Sunday Snapshot -- "A Happy Warrior"

"Fox News Sunday" dedicated its full hour to remembering ex-host/ex-WH press sec. Tony Snow, who died of colon cancer 7/12 at the age of 53.

In a taped interview with Fox's Chris Wallace, VP Cheney talked about Snow's influence on the conservative movement.

Cheney: "He was a major player in the conservative movement. And the way I think of Tony is he's unique in terms of the extent to which he knew the news side of the business, then as a commentator, but also somebody who worked as part of the White House staff as a speech writer and, of course, as press secretary. And there are very, very few people that have had as much experience on both sides of the divide."

Cheney, on Snow's brand of conservatism: "I frankly agreed with him on nearly everything, and I'm generally viewed as pretty conservative. I'm not sure that that's saying something nice about Tony in some circles, but I always thought of him as a guy who understood very well the purposes of government, and that they were limited, and that there were some things government shouldn't do, that we are best able to do for ourselves."

After the jump, more Snow, Schwarzenegger on serving in an Obama admin. and Veepstakes.

(KATHERINE LEHR)

Cheney, on Snow's criticism of the admin. before taking the position of press sec., and if he continued his criticism once serving as press sec.: "He saw his job, I suppose in some respects, the way I saw mine. I didn't always agree with the President, but my job was to present my point of view when asked and then support whatever the decision was. ... Tony clearly operated very much on the basis that he was out there to represent the President of the United States. He worked for the President. It wasn't a matter for him, given the role he played, of trying to impose his views or to shape policy by virtue of the position he occupied."

Wallace: "I think it's fair to say that when he took over as press secretary in 2006 that the White House in general, and the press shop, press operation, in particular, was back on its heels, was playing defense. How effective was Tony in turning that around and being a forceful advocate on behalf of the president?"

Cheney: "Well, he was superb, Chris, because I've known or worked with a lot of press secretaries, White House press secretaries, in my 40 years in Washington, and I'd have to say that Tony's the best. ... He had this rare combination of intelligence, of commitment and loyalty to the President that he was working for, but also this great love of going out behind that podium and doing battle with what in effect were his former colleagues. ... I thought, better and more effectively than anybody I've ever seen in that post."

Wallace: "When he became such a star, did you ever think to yourself that if finances and health had not intervened that he might have been an effective Republican politician?"

Cheney: "Oh, I think he could have been a great candidate if he'd wanted to do that. ... If it hadn't been for the tragedy of cancer, I think Tony had an unlimited future ahead of him."

Rush Limbaugh, on what he saw in Snow: "Passion. Passion. Passion, and he was informed. He was earnest."

Limbaugh, on Snow's role in the conservative movement: "Well, that's hard to quantify because it's so much. I'll give you one example of this. I was watching one of his press briefings, and he would unfailingly challenge the premise of many of the questions. I'd never seen this before in a press secretary. ... The supporters of the president were desperate for this administration to defend itself against some of the attacks that were thought to be scurrilous, and there's Tony doing it. ... He did take a new tack as press secretary, and I'm telling you, he had a lot to do with keeping the president's approval numbers as high as they were."

Limbaugh, asked what stood out about Snow: "It was his consistent genuineness. ... No matter where you saw him, no matter what the event, Tony Snow was Tