Wes Vernon
Tony Snow: we just lost our next Reagan
By Wes Vernon
Though he never ran for public office or expressed interest in doing so, the late Robert Anthony "Tony" Snow had all the qualifications of a successful conservative aspirant to high office.
And those qualifications are?
What characteristics would make the ideal candidate for high office? Intellect, personal magnetism, honesty, optimism, firm convictions, an ability to disagree without being disagreeable, a good TV presence, great speaking ability, a good rapport with fellow Americans, a beautiful family — have I left anything out?
Tony had it all. And that is why his death at age 53 is a tragedy not only for his family, but in the long run at least, for the nation as well.
Who knows?
Had cancer not intervened, it was inevitable that Tony Snow would have been approached about running for office (House, Senate, Governor-whatever) and ultimately for President of the United States.
He was a superior communicator, and the next ten years are going to be trying times requiring someone who can deal with fellow Americans as a leader who is to be trusted with their ship of state.
Journalist
Born in Kentucky, raised in Cincinnati, Ohio, Snow was an editorial writer in Norfolk, Virginia, and Greensboro, North Carolina; editorial page editor of The Detroit News and here in D.C. for The Washington Times; columnist for USA Today; nationally syndicated columnist appearing in 200 newspapers; radio talk show host — occasionally filling in for Rush Limbaugh, then later getting his own morning show; TV talkshow panelist; first host on Fox News Sunday.
Speechwriter for President George H. W, Bush, then later back to the White House for a 17-month stint as White House spokesman for the current President George W. Bush, where — with his ability to charm a bird out of a tree — he sparred with the White House wolfpack press corps with aplomb and good humor. He took a pay cut to accept that job.
Along the way, he was a musician who mastered the trombone, flute, piccolo, accordion, saxophone, and guitar.
And he was a good family man. The reason he quit his White House job when he did was so that he could work to provide for his family's future — knowing that his own future was uncertain.
Our own future
You couldn't make up a more ideal resume for talent, honesty, and grasp of the issues. Given that we face horrendous problems in the future — threats of terrorist attacks, bankruptcy of Social Security and Medicare, and other threats to our very economy, America could do a whole lot worse if the person elected in 2008 falls short. Americans would need someone who not only can assure them — the way Reagan and FDR did — but who knows what he is doing, has the right ideas as Reagan did, and can provide what would be desperately needed leadership.
Who knows what the future brings? Barack Obama has the communication skills, but lacks sound ideas. John McCain has better ideas, but lacks oratorical skills (though I have seen him work a crowd very well in an off-the-record setting).
Who knows how the next president will do? We can only pray and let our consciences be our guide in November.
If things go sour on us, hopefully there would be someone like Tony Snow down the road. He would be the right man at the right time.
God bless Tony Snow. God bless his family. And God bless America!
© Wes Vernon
Though he never ran for public office or expressed interest in doing so, the late Robert Anthony "Tony" Snow had all the qualifications of a successful conservative aspirant to high office.
And those qualifications are?
What characteristics would make the ideal candidate for high office? Intellect, personal magnetism, honesty, optimism, firm convictions, an ability to disagree without being disagreeable, a good TV presence, great speaking ability, a good rapport with fellow Americans, a beautiful family — have I left anything out?
Tony had it all. And that is why his death at age 53 is a tragedy not only for his family, but in the long run at least, for the nation as well.
Who knows?Had cancer not intervened, it was inevitable that Tony Snow would have been approached about running for office (House, Senate, Governor-whatever) and ultimately for President of the United States.
He was a superior communicator, and the next ten years are going to be trying times requiring someone who can deal with fellow Americans as a leader who is to be trusted with their ship of state.
Journalist
Born in Kentucky, raised in Cincinnati, Ohio, Snow was an editorial writer in Norfolk, Virginia, and Greensboro, North Carolina; editorial page editor of The Detroit News and here in D.C. for The Washington Times; columnist for USA Today; nationally syndicated columnist appearing in 200 newspapers; radio talk show host — occasionally filling in for Rush Limbaugh, then later getting his own morning show; TV talkshow panelist; first host on Fox News Sunday.
Speechwriter for President George H. W, Bush, then later back to the White House for a 17-month stint as White House spokesman for the current President George W. Bush, where — with his ability to charm a bird out of a tree — he sparred with the White House wolfpack press corps with aplomb and good humor. He took a pay cut to accept that job.
Along the way, he was a musician who mastered the trombone, flute, piccolo, accordion, saxophone, and guitar.
And he was a good family man. The reason he quit his White House job when he did was so that he could work to provide for his family's future — knowing that his own future was uncertain.
Our own future
You couldn't make up a more ideal resume for talent, honesty, and grasp of the issues. Given that we face horrendous problems in the future — threats of terrorist attacks, bankruptcy of Social Security and Medicare, and other threats to our very economy, America could do a whole lot worse if the person elected in 2008 falls short. Americans would need someone who not only can assure them — the way Reagan and FDR did — but who knows what he is doing, has the right ideas as Reagan did, and can provide what would be desperately needed leadership.Who knows what the future brings? Barack Obama has the communication skills, but lacks sound ideas. John McCain has better ideas, but lacks oratorical skills (though I have seen him work a crowd very well in an off-the-record setting).
Who knows how the next president will do? We can only pray and let our consciences be our guide in November.
If things go sour on us, hopefully there would be someone like Tony Snow down the road. He would be the right man at the right time.
God bless Tony Snow. God bless his family. And God bless America!
© Wes Vernon
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