WASHINGTON (Reuters) - U.S. President George W. Bush's former press secretary Tony Snow, known for his genial jousting with reporters, has died of cancer, the White House said on Saturday.
Snow, 53, who had been a conservative radio and televisioncommentator, left the post as Bush's spokesman in September2007 after taking the job the previous year.
Bush said in a statement that he and his wife, Laura, "aredeeply saddened by the death of our dear friend."
He called Snow "one of our nation's finest writers andcommentators" who "earned a loyal following with incisive radioand television broadcasts."
Snow learned in March last year that the colon cancer hehad fought earlier had recurred and spread. But he said hisdecision to leave was for financial, not health, reasons. Hehad earned far more as a commentator than his White Housesalary.
The affable Snow was credited with livening up the dailynews briefings and was admired for his skill at sparring withreporters.
Bush noted that Snow had worked as a speech writer in theadministration of his father, former President George H.W.Bush, "and I was thrilled when he agreed to return to the WhiteHouse to serve as my press secretary."
Bush said it was "a joy to watch Tony at the podium eachday. He brought wit, grace, and a great love of country to hiswork," and said Snow's colleagues "will cherish memories of hisenergetic personality and relentless good humour."
Bush's father, speaking to FOX News, said Snow did his jobin a way that showed "the political process didn't have to bemean and ugly." Snow could "disagree, but do it agreeably. Hedidn't have this cutting edge," the former president said.
U.S. House of Representatives Speaker Nancy Pelosi, aCalifornia Democrat and fierce critic of the Bushadministration, also praised Snow who she said "always showedthe kindness of his Midwestern American roots."
Snow and his wife, Jill, had three children.
(Writing by Vicki Allen; Editing by Doina Chiacu)
