KMJ's Inga Barks remembers Tony Snow
Inga Barks, a talk-show host for KMJ radio, was friends with Tony Snow, the former White House press secretary who died Saturday after a long battle with colon cancer. Inga sent me her thoughts about Snow, and I'm passing them on to you in this posting:
By Inga BarksWe first met Tony Snow in the 90s as a fill-in host for the Rush Limbaugh radio program on Fresno’s KMJ (along with another thirty-something upstart out of New York, Sean Hannity). By then Tony was already a syndicated columnist, working at FOX news, and had served in the first Bush administration.
What set Tony apart from other pundits was his ability to make you know him. And you did. You were immediately friends because Tony Snow was one of us. He never knew he was remotely famous. And he never knew that I wasn’t. He and I would often talk on the phone as we were headed to after-school activities for our children.
I don’t think we ever once talked about politics. One time I asked him why he had phoned ME? (He was, after all, Tony Snow). He said “Sometimes I just need an out-of-the-beltway voice”. I was proud to serve in that role.
When he left his FOX news weekend show to take the job of White House press secretary, I thought this was the biggest career move ever! But for Tony it was always about family. He left the limelight of TV, for the privilege of public service for two reasons; to serve the president and for weekends with his kids. And when he left the White House it was equally simple. He needed to make more money to leave his family should something happen to him.
In the television world where vanity rules, the radio world where ego is king, and the political world where power is something you strive for, not toss aside, Tony Snow thought nothing of it. He would stop and talk to strangers. He was kind to people who were not, He knew what he believed and relished a debate. He was brilliant but never made you feel stupid.
I learned from Tony -- not about politics as much as I learned how much nicer the day is if you look on the bright side. The last day I spent with Tony he had invited me to his West Wing office. His staff told him he had 10 minutes, but we visited for an hour. I will always cherish sitting just a few yards from the Oval Office with my powerful friend, who was more eager to know about me, and work, and the kids; and to talk about God, and his family, and how spectacular the view was from the West Wing.
Comments
God Bless Tony Snow! He will be sorely missed by millions.
Posted by: redpeach | July 14, 2008 12:58 PM
Conservatism has truly lost a great friend in the mortal death of Tony Snow. Surely, a man of such strength of character, courage, integrity and humbleness has qualified to pass through the pearly gates and is now enjoying the wonder and reality of eternal life. American society and the conservative movement, will remember him with great respect for questioning the motivation of most of mainstream journalist's questions. May God shower his blessings on this great American citizen.
Posted by: Harry G. Jones | July 14, 2008 3:55 PM
It's a sad loss.
Posted by: A. Perales R. | July 16, 2008 10:47 PM