just as truthful as his administration and boss. By his departure, we have now entered a period wherein we can try to redeem our(US) name and policies in the world of today. In the past 6 years, we have never stood out as the government to believe in, trust in and exemplify in.

[j-whitman]

Sunderan,, No he wasn''t honest, but he had a sense of humor instead of an American hating ideaology like the one who''s replacing him.

[afmca]

No press secretary is ever honest with the American people or correspondents. What bothered me most is how he was plucked out of FOX News and was comfortable with blindly spouting Republican right wing ideology and falsehoods without any angst. He will now return to Fox News and pretend like he is impartial. His show should be banned during the next election cycle as it will be no more than a non-paid for political endorsement of whatever fool the Republicans nominate.

[dicebucket]

God bless ''im...

The Left could save time typing over and over
accusations that everybody in the Bush administration is a liar (yawn). You''ve isolated your lives from anything but KosSpeak, and you''ve all successfully hypnotized each other with rantings from your hissy fit temper tantrum that has raged unabated ever since 2000.

Hint: Using "everybody knows" as the basis for ANY comment reveals your presence in the left echo chamber. Open a window and breath some fresh air for a change.

Just to settle you down, listen up: HALIBURTON!!!

There -- Feel better now?

Go watch a rerun of 8/31/07 "Hardball" and see Chris get his clock cleaned by Tom Delay...

Hey -- why not copy me on your "comment complaint"

[codytaz]

OH MY GOD! I can''t believe that you people dont remember the horrible DEMOCRATS who love to cheat, lie, and steal. That is all democrats do! Oh lets not forget the *** business in the Oval Office. HAVE YOU FORGOTTEN THAT! At least President Bush isn''t cheating on his wife. You can tell alot from a president if they cheat. Oh and now we have a horrible replacement for Bush, which is another Clinton who sat there and let her husband do anyone that he wanted. Yeah, thats a women that I would vote for. I don''t think so.

[gkc99]

You''ve done a heck of a job, Snowie--Georgie W. "Curious" Bushit.

Time for another Medal of Freedom to be awarded for meritorious service to the Prince (with the accent on the "k")!

Swim, rats, swim!

[condumism]

Posted by codytaz

At least President Bush isn''''t cheating on his wife.

Hey GOPig. What on earth does your braindead comment have to do with the story? YOu ConDumbAsses are truly the Scum of America. Never can you stay on topic. No doubt you are a Southern obese PIG, too!

[codytaz]

Hay, you SOB I am in Northern Indiana! Not what does that make me!

[briannorwood]

Tony Snow was the only person of integrity an honesty in this entire stinking, incompetent administration. I will be sorry to see him go.

[condumism]

Posted by codytaz

Hay, you SOB I am in Northern Indiana! Not what does that make me!

A braindead obese pig from Northern Indiana. Any other questions, NEOCON?

[libsarenuts]

Sunderbland
You whiny liberals are all a flutter when one from our team chooses to move on. I love hearing you losers cry about everything Republican. Keep on entertaining.

[j-whitman]

codytaz,,, Come on now --- Eveyone knows you''re from Sugarland, Texas & you are Tom Delay.. You''re not fooling anyone.

[codytaz]

I guess I am to mature to comment Condumism

[ianlou]

Good Luck Tony.

[j-whitman]

libsarenuts,,,, I''ve got 1 word for you --- "Wide Stance" ........ Oop''s that''s 2 werds

[oakishpines]

'''' ... when i was like six or seven, i was dancing in some field with a bunch of folk (rallyd round sick beds playing get well feed world), and some girl was dancing through the crowd, claiming ''''tax the world is feed the world'''', and promising to rid the world of naked folk and ignorant folk and lazy profane blemished folk, and to replace all the free food and free medicine crowds with free gun and free bomb buttons, and, when she touched my hand, i felt all warm and fuzzy inside, and ive always wondered what happened to her ... i wonder if shes still out there somewhere, conquering folk like me ... i sooo hope so ... ''''

'''' ... she''''d let the dog free and the parrot too, and give up on having to feed the cats, and just hike away forever, but theres no get well feed world folk there, only get sick tax world: and theres nothing they wont do to keep her in her clothes and in her chair ... ''''

'''' ... lots of folk say they hate heteros and homos, but lots of folk say they dont want to get chewed up and spit out and put back together by a dinosaur, but almost everyone has done it, and almost everyone will do it again ... ''''

[nwihoosier]

ConDumism -- what a dope!

[rec3490-2009]

Sunderbland
Name calling is a little immature don''t you agree?

[libsarenuts]

Werds?

Are you and condom breath related?

[j-whitman]

libsarenuts,,, Speaking of uninsured --- Bush stoped TriCare Prime for our veterans & troops.... Wanna talk Katrina ???

[nwihoosier]

Libsarenuts, you are a total pig. What an idiot! Your stupid behaviour has nothing to do with differences in politics. You owe everyone here an apology, but seeing that you''re very stupid, that probably won''t happen. I almost feel sorry for you.

[codytaz]

Come On J-whitmat, everyone know you are Bill Clinton and some girl is sucking right now.

