Graciousness

That’s the first word I thought of when thinking of Tony Snow, just after learning he has passed away. There was never a time when he spoke or appeared publicly that he wasn’t smiling or grinning or laughing, delivering news with wit and insight, always incisive but with a grace most big time media lack. After hearing him on radio and tv at a key point in the news cycle a couple of years ago, I wanted to get him on my radio show as a guest, to discuss politics and media. Before we could get him, he was named White House Press Secretary, and there went the opportunity for the time being.

When he took that post, I thought he’d do it better than many had in a long time, because of his own press experience and his easy way of facilitating the exchange of giving and getting information. Televised press conferences became more entertaining while he was in the job.

Here’s the first account I looked at, from those who knew him best.

During a tenure marked by friendly jousting with journalists, Snow often danced around the press corps, occasionally correcting their grammar and speech even as he responded to their questions.

“Tony did his job with more flair than almost any press secretary before him,” said William McGurn, Bush’s former chief speechwriter. “He loved the give-and-take. But that was possible only because Tony was a man of substance who had real beliefs and principles that he was more than able to defend.”

Those qualities are getting harder to find in the media.

During daily briefings he challenged reporters, scolded them and questioned their motives as if he were starring in a TV show broadcast live from the West Wing.

“The White House has lost a great friend and a great colleague,” said Perino in a statement released to the media. “We all loved watching him at the podium, but most of all we learned how to love our families and treat each other.”

When you can say that of someone you knew professionally, they have truly lived their life well.

Fox featured tributes this morning from a number of Snow’s colleagues in the early hours after the news first broke, and they showed a number of photos and video of Snow asking or answering questions on various news shows. In one clip, after his cancer had advanced and he was stepping down from his White House job, the studio anchor asked him empathetically about the battle he was in and how he was managing it. His answer was as positive as always.

Why bemoan your fate? Get in there and enjoy every moment you’re alive.

Of all the messages he delivered through the years, that’s the takeaway. He was a profound witness to the love and meaning of life.

We have lost another great and morally informed newsman. May he rest in peace.