What He’s Trying to Say (NYT MAGAZINE PORTRAIT OF TONY SNOW - VERY POSITIVE!)

The New York Times Magazine ^ | 10/29/06 | BEN WALLACE-WELLS

[paulat]

What He’s Trying to Say

By BEN WALLACE-WELLS

The White House, like any castle, has its own peculiar rituals, and in the five months that Tony Snow has been President George W. Bush’s press secretary, he has begun to learn them.

[snip]

...a man named Lester Kinsolving, a radio host and reporter for a Baltimore station with a big grin and game-show-host wavy hair, will interrupt a back-and-forth on, say, the operational capacities of Al Qaeda to read confounding questions he has written out, word for word, before the press briefing began.

“Tony,” Kinsolving began one morning in September, “The Washington Times noted on Page 1 that the Congressional Black Caucus will remain exclusively black. Does the president support or oppose this racial segregation, which excluded California Congressman Pete Stark — who risked his life for civil rights in Mississippi — because Stark was born white?”

Snow grinned and shook his head and began to point to some other reporter, any other reporter.

“No, wait a minute,” Kinsolving said, “are you just going to evade that question?”

“No,” Snow said, beginning to laugh, enjoying the exchange, his deep voice booming, “I’m going to laugh at it.” He did. So did the rest of the room.

Snow, who is 51, is 6-foot-4, with a genial lectern slouch and a chin that looks as if it were built for contact. But the first thing you notice about him is his facility at managing the fragile balance of a press room, its constant teeter between sincerity, open hostility and absurdity.

[snip]

[mware]

Hey mocking, if you want you can address your posts to him. He still must have an account here because his name still comes up when I post comments to him.

Maybe we should institute a THUD rule for Tony now.

[GOPJ]

For it to be positive, Snow must have told them -- off the record -- that he's pro-choice, pro-gay marriage, pro-amnesty (actually I think he has said as much on this one), and anti-Second Amendment.

Nah, the MSM is trying a new tach - they've figured out they're the people who unite conservatives - so they're going to be a little nice to us. It's weird, but we'll see what comes of it...

[paulat]

He may not rival the "Great Communicator," but he's a "Pretty Darn Good Communicator!"

That's why I think a lot of FReepers misunderestimate Obama. People are tired of negativity. Even the Dems aren't fond of their snarling little bunch of Pelosis, etc.

Barring another national tragedy...success will come more to "morning in America" types.

[paulat]

If anybody knows who used to run the Tony Snow threads, please ping 'em...I think they'd really like this article. Thx!

[SoCalPol]

ping to Tony Snow article

[onyx]

I didn't realize he's so tall and you never told me!

[Lucius Cornelius Sulla]

Ping!

[Jaysun]

Tony Snow, you magnificent bastard!

[paulat]

Tony Snow, you magnificent bastard!

LOLOL!!! I guess when Karl and Tony are in the same room, we have to use the plural!

[saveliberty]

Thank you, I am on it :-)

Cheers,

sl

[saveliberty]

ping a ling

[saveliberty]

:-) I sent out the ping to the Tony Snow Freepers (and to a special FRiend who will remain unnamed--woo hoo!)

Cheers,

sl

[OldFriend]

Tony doesn't have to rude and crude. He has the facts and the truth on his side. One of the most intelligent White House Press Secretary's ever ever ever.

His calm unruffled manner always makes the press look so petulent and juvenile!

[dancusa]

He can play a mean flute too.http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z1PEyzk4ADU

[dinasour]

Good job. Thanks.

[tiredoflaundry]

Hmmmmmmmm, a special unamed FRiend? Keeping secrets? ;o)

[Bahbah]

Good morning, all. I saw Mort and Fred's segment yesterday on Tony as rock star. We are not the only ones wondering what's next for the Snowman. I truly think he will be able to do whatever he wants. I can't imagine it would be something that has him working in the background of the halls of power. He's too personable for that...and, yes, too good looking.

He would make a superb US Senator, I'm sure. I would vote for him for president in a heartbeat but of course that requires a willingness to take on the weight of the world. You either have to be strong and centered, like our current President, or stupid and arrogant, like the two who tried to beat him.


Do I think Tony has what it takes...yes, probably, but only he can know that for sure. It's a given that no one could out-debate him.

[tiredoflaundry]

It's a given that no one could out-debate him.

What fun that debate would be!

[saveliberty]

:-) And we all know that I am a Snowflake.

[saveliberty]

:-) You're welcome, dinasour!