Snow resigns

Posted: Friday, August 31, 2007 12:03 PM by Domenico Montanaro
Filed Under: White House

From NBC’s Kelly O’Donnell
NBC News has learned that White House Press Secretary Tony Snow will step down Sept. 14 as the president's chief spokesman and the public face of the White House. Dana Perino is expected to replace him.

He is expected to make his announcement during today's on-camera White House briefing at 12:45pm. President Bush is expected to make a statement at the briefing. Snow formally informed the president yesterday.

Snow says his departure is based on family finances. "If I had the dough I'd stay 'til the bitter end,” Snow told NBC News. As an assistant to the President, Snow earns the highest-level salary among White House officials at $168,000 a year.

The 52-year-old Snow says his decision is not related to a recurrence of cancer. In March, the White House announced that Snow's colon cancer has returned. In his first battle, Snow had his colon removed in 2005. This most recent recurrence showed cancer had spread in the abdomen, the peritoneal cavity. After surgery in March, Snow completed four months of chemotherapy recently and tells NBC News the CAT scans and MRIs "look great." Snow says he will continue with "maintenance chemo" for the approximately five tumors he still has. Snow says his doctors have told him those tumors are "stable" and "fractionally smaller."

He says he has no immediate plans but will seek employment where he can earn more money. Snow says he intends to become visible in cancer activism.

The president named Snow as his third Press Secretary on April 26, 2006, replacing Scott McClellan. Snow conducted his first on-camera briefing on May 8, 2006.

Snow previously worked as host of "The Tony Snow Show" on FOX News Radio, and "Weekend Live with Tony Snow" on the FOX News Channel. He's written nationally syndicated columns for both The Detroit News and USA Today. Snow is married to wife Jill, and they have three children.

EMAIL THIS

Comments

Who cares. They are all bunch of liers.

John Rolands, Houston, TX (Sent Friday, August 31, 2007 12:14 PM)

Snow's constant "It's the Money" drumbeat at the end is classless. Pathetic and classless (even if true). His salary is much more than many, many Americans make.

Like his entire tenure at the White House, his exit is insulting our intelligence and classless.

Betty, Baltimore, MD (Sent Friday, August 31, 2007 12:15 PM)

About time .He is is as big a traightor as GW. I mean 1st he bad mouths him and negatively reports on Gw every day ,so Gw hires him .Now it all smoke up the wazzou and sunshine .

D (Sent Friday, August 31, 2007 12:17 PM)

If Snow can't afford his medical bills and family expenses on $168K a year, he should start working with Michael Moore to make health care affordable again.

marcus (Sent Friday, August 31, 2007 12:25 PM)

I think maybe it was best for Snow. I saw an interview a little while back with him and you could tell the cancer was taking its toll. I am a Democrat and I wish him God Speed to better health.

Ron, St. Louis.Mo. (Sent Friday, August 31, 2007 12:26 PM)

Tony Snow, I send to you my best wishes, not as a Democrat, but as an American. Be well.

Pat, Boston, MA (Sent Friday, August 31, 2007 12:27 PM)

This is A WOW!!!! Can't live off a salary of $168 thousand dolars. Maybe he should try living off my salary for awhile. Reality check dude

Terry, Disabled Vet, Des Moines, IA (Sent Friday, August 31, 2007 12:35 PM)

"Snow says his departure is based on family finances."
I believe I could squeeze buy on 168K a year, maybe he bought a big house with an adjustable rate mortgage

MK,MO (Sent Friday, August 31, 2007 12:36 PM)

This is a perfect example of how politicians and white house staff have no idea how normal Americans live. $168,000 a year and the best health insurance money can buy, and can't live on it. If I could not live on what I am making, I would not quit my job and have no income. I feel sorry for him having cancer, I really do. I do not feel sorry for him, because he doesn't make enouph money. Poor baby!

Blue state baby (Sent Friday, August 31, 2007 12:37 PM)

WHAT! Where I come from 168,000 a year is more then enough money. What a lame excuse!

Harriet, provo utah (Sent Friday, August 31, 2007 12:40 PM)

Tony Snow is the gutsiest guy this or any Administration ever had.