[libsarenuts]

nwihoosier
I see that you loser can dish but you can not take. That is usual.
You must be from the Gary area. Nuff said.

[condumism]

Posted by nwihoosier

I AM a GOPig from Indiana. I have no idea who my daddy is. But, I beleive that my daddy is also my mommy''s first cousin. There are alot of inbreds like me here in Indiana. This is why we vote Repiglicon, because we''ve never had an original thought in our lives. We are soooo confused being born with recyled DNA. HOWS MY DADDY?????

[libsarenuts]

nwihoosier

I would never apologize to a lefty. Every stab is earned. Do not feel sorry for me, I have everything I need in life. You are one of my entertainments. The Cubs are are another of my passions.

[j-whitman]

codytaz,,, No, I''m not Bill..
.. You are right though I''m a democrat & would rather have a woman between my legs... Instead of young boys, male prostitutes & men''s room escapades.

[libsarenuts]

condom breath

I am from Indiana, too. I think I am your daddy. wasn''t that your mom I picked up at the truck stop?

[j-whitman]

libsarenuts,,,, Cubs ???? --- Hey wacko, stay away from our Cub Scouts

[micma-2009]

Another paid lyre jumps ship.

[libsarenuts]

OK Whit...

Your not Bill? How about Barney Frank?

[walt1944-2009]

It has been learned that Tony Snow will leave the White House in mid-September because he needs a job that pays better. Of course, there are many Americans who feel they also need a job that pays MUCH BETTER, but Snow may already have his future assured. It has been learned that he intends on writing a series of books covering his tenure in the court of Emperor Bush II, works that are eagerly being waited on by solid right-wingers, neocons, and history revisionists across the country.

It is also rumored that Snow may have his own talk show, conveniently "sandwiched in between" the Rush Limbaugh and Bill O''Reilly shows on the country''s favorite neocon radio networks and possibly a "commentary" show on Fox News giving those who miss his daily "Snow Jobs" from the White House, the chance to get their daily "fix" of right-wing neocon madness and gibberish!

SIG HEIL, BUSH!!!

[libsarenuts]

God Whit...that was lame. You know that the den mothers have that market cornered.

Cubs...Baseball...First place...

[libsarenuts]

God Whit...that was lame. You know that the den mothers have that market cornered.

Cubs...Baseball...First place...

[j-whitman]

libsarenuts,,, Nope, keep gassing -- Here''s a hint ---- See my finger ?? Recogize it ??

[micma-2009]

The ship is sinking faster than we thought. All the rats are scurrying to jump overboard. I guess there''s no honor amoung thieves and lyers.

[libsarenuts]

Hey Walt

Mr.Paranoid? OMG, there are conservatives everywhere.
You lefties have always denied the truth. It''s in your talking points flyer.

[jetlizhan]

bless his heart - the chemo is taking its toll. i wish tony all the best - he''s a nice guy. i hope he beats the big "C" monster.

[libsarenuts]

half whit

It is about time you took that finger out of your Pelosi...

[incog-nito]

It must be truly lonely at the top for Bush. BTW, anybody heard from Condi and Cheney? They''ve been rather quiet for months now.

[misssuzq]

Why all of the harping, sniping and political $hit?

This is a story about a man with cancer and so many of you see it as something political.

Shame on you!

You have no compassion for a man that is suffering and may not make it?

Ba$tards.

[libsarenuts]

You know who has been quiet lately? Your do-nothing congress. 15% approval rating. And so wimpy that they can''t stand up to big bad Bush. We smack you down at every turn.
How are you feeling? All right, be nice or it''s back to the woodshed.

[incog-nito]

MissSuZQ: we''re all not gonna make it.

[libsarenuts]

I pray for Tony and his family right here in my heart. I am a five year cancer survivor myself.

I survived another type of cancer before, as well. That would be the four excrutiating years Jim (wild rabbit) Carter was in office.

[incog-nito]

libsarenuts: I''m feeling great, thanks. You, on the other hand, seem a little upset.

[misssuzq]

"MissSuZQ: we''''re all not gonna make it.
Posted by incog-nito"

BUT THIS IS NOT THE ARTICLE IN WHICH TO GET POLITICAL!

Most of you are cold hearted and insensitive

[j-whitman]

libsarenuts,,,, You still haven''t figured it out ???? ---- Both parties have an extreme right, right of center, center -- left of center, center, extreme left ------- They each have conservative members.

[williamfold]

I am ignoring the fact that he was a talking head for Faux News and a Spin Doctor for Shrub.


I wish Tony Snow better health and a full recovery.

[libsarenuts]

nito

I am not at all upset. I am a Teamster. My health insurance is paid for by my employer because of my union contract. And a conservative and vote Republican. Because of the middle class tax cuts I only pay about 12% in fed taxes. I''m in the second day of a five day weekend. Tomorrow I am going to the RibFest. Buddy Guy is going to be there. Then the fireworks at dusk. My Cubs are in first place. Life is good!

[usbrit-2009]

SuZQ - I''m with you on the attitudes of our fellow bloggers here. Tony Snow comes across as a decent human being with a totally thankless job that he did with far more aptitude than either his predecessor did or his supercessor will. I too wish him the best for the future.