Is Tony Snow a reincarnation of 'Baghdad Bob'?

[LastLiberal in PalmSprings]

Listening to Tony attempt to spin the ISGR today, The Iraqi Minister of Information came to mind.

* * *
From today's White House Press Conference:

DAVID GREGORY: You're suggesting that by quoting the report, I'm trying to make a partisan argument?

MR. SNOW: Let me put it this way. Where in the report -- what you have said is, can you read this as anything other than a repudiation of policy. And the answer is, I can. And what I was trying to do was to explain to you, for instance, when you suggested that "stay the course" was a repudiation of policy -- not true. It's not administration policy. When you talk about the fact that there's a deteriorating situation, is that a repudiation of policy. No, it's something that we have acknowledged. So what you have asked is a series of bullet points, each of which we have been discussing and addressing, and then you're asking if that is a repudiation of policy. No, it's an acknowledgment of reality, David.

* * *
From an interview on April 5, 2003:

BAGHDAD BOB: "They are not near Baghdad. Don't believe them.... They said they entered with... tanks in the middle of the capital. They claim that they - I tell you, I... that this speech is too far from the reality. It is a part of this sickness of their plan. There is no an... - no any existence to the American troops or for the troops in Baghdad at all."

* * *

One reported noted about Baghdad Bob, "In an age of spin, al-Sahaf offers feeling and authenticity. His message is consistent -- unshakeable, in fact, no matter the evidence -- but he commands daily attention by his on-the-spot, invective-rich variations on the theme. His lunatic counterfactual art is more appealing than the banal awfulness of the Reliable Sources. He is a Method actor in a production that will close in a couple of days. He stands superior to truth." Replace "al-Sahaf" with "Tony Snow" and the same observation stands.

In the end Baghdad Bob said something Tony Snow could never say -- the truth: "This invasion will end in failure." April 7, 2003

[renate]

1. I don't know, but I do know his voice is like Rita Crosby's...

...in that it can clear a room in 10 seconds. Keith is so much more responsible than most newscasters and shows long excerpts of press conferences instead of out-of-context snippets, but unfortunately that means he shows long stretchs of Sore-Throat Tony Snow most nights. Thank goodness for that "mute" button.

[Mugsy]

2. Heh.

But in all honesty, Dubya is our "Baghdad Bob"... the oblivious and unwavering state of denial despite all evidence to the contrary.

Saddam never gave Press Conferences. :)

[napi21]

3. I never thought of that, but you're right. Pictures of what's real

are right out there, and he still says NO you're wrong! That's not true!

I watched that exchange between Tony and Gregory, and Gregory was great! He even said "I'mquotingthe report,and you're telling ME I'm being partisan?"

Itmade me laugh! Tony is being a good little water carrier, but he has to know how stupidhe looked today!

[TomInTib]

4. I was thinking about this a few days ago...

Thinking about how the WH was going to spin the 'study'.


Thinking about ol' "Bob".

[GreenZoneLT]

5. Please, Tony Snow couldn't carry Al Sahaf's beret

Seriously, Mohammed Saeed al Sahaf is alone in his field. That Baghdad Bob nickname is so disrespectful of such a master of balderdash.

My favorite fact about the guy is that unlike nearly all high Baath officials, he wasn't accused of any crimes; he turned up in the UAE, where he now does commentary on pan-Arab news channels.

I neglected to bring my coffee mug over here that says, "American infidels in Baghdad? Never!"

[Erika]

6. Tony made Baghdad Bob look good

barrel of laughs.

[MADem]

7. Well, he's the Decider's favorite shill, that's for sure!

http://www.edwardsdavid.com.nyud.net:8090/media/comedy/images/com_tds_tony_snow_decider_060427b2.jpg

[Chipper Chat]

8. It's all in the game -

2003 -
CNN: "we have reports that American troops are at Saddam Airport right now"
BAGHDAD BOB: "they are not at the airport."

2006 -
CNN: "we have reports that American troops are being fired on at Baghdad Airport"
BAGHDAD BUSH: "Baghdad has an airport?"

[madrchsod]

9. yes he is but not as good.....

hi! long time no read! nice to see you are still around this crazy place....