Lew Warden, Santa Maria, CA (Sent Friday, August 31, 2007 12:43 PM)

168K isn't enough....
pathetic.

Tuck,Btown,Kansas (Sent Friday, August 31, 2007 12:44 PM)

Ok - someone explain to me what Mr. Snow means when he says that money is the reason he is resigning.

I know he can make far more in the commercial world, but is he, like, in debt or something? Does serving in the government now mean that you are volunteering rather than accepting a paid position? I mean, I know about his health issues but he has insurance coverage now and there is only a year or so left in the term.

I also like the way he said "bitter end". The end of this administration will be very sweet to me! (smile)

http://www.cnn.com/2007/POLITICS/08/31/white.house.snow/index.html

Independent, Texas (Sent Friday, August 31, 2007 12:49 PM)

What has/had FOX been paying him?

Colin the Younger, Hartford CT (Sent Friday, August 31, 2007 12:51 PM)

YOU WILL BE IN OUR PRAYERS EVERY DAY. I SO RESP[ECT YOUR ETHICS AND THE ADMINSTRATION WILL LOSE THE BEST MAN IT HAS WHEN YOU ARE GONE. GOD BLESS YOU AND YOURS

EULA TAULBEE 5315 W 103 PL OVERLAND PARK, KS. 66207 (Sent Friday, August 31, 2007 12:53 PM)

"If had the dough" to keep a $168,000 job?! What a coddled and detached aristocrat. I guess a Bush administration press secretary and former Fox News shill can't leave office without spitting in the face of the majority of Americans who make less than $168,000 a year, and would be grateful for such a salary.

Shadow, Hamden, CT (Sent Friday, August 31, 2007 12:54 PM)

If the money wasn't enough, why'd he sign on in the 1st place? Can the guy count?

Chuck Frier, St. Louis, MO (Sent Friday, August 31, 2007 12:59 PM)

Tony, could the end be any more bitter than it already is? Millions of us wish the end were now - today! - for this neanderthal Administration. No amount of pressroom spin can coverup or alleviate the disastrous policies Bush and his crowd have pushed and supported over the past six and a half years. Standing at that podium and saying it's true doesn't mean it is. Just ask Fredo.

R.Merrell (Sent Friday, August 31, 2007 1:00 PM)

It's best Tony leave the Bush White House and stop his protective lying before he meets his Maker.

Gary, arvada, colorado (Sent Friday, August 31, 2007 1:03 PM)

Oh sure, I buy that he's too poor to stay on. If only I was so poor I was earning a measly $168,000 a year...the White House resignations are the equivalent of rats fleeing a sinking ship...

Ashley, Greeley, CO (Sent Friday, August 31, 2007 1:10 PM)

Good riddance. In fact the propaganda mouthpiece of the Bush Administration seems to always fool the media. The reporters ask great questions, the White House spins their lies and mainstream media lets it ride like it's the truth. Any person who thinks Bush is an honest person doesn't have a clue into his criminal activities. Google Harken if you need somewhere to start.

Tom Clark , Peoria, Illinois (Sent Friday, August 31, 2007 1:14 PM)

"Snow earns the highest-level salary among White House officials at $168,000 a year" Makes you wonder why so many people choose to be amature liars.

huh (Sent Friday, August 31, 2007 1:14 PM)

Boo-frigging-hoo! Skeletor can't live on 168,000/year! No wonder these Republicans run up such huge deficits, they don't know how to make ends meet unless their cashfloww is gi-normous!
Anyway, I'll miss that reassuring SS death's-head grin of his...

Class Warrior, D.C. (Sent Friday, August 31, 2007 1:16 PM)

Best of luck, Tony!

What happened to the well known "fact" of "rich, greedy, heartless conservatives?"? The truth is often so very annoying! The fact of personal net wealth in congress is that the Dems can buy and sell the Pubs ten times over. Of the top ten net worth individuals in both houses, virtually all are Dems. Do you possibly think some people (like Mr. Snow) really do sacrifice and give freely of themselves for love of our great country? Could there be something to "conservative values" beyond the fiction you read on DailyKOS and pretty much any media outlet? Conservatives and liberals wish for the same thing - for all citizens to enjoy health and prosperity. The left wishes to reach that goal by ever growing numbers of helpless victims owing their lives to the government and, thus, those demagogues who lust for, and wield, ultimate power. Conservatives instead wish to do everything possible to afford everyone life, liberty and the PURSUIT of happiness.

