Bush leads mourners at Snow's funeral

President Bush does not attend many funerals. But he led a large collection of current and former officials of his White House to the funeral this morning of his former press secretary, Tony Snow, at the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception.

Snow died Saturday of complications of colon cancer, at the age of 53.

Sitting near Bush were two central figures of his first term in into his second: former White House Chief of Staff Andrew Card and Karl Rove, the president's political guru.

Snow, who worked as a speech writer during the administration of the first President Bush, was the White House spokesman from May 2006 until September 2007. When he resigned, he said he needed to go beyond his $168,000 salary to support his family--a declaration that appeared to acknowledge the prospect that the cancer for which he had been treated several times would shorten his life.

His life was "far too brief," Bush said, at the ceremony on the campus of Catholic University.

Snow had been a commentator for FOXNews and an editorial writer, and brought to the White House podium a unique understanding of his mission as press secretary and that of the reporters he faced daily.

“He knew the job of a reporter was vigorous. He understood the profession and always treated it with respect,” Bush said.

Snow was a relaxed presence at the lectern; a photograph of him smiling there in the White House press briefing room was displayed at the basilica.

“We will always remember his wry sense of humor and abundant goodness. We will also remember he was lots of fun,” Bush said.

Among those attending were several former White House press secretaries, including Snow's immediate predecessor, Scott McClellan, whose account of the inner workings of the Bush White House has angered his former colleagues.

--James Gerstenzang

Photo: Chip Somodevilla / Getty Images

Comments

[zoe fiallo]

rest in peace tony..........

[mark and hollie woods, temecula, california]

what a brilliant, gentle man. the conservative and/or republican party have truly lost a balanced, thoughtful advocate.

dana perino has some big shoes to fill. we will pray for her as well as tony's family and many friends. GOD BLESS YOU AND GOD BLESS OUR NATION.

[Bill Johnson]

Brilliant? Hardly. Smart, clever and competent? For sure.

Thoughtful? Yes. Balanced? You must be joking. Mr. Snow was an active, passionate agent of the Bush administration...and sometimes he ever went further in his zealousness than the President himself, such as when he said the President believed that using stem cells is "murder." And the Republican party of today is hardly conservative.

True conservatives don't engage in military adventurism (Iraq).

They are fiscal hawks (huge debt and defecit, and biggest increase in govt. spending in US history makes FDR look cheap)

They keep government out of people's bedrooms and churches (not enough room here to list Mr. Bush's transgressions on this one).

They honor and protect the environment (junk science, no energy policy, and a gutless, worthless EPA)

They cherish and protect the US Constitutions (warrantless wiretaps, torture, extraordinary rendition, incarceration withour charge, massive eavesdropping on US soil using phone company resources).

It is sad that Mr. Snow died at such a young age leaving three children. But let's not make this brutally partisan man out to be a saint.

[Guy Merritt]

I'm not a Bush fan (that's an understatement) but Tony Snow was a wonderful, fair, journalist. It's a very sad thing - the country has lost a guy that endeavored to tell it like "it was" regardless of party lines, personal associations ,etc. The guy was a ray of sunshine - he will be missed by many of us "news junkies". Rest in peace, Tony Snow....

[Dave]

Hey Mark and Hollie, why would you pray for anybody? Why do religious people feel the need to talk to themselves? Stop talking about your imaginary friend all the time, there's no such thing as God. Some caveman was scared by lightening a few thousand years ago, and as a result here you are praying for people. It would be really sad if it weren't so ridiculous.

Tony Snow was the chief propogandist, and McClellan's book has exposed this administration for what it is. No need to pray about that, or about anything. Stop wasting time talking to yourself and your imaginary friend and go out and solve some of the world's problems like those of us who work our butts off.

[Snowjob]

It's fitting that Tony Snow is not getting any attention outside to Bush's circle of wonks. Almost everybody on the planet is waiting for the Bush nightmare to end and all the people in his administration to go away and never return.

[PP]

Bill Johnson is soo hateful, he will disrespect a dead person just spew hate speech. Shame on you Billy Boy.

[Steven]

Dave, just a question: why do you feel the need for Bush-bashing and God-bashing?

GOD bless you, Tony.

Rest in Peace.

Let's be frank. In the last few years of his life, he focused far more on what was good for the Republican party, rather than on what was good for America. If only America had come first.

Nickatnight

[JustMe]

Goddam* liberal California kooks..........

Let the man rest in peace!

[scottt]

Why do liberals seem to be angry all the time and hate decient people? My prayer is that they get over thier mental illness so they can become active citizens. One Nation Under God.

[Michael ..... Stem Cell Advocae NJ & an Independent]

Funny Stem Cell Research had it been promoted by Bush rather than subject to his veto's might have helped Tony Snow...... we are eight years behind where we should be in the development of this wonderful science ...mostly due to Bush and his Little American Republican acolytes .... they should remember that they too will get sick.... and cures are not idealogical.

And such hypocrites .... why will Bush and his apparatchiks not honor our dead warriors by attending some of their funerals.....I think probably because they are lousy photo ops.

Hopefully all Americans will remember the hypocrisy of these Republicans when they pull the lever in November and send them packing."

Michael
Montclair NJ
GO GIANTS

[Michael]

Very sad when people can't even let a person rest in peace without attacking him personally. For all the bleeding heart liberals out there, where is your heart?

[Fred]

Hey Dave...

AN old Black preacher said it and you need to hear it. " Don't try boxing with GOD, son...Your arms are waaaaay too short..."

Self proclaimed Intellectuals...tsch tsch tsch... very sad

[Shirley]

For you angry liberal, you are so hateful.
Why are you angry when people don't think the way they are. I am not in any political party, but the democrat tauran me off because you are so angry, hateful and judgemental. President Bush does the best he can under circumstances, and no matter what you guys say he is a good president. We never been attack again since 9/11, unlike during Clinton Presidency.
Tony Snow was a great person. I don't know him personally, but I have never heard he said anything cruel to any body.
My condolences to his wonderful famil. Tony, RIP.

[melinda thomas]

Tony Snow was a gentleman. When he left his radio show to work for the Bush administration I missed his intelligence and class. Conservatives will have a hard time finding as capable a spokesman as he was. God bless his family.

Hey Dave, People pray because they know that their creator isn't a hands- off father who enjoys watching his children languish on their own. They understand that He wants them to lay before him their wants, hopes, sorrows, and praise.

What makes you think that praying people do nothing to help solve the world's problems? Do you know how much Christian organizations do for the world?

Why are you so angry Dave? You don't sound like a very happy person. I'm praying for you do deal with whatever issue is making you spew such venom. Chill out, you'll get an ulcer.

[Carol]

Why do so many liberals spew such hateful rhetoric? Who would ever want to align themselves with such a hateful and spiteful party?

God bless the Snow family and God bless America!