President Bush today with Dana Perino, left, who will replace Tony Snow, right, as White House press secretary on Sept. 14. Bush told reporters: "She can handle you all.'' AP photo by Ron Edmonds.
by Mark Silva
Tony Snow, the White House press secretary, will leave next month to devote time to writing, speaking and playing a more active public role in combating cancer, a disease which he has confronted for three roller-coaster years.
Dana Perino, the principal deputy press secretary, will take Snow’s place on Sept. 14, marking the first time that President Bush has assigned a woman as voice of the White House.
Snow, battling a recurrence of colon cancer which he had hoped was in remission when he became the president’s chief spokesman in April 2006, maintains that it is not the disease, but rather a financial burden which his work has placed on his family, that will force him to leave.
While paid $168,000 a year as press secretary, it is less than Snow, a father of three who has battled cancer since 2005, made as a host of Fox News TV and Radio.
“Cancer has nothing to do with this,’’ Snow said Friday of his decision to leave. “I ran out of money,’’ he said. “I made more money when I was in my previous career... We took out a loan when I came to the White House, and that loan is now gone.’’
Yet, while planning some paid public speaking engagements and occasional TV and radio work, Snow says he hopes to devote his time to a book on “how you deal with sickness.’’ He has no working title yet, he says, but a priest has suggested one of the words: “Hope.’’
“I know I’m going to spend a lot of time on cancer activism,’’ Snow said. “I’d like to find a way to help those who for whatever reasons don’t get diagnostic’’ help when they should.
Bush, congratulating Snow for taking on “a big job with courage,’’ said by his side in the press room Friday that, “One, he'll battle cancer and win. And secondly, he'll be a solid contributor to society.'' Bush finished with an unusually personal nod to Snow: “I love you.’’
Perino, who has stood in for Snow often since his cancer returned in March, is “a smart, capable person,’’ said Bush, looking at reporters before him. “She can handle you all.’’
Snow is the latest in a long line of senior Bush advisers to leave more than a year before the end of the president’s second term. Karl Rove, chief political adviser, left this week.
Josh Bolten, the president’s chief of staff – who in turn replaced the longtime and former chief of staff Andrew Card in the second term – has suggested to staffers that anyone planning to leave before the end of the term should speak up now, according to Rove.
Snow, who announced in March that doctors had discovered that his colon cancer had spread to his liver, recently finished months of chemotherapy and will face another treatment and then periodic CAT scans. The most recent scan, he says, was encouraging.
“The tumors we have been tracking have not grown. There are no new tumors,’’ said Snow, who has lost much of his hair. “Right now, I’m feeling great. The hair will come back.''
Snow, who had sometimes criticized the administration as a columnist for Fox, maintains that there is “very little distance’’ between he and Bush on any substantive issues.
He also says he has discovered a side of the president which the public may not appreciate. Too often, Snow suggests, Bush is portrayed in the media as “a cartoon character.’’
“My admiration for him has grown by leaps and bounds,’’ Snow said. “You find quite often that the public caricature of the man... does a gross injustice.’’
Asked about his own long-range plans, Snow, facing the seasoned correspondent Helen Thomas seated in front row and center of the press room, said: “When I’m your age, I want to be sitting in the front row making life a living hell for a presidential press secretary.’’
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Comments
Writer of this article should learn to NOT say "between he and Bush." Between is a preposition.
It should read, "between HIM and bush."
Posted by: elizabeth alexander | August 31, 2007 3:07 PM
If Tony Snow can't make it on $168,000 a year, how does he think families trying to survive on $40,000 or $50,000 a year (or often less) can do it? His comment indicates an insensitivity to the realites that average Americans face. Might as well have said "let them eat cake!"
Posted by: Beth | August 31, 2007 3:27 PM
Maybe Snow run out of money because of his medical bills. I hope that he advocates for universal healthcare. If he needs money at $ 168,000 a year what do other average citizens can expect if faced with a catastrophic illness! And he still admires this president?
Posted by: Elisa P. | August 31, 2007 3:54 PM
Elizabeth Alexander should learn NOT to split an infinitive.
Posted by: Luke | August 31, 2007 4:53 PM
Poor baby. He only makes $168,000 a year? We make less about $40,000 and have two mortgages. Where does this idiot live? How many cars does he have? I have no sympathy for him. .
Posted by: LG | August 31, 2007 5:05 PM
And how many of us could afford to leave our job and still afford the health coverage we would need to battle cancer? No one would give us coverage.
Posted by: DD | August 31, 2007 5:25 PM
Of course it's the money. All of Washington is about the money they personally have (or will make as lobbyists), and nothing or no one else is important.
Posted by: LAO | August 31, 2007 5:31 PM
Tony Snow is a class act. I've enjoyed listening to him for years. Tony, all the best to you and your family and thanks for your wit and wisdom.
Posted by: Mady | August 31, 2007 5:48 PM
my god leave tony snow alone---he has colon cancer, you insensitive jerks--the most deady form! Why dont you get the education he did, the connections he has, and perhaps you could make a million dollars on tv. That's the lifestyle he is used to. How did you get 2 mortgages on only 40k a year? I'll be seeing YOUR house in my foreclosure list!
And I'm a democrat, too!
Posted by: aunt suzy | August 31, 2007 6:24 PM
I only wish I made that much money! A loan to live off of? Is it that costly to live there in DC? Alas, I'm afraid it's not really the money issue. The cancer is most likely the reason. I pray for him and his family. Gd bless them in this battle.
Posted by: Paul F | August 31, 2007 7:58 PM
if you don't know why tony snow can't live on 168k you are a moron.
Posted by: tim | August 31, 2007 10:19 PM
"If Tony Snow can't make it on $168,000 a year, how does he think families trying to survive on $40,000 or $50,000 a year (or often less) can do it?"
Those people should man up and get a better job. Jeez do you people want to be spoon fed as well.
Posted by: Mark | August 31, 2007 10:24 PM
Washington is indeed expensive. I'm sure Mr. Snow is going to try and make as much as he can to put away for his family. He keeps looking older and older in the past few months. My prayers and thoughts go out to Mr. Snow and his family. He is a great American and the fact that some elements of the Loony Left, the worst mankind has to offer, can do nothing but speak ill of him, only shows he is a CLASS ACT all the way.
Posted by: John D | August 31, 2007 10:41 PM
What amazes me here is not the story, but the amazing, spiteful, hate filled comments. The guy is probably dying and pulled this money story out of his butt to preserve some privacy and dignity. I mourn the death of civility in this country and curse the Internet that perpetuates 'brick through the window' manners.
Posted by: Tom | August 31, 2007 11:12 PM
I might not agree with Mr. Snow's politics, but having undergone successful treatment for colon cancer in the last few weeks I am deeply shaken by the insensitive comments, particularly those from LG with respect to Mr. Snow. Go to the Lurie Cancer Center at Northwestern Memorial Hospital and walk around the 21st floor waiting room and see the dignity with which people there carry themselves. They leave their politics at the door; the bond we share up there is far deeper than red and blue state nonsense. Shame on you, LG.
Posted by: Bob O'Neil | September 1, 2007 7:53 AM
Good luck, Tony.
Posted by: C.Morris | September 1, 2007 11:03 AM
One might well mourn the death of civility.
Snow has said so many things that have been dubious that when he says it isn't the cancer, why should anyone be surprised that many people doubt that too.
Posted by: Rick | September 1, 2007 12:49 PM
My heart goes out to Tony and his poor family who are unable to get by on $162,000 per year. He's right, civil service just doesn't pay the way it used to.
Posted by: Distrust and Verify | September 2, 2007 12:18 PM
aunt suzy I like your style. As for the ugly comments on this page. You are all pathetic and angry because your not happy with your own lives.
Posted by: ae | February 9, 2008 10:04 AM