See, all conservatives are NOT "filthy rich at the expense of the masses"! Tony will never ask for a thing. He will work for it. He already has all he needs to be successful and happy. He has the desire to succeed and the willingness to achieve it in a country that still allows individuals to achieve personal success. You will never find him in the ever growing line of "victims" waiting for a handout from the liberal left. How much longer will such individual freedoms continue to exist? Tony and millions like him may begin to see the many doors to success closing after the next election. I hope not but the future does not look good for people with his (and my) beliefs.

Gary, Shawnee, KS (Sent Friday, August 31, 2007 1:22 PM)

Gary from Shawnee KS

drink koolaid much?

jackster, massachusetts (Sent Friday, August 31, 2007 1:34 PM)

To be fair - it's extremely expensive to live in DC, plus do we know if his wife works? If not, three kids, a wife, a mortgage, etc. in an area with such a high standard of living and $168k a year could disappear pretty fast. We also don't know if he has any consumer debt. I agree, it seems a lot of money and most Americans barely make a third of that, but everyone wants to make more money and why should he be any different? Plus the guy's got cancer and he works for an idiot, so leave him alone. I'd leave too!

R. Stock (Sent Friday, August 31, 2007 1:34 PM)

Where exactly did all of you view Mr. Snow's financial statements 'cause I seem to have missed that. He may well have obligations, debts, etc. that none of you are aware of and just because $168,000 is "more than enough" for a lot of the cry-baby Sallies posting here, doesn't mean it's enough for him. Get over it.

Dale, Denver (Sent Friday, August 31, 2007 1:49 PM)

Tony Snow wasn't lying all the time - in fact, he was the most honest person at the White House!

GW for Mensa (Sent Friday, August 31, 2007 1:52 PM)

Have any of you seen Tony Snow lately. If you have, it seems pretty likely that he is dying. Maybe he thought "personal finances" would be less of a distraction that coming out and saying, "hey, I am quitting because I am going to be dead in a couple of months."

But hey, that's just me.

Peyton, Richmond VA (Sent Friday, August 31, 2007 1:56 PM)

Tony, you are a class act! Good luck in your future endevours. God Bless you and your family.

Margaret Osborne Melbourne FL (Sent Friday, August 31, 2007 1:57 PM)

Oh, no, Snow. Don't go. We'll pay you mo. Whoa! You were so good at telling everybody that Bush was right and everyone else was full of crap. What in bleepin blue blazes do you expect us to do now? First our great leader loses his brain and now he loses his mouth. What's he gonna lose next? No, not that! Not his wee-wee! Everybody just pray and keep watching FOX Nooze. Maybe everything will work out in the long run. Holy moley! Lord, are you up there? Chalk another one up for Osama! Help us, Ann Coulter!

JIrby, Colorado (Sent Friday, August 31, 2007 1:59 PM)

It is about money. Mr. Snow is a smart businessman and probably realized that his professional credibility/bankability was being compromised by his tenure as the President's PR puppet. He already may have trouble getting back into the public light of the lucrative pseudo-news sector; so Fox may use him for something else. There is enough footage of him blowing smoke and dancing around issues on the podium to start a comedy series, call it 'Snow Job'.

Louise Jones, New York, NY (Sent Friday, August 31, 2007 2:01 PM)

Oh brother.

I'm sure the reason Mr. Snow is citing money for why he is leaving is because he doesn't want people to pity him, and he doesn't want future employers to worry that he might quit due to his health. He doesn't care what you and I think, so why bother coming up with an opinion?

Unfortunately, former members of the Bush administration will go on to find lucrative positions in business, as conservatives do not hold their own accountable for incompetence and unethical behavior. Expect a series of business scandals and bankruptices in future years as the former Bushites continue the shoddy practices they honed while in government.

