From our house to the White House

From our house to the White House, the People's Choice is now the President's Choice. The host of The Tony Snow Show will now host Helen Thomas, David Gregory and the other strange bedfellows of the White House Press Corps at weekly briefings, the President will announce today. (Aljazeera file photo) For a look into the future, check out David A. Lunde's gorgeous Photoshopped image of Tony in his new digs [via Michelle Malkin].

"That’s another thing that’s tremendous about Tony’s becoming the White House Press Secretary," writes blogfriend Laura Lee Donaho, using a personal anecdote to reveal something important about "Good Natured Tony Snow," who has officially answered the President's call:

This person was talking to Tony [on his radio show] about the weapons of mass destruction that hadn’t turned up in Iraq and explaining to him that while he had been stationed in Europe he had been on the V CORPS Headquarters staff and had seen a great deal of classified information that had convinced him that Saddam was a threat whether or not the WMD were ever found. Tony engaged him in conversation for quite some time, and as I listened I realized that it was my husband Tony was speaking to.

. . . The man has spoken to so many Americans through his many broadcasts on the Fox News Channel and Radio Network. He understands our viewpoints and possesses similar opinions. He will represent us to the Bush administration and to the national media better than any elected official ever could.

Aljazeera gives a fair and balanced report:

The Washington Post said Snow decided to accept the job after top officials assured him that he would not be just a spokesman but an active participant in administration policy debates.

The Post quoted sources as saying that Snow views himself as well-positioned to ease the tensions between the Bush White House and the press corps because he understands both politics and journalism.

Snow has written and spoken frequently about the current president -- not always in a complimentary way. The Center for American Progress [a great place to meet up with all the usual suspects], a liberal think tank, has circulated unflattering observations by Snow about Bush.

We agree with Michelle Malkin that "He's exactly what the White House needs." Besides, Mr. Bush isn't afraid of a little constructive criticism. His choice of our beloved Tony is more proof, if it were needed, of the President's character -- not to mention his street smarts.

Comments

[Gayle Miller]

Tony Snow is that rarity - someone who actually listens when you speak with him. One can only hope that "actually" listening to the White House Press baboons won't irrevocably sour him on his own profession!

[Teresa]

Let's see, he's smart, he thinks fast on his feet, he's personable, he's been dealing with radio call in guests for quite a while.

The real test will be... can he deal with the WH Press Corp? Probably the worst group of people in the world to have to listen to or look at on a daily basis!

Only time will tell on that one. I wish him all the best. If he's as good as I think he's going to be - I may actually watch some of the briefings just to see him take out the opposition. *grin* (that's something I studiously avoid like the plague right now)