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09/04/2007: "Never A Straight Answer, Even In The End"

So now Press Secretary Tony Snow is joining the parade of rats leaving the sinking ship ... er, presidential assistants opting to quit the White House early. Tony's gained a certain sympathetic capital because of his upbeat fight against cancer, but he'll never go down as a great PS. It's true that W is said to have enjoyed Snow's battles against the press, but hey - the job isn't to amuse the president but to inform the people. I had my doubts when he first came over from Fox News, and they were never completely put aside.

It's understandable why Karl Rove and Alberto Gonzalez might take off now, but Snow? C'mon - just look at his excuse: at $168,000 a year, he claims he not making enough money to keep the job. OK, I'm sure that cancer treatments are expensive, but you're going to tell me that the White House medical plan doesn't cover them? If it's really just about the money, and Snow wants us to believe that service to America doesn't warrant the pay cut he took when he came to the White House, then just how shallow is the man.

My fear is that the real reason is a recurrence of the cancer. He certainly wouldn't be the first to put up a brave face against impossible odds (see: Peter Jennings), but imagine the impact that could be had if he held his final briefing with Lance Armstrong at his side as he announced the recurrence and his intention to fight to the end. The publicity for the disease - and programs to find a cure - would be incredible.

But instead, it's one more lame excuse from a White House famous for them. The good news is that Snow's assistant, Dana Perino - who took over the task while Snow was out earlier this year for his last round of treatments - will be taking over full time. She seems better suited for the job, and is certainly easy on the eyes - and that can't hurt!!