Amy B Portland, ME (Sent Friday, August 31, 2007 2:04 PM)

Gary from Shawnee... Republicans would be wealthier, but they spend too much time and money chasing underage boys or strangers in public bathrooms for sex. Or their personal fortune is divided amongst 3 wives, one of them a cousin. Best of luck to Tony Snow, who did a great job spinning the facts and advancing the President's asinine agenda.

Vincent, Salt Lake City, UT (Sent Friday, August 31, 2007 2:09 PM)

I do feel for his wife/kids having to see him go through chemo. I do not wish that on anyone;however; Snow was the spin meister for this despicable/lieing administration that makes the Nixon administration tame in comparison. Instead of resigning for obvious hlth reasons, this man had the audacity that making 168,000 thousand dollars was not enough compared to 42 million Americans who are uninsured and/or those who are insured are denied because of corporate creed and go bankrupt to pay it. The Republicans use partisan politics attacking any suggestions of universal hlthcare as socialism while they are laughing all the way to the bank. I deal with it everyday working in the hlthcare field. WAKE -UP PEOPLE.

juan,ft lauderdale,fl (Sent Friday, August 31, 2007 2:11 PM)

Tough sh*t Tony, if you can't live on $168K per year, even in DC, than you need to contact a money manager. We are finally going to be rid of your constant lies, your smirky sneer, and dumb-assed comments. Just too bad that we couldn't pick your succesor as the little bit*h they gave it to is no better than you were.

Don in LA (Sent Friday, August 31, 2007 2:14 PM)

You Liberals are the Special Olympics of posters without the sweet personalities.

Get some rest Tony, and I wish you and your family all the best.

Dave, Tn (Sent Friday, August 31, 2007 2:36 PM)

Amy, that is a scary thought. There are many of them. This may be a good reason to keep them in office. At least we keep an eye on them.

Flat-earther, Georgia (Sent Friday, August 31, 2007 2:50 PM)

I wish Tony Snow the best in the future. However, I will not forgive him for covering up for Bush's lies. I hope he lives a long and happy life, free of the burden of having to lie for Bush.

Treena (Sent Friday, August 31, 2007 2:51 PM)

I wish Tony Snow the best in the future. However, I will not forgive him for covering up for Bush's lies. I hope he lives a long and happy life, free of the burden of having to lie for Bush.

Treena, Livingston, NJ (Sent Friday, August 31, 2007 2:53 PM)

WOW Gary, do you actually beleive what you wrote. Ignorance is a crime if the person willfully remains ignorant of the crimes of hate you so well dispense. Any facts to go along with the smear campaign. Any truth behind your shameless smearing. Again you never wanted to debate but just chuck flamers as is all republicans can do. Remeber Gary republicans stand up for 3 things: Big Corporations, Big Brother, and hatred to fellow americans that disagree with them. That is something to be proud of Gary. Keep spreading the hate and do not forget to smear anyone who you disagree with. You are such a perfect american. Gary, where can I learn to hate and smear my fellow americans. You are so good at it.

bobf (Sent Friday, August 31, 2007 2:55 PM)

Gary from Shawnee KS

Boy, are you a true blue Repug, or what? Jackster is right, what have you been drinking? Tony Snow is a "yes man," plain and simple. He will say anything if the money is right. Will he make more money, absolutely. Does he NEED the money. If he does, then he hasn't taken enough money "under the table," which I doubt. Just ask Scooter, or Fredo, or Bumsfeld.

Do you "honestly" believe what you write, or does the bullshit flow out of your mouth out of habit?

I am willing to bet it is the latter and that you are rich, and that you believe in the greedy thought that, "who ever dies with the most toys wins!"

