Tony Snow dies; ex-Bush press secretary was 53

by dunkelberg | July 12, 2008 at 08:28 am | 707 views | 19 comments

Tony Snow, former Whitehouse Press Secretary

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.

Flag this story

Upload

Make your good story a great story. Click here to add your photos & video to this story.

Crowd Power

Scan the web to add photos and videos to this story or add them from the NowPublic Archive.

Paschen

at 08:32 on July 12th, 2008

good stuff:

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

Hum, Money is not every thing!

dunkelberg

at 09:15 on July 12th, 2008

Thanks for the flag and how very true.

zichi

at 08:43 on July 12th, 2008

good stuff:

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

He had courage and was brave to be so public with his cancer in a country which still treats it like a curse from the devil or the "Big C!" His family and colleagues will miss him....Cheerful character.

dunkelberg

at 09:17 on July 12th, 2008

Thanks for the flag and I think the U.S. has a more informed look at cancer than that. However, yes, his brave and optimistic public battle was inspiring.

zichi

at 10:08 on July 12th, 2008

dunkelberg, not from my personal experience. My sister from jaw cancer and two very close friends from other cancers. When people found out their reactions changed and they just stayed away. Maybe its more to do with fear than anything else.

Karen Hatter

at 11:27 on July 12th, 2008

Zichi, it's been my personal experience, after the death of my sister, my only sibling and the 'baby' in the family, sometimes it's hard for others to know how to react and what to say. When my sister's colon cancer was discovered, it was in the 4th stage. She'd had no indicators of illness and was not at the age when annual screening is suggested.

In her case, it was a valiant, although almost hopeless, effort to keep her alive, including experimental treatments. It's difficult for many to come to grips with watching someone they know and love dying in front of their eyes.

zichi

at 14:43 on July 12th, 2008

Karen sorry for your deep loss

Karen Hatter

at 15:33 on July 12th, 2008

Thank you, Zichi, for your thoughtfulness.

politisite

at 11:12 on July 12th, 2008

good stuff:

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 11:29 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.

politisite

at 11:21 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 11:28 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

at 11:29 on July 12th, 2008

good stuff:

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

dunkelberg

at 11:30 on July 12th, 2008

Thanks.

Scrivener

at 11:55 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 19:47 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.