Was Tony Snow always like this?

[senseandsensibility]

In the past couple of weeks, I've seen clips of an exhausted, irritated looking Snow. He seems like he can barely summon the energy to make his flippant replies. For example, he sighed something like fine, I'll apologize when a reporter asked if the administration owed the public an apology for outing a CIA agent. His demeanor was lethargic and disdainful. Now he is apparently apologizing for his flippant comment about it being 130 degrees in Iraq to explain their taking August off.

I know he's ill, but was he always like this? I never watched him then, so I don't know. But it seems like he is just so weak, exhausted and irritated that he is not doing his boss any good. And isn't that all he cares about?

[rusty_parts2001]

1. the accumulation of years of lying takes its toll

even on cretins like Snow

[wtmusic]

2. He's always lied -- lying gives him a rosy glow

it's the being held accountable part that hurts

[HereSince1628]

3. Yeah, selling aluminum siding used to really take it out of him.

And personally, I wish he was back in Iowa doing tin-man commercials.

[xultar]

4. He had cancer treatments a while ago. Maybe it's returning or he's still under

treatment.

[atreides1]

5. He does have cancer

I recall at times my mother got irritated when she was dealing with her cancer, she was also tired, sometimes depressed, but I don't recall her ever being disdainful even when she was taking liquid morphine for the pain.

But, then again I guess something like this can bring out the real personality of a person, perhaps prior to this he was putting on an act and now he just doesn't care anymore.

[slj0101]

6. Terminal cancer will do that to ya.

[AndyA]

7. Yes, Tony Snow has always been an asshole.

I'm sorry he's suffering with cancer, but all that evil inside and all those lies he's told do come back to get you eventually.

[tularetom]

8. Years ago he used to sub for the pig boy

and he was nasty snide and snarky then just like he is now.

If you believe at all in karma he should be the poster boy. I'm sorry he's sick but he makes it hard to be TOO sorry with his condescension toward well, everybody but bush and cheney.

I'm sure he's financially set for life. Why not enjoy whatever time he has left with his family - unless he enjoys being a dick.

[GodlessBiker]

9. It's like he's sealed in a can of mixed nuts.

[Auntie Bush]

10. Tony is undergoing caner treatments as we speak and they don't

do ones disposition any good as you all probably know...give Tony a break!
As much as I dislike his commentary and him...I really don't think its nice of us to make comments about how awful he acts when on Chemo or radiation or whatever. He's trying to do his job! Wouldn't we all have a hard time looking happy, cheery and perky defending this administration? That's an impossible job for anyone...even if they'd had one or two too many.

To be serious...I think Tony isn't doing very well. I saw him the other day after not seeing him for quite awhile and frankly I didn't even recognize him for a few minutes. He's really going down hill rather fast and I actually wouldn't wish anyone any ill will...except you know who!

[Orrex]

16. A good suggestion in theory

If Snow's job were to answer the phone or to run a metal stamping press, then it would clearly be boorish to make an issue of the impact that chemo/radiation is having on his health. Just as it would have been boorish to make sport of Specter during his treatment; he looked quite haggard on the floor of the Senate, but no one (AFAIK) grilled him for it.

But Snow's job is to be the public face of the Whitehouse. His job is to seem composed and to handle the questions asked by the press. His job is to act as a go-between for the American people and the President.

If he's unable (quite understandably) to meet the challenges of his job because of the constraints of his health, perhaps he should consider extending his medical leave.

I'm just cynical enough to believe that this administration likes having him front-and-center, in the hope/belief that his condition will garner sympathy and result in less strident questioning.

Tony Snow, human shield.

[BlooInBloo]

11. A lying misanthropic sack of shit? Yes. Dying of cancer? No.

[undeterred]

12. Terminal illness plus unmitigated evil can't be good for the psyche.

[senseandsensibility]

13. I am well aware of his cancer treatments

and the fact that he was out for a while because of them. I wish him a speedy recovery. But it is painful to watch him. He may have been cocky and arrogant before, as some on this thread are suggesting. But now, with his lack of energy or sense of real interest or belief in what he is saying, it's gone beyond "cocky". I don't know. Obviously, it's his decision if he wants to keep working, and anyone would have the same problems if they were esperiencing cancer treatment, but at some point doesn't someone have to ask if he's effective? Once again, I wish him a quick recovery.

[Hubert Flottz]

14. He's always been an asshole!

[Mr_Jefferson_24]

15. I cannot imagine willingly serving as...

...Satan's mouthpiece could do anything but destroy one from within -- the effect is quite apparent.

[pingzing58]

17. It's the Dorian's Picture effect.