God speed, may whatever you believe in be true. If i were you though, i would be sure to ask for a fire retardant suit in your final resting place.

trinity, dallas, tx (Sent Friday, August 31, 2007 3:00 PM)

I think re resigned because he couldn't stand to see the lying face in the mirror every morning when he shaved, it had to make him sick to his stomach. And talk about being out of touch with the rest of america by saying he needs more money than $168K a year, maybe you just bought too many cadilacs dude.

beaverdambob (Sent Friday, August 31, 2007 3:03 PM)

See he was in it for the money"If I had enough dough I would stay to the end another noble american hero,like rove and all the rest back to Tommy Franks all in it for the money PATRIOTISM BE DAMMED

Kenn"he reps the prez"O (Sent Friday, August 31, 2007 3:12 PM)

Amy: These practices are occuring apace from waiting for a Bush retirement. It is not Republicans but Democrats who are now packing into K St.and every damned one of them either served in the Clinton or the Carter administrations. You will bear in mind that former Clintonistas served on the boards of ENRON,and WORLDCOM,among other now defunct companies. By some strange coincidence,former DNC Chairman Terry McAullffe dumped his GLOBAL CROSSING stocks worth millions only days before the company crashed. George Soros singlehandedly ruined European currency for years after his leveraging of billions in lira,francs and pounds where he grabbed his billions and took off to America leaving millions of Europeans holding the bag. These join old friends on K St. including former Clinton press secretary Joe Lockhardt [so why everybody is griping about Snow and not Lockhardt is beyond me],former Clinton advisor Mike McCurry,[ who wants to tax your Internet],former Clinton advisor Thomas ''Mac'' McClarty,former Clinton advisor Bob Hebert,and enough other former Goreians,Clintonistas and Carterians to fill the Astrodome. What sort of government will we come to expect,leaving the Chinese out of it for only the moment,if these guys,who are all Pals of Hillary[and other Dems besides],use their influence to leverage pet deals with elected officials which will most assuredly on any bet,result in the fraud and corruption that you fear?

www.opensecrets.org The Center For Responsive Politics

www.commoncause.org Common Cause

Lee Holmes (Sent Friday, August 31, 2007 3:26 PM)

Dale, protect the rich and republican. It is obvious you have no concept of what the average american makes or lives. But hey, name one republican that cares more for america then himself. I can not think of one.

bobf (Sent Friday, August 31, 2007 3:30 PM)

R. Stock- yes, I agree that 165 large would not go far in DC. Others- yes, the guy's not been a favorite of ours for a long time. He likely is not long for our world, but cut him some slack. Would YOU want to trade palces with him, 165K and all, right now (not to mention, you would have to reflect on what you had contributed to the general welfare of your fellow man in your lifetime)? Yep- I'm a 'Lib' most of the time, but I think we should let this one go on by. There are more deserving 'targets' for us in this admin.

Buzz- a.k.a 'old softie' Buzzy. (Sent Friday, August 31, 2007 3:38 PM)

Tuck writes: 168K isn't enough.... pathetic.

Haven't you heard? All Republicans make at least $168,000 a year. You pathetic Democrats need to switch parties.

Dag Hammarskjold, Hibbing, MN (Sent Friday, August 31, 2007 3:43 PM)

"Where exactly did all of you view Mr. Snow's financial statements 'cause I seem to have missed that." You miss a lot, Dale. I think the point the "Sallies" are trying to make is that the vast majority of us have to get along on a lot less, and it takes a moron from BushCo to whine about $168,000 a year. And for what? Just doing what the right wing does naturally - lie. (Are those WMD at your house?)

Chip (Sent Friday, August 31, 2007 3:50 PM)

"Haven't you heard? All Republicans make at least $168,000 a year. You pathetic Democrats need to switch parties. " I heard the price of dead babies is going up, so soon you'll all be making more, you wretch.

! (Sent Friday, August 31, 2007 4:02 PM)

Next >>

SEND A COMMENT

PLEASE READ: All comments must be approved before appearing in the thread; time and space constraints prevent all comments from appearing. We will only approve comments that are directly related to the blog, use appropriate language and are not attacking the comments of others.

Message (please, no HTML tags. Web addresses will be hyperlinked):

Your name, city and state (John Doe, Seattle, Wash.):

Your e-mail address (jdoe@msnbc.com):

Your website (it's okay if you don't have one):

Remember me? (We'll keep it private) Remember me?

TRACKBACKS

Trackbacks are links to weblogs that reference this post. Like comments, trackbacks do not appear until approved by us. The trackback URL for this post is: http://firstread.msnbc.msn.com/trackback.aspx?PostID=341618