"He could disagree but do it agreeably"

"From our house to the White House, the People's Choice is now the President's Choice," we captioned this image of the late Tony Snow back in April 26, 2006, rejoicing that "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)"

"The main thing about Tony Snow is that he had character," former boss Roger Ailes is telling Fox & Friends this morning as we mourn the loss of that incandescent light Ailes remembers as "a simple guy, with all of his intellect … but he was the epitomy of somebody who would say it's God, country and family." And from George H.W. Bush, another former employer:

He was a kind man. He was a generous man who wanted to help others. He was just a good person. He could disagree but do it agreeably, and so I think we can all learn from this good man.

Barbara Bush adds:

He was loyal to the core, and to a mother, that means the world. He didn't have a mean bone in his body.

In fond memory of this Renaissance man, full of humor and grace, we republish our post of April 26, 2006:

"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.

Update: "That there are already voices from the leftist sewer vilifying the man tells you everything you need to know about the left," writes Gaghdad Bob:

Naturally they've had to shut off the comments at Huffington Post, so that we can't see just how depraved they are. They are not just evil, but gutless. Everyone knew Tim Russert was a liberal, but I didn't see a single conservative say an unkind word about him.

I don't know why there aren't more people who are able to convey the joy, excitement, creativity, expansiveness, optimism, hope, compassion, decency, humor, spirituality, and love that animate conservatism. Maybe they just don't get it the way Snow did, and connect all the dots, both horizontal and vertical.

Be sure to read the whole thing for a take that is both depressing and uplifting at the same time.

Update: "A class act all the way," avers Dr. Sanity.

Comments

[goomp]

Tony Snow, a person of character. Would that our politicians were such.

[Teresa]

May he rest in peace. He will be greatly missed. *sigh*

[hnav]

RIP

[Gayle Miller]

God bless his grieving family who are both mourning his loss and celebrating their good fortune in having him for as long as they did! I would guess that having Tony Snow for a husband and father was a very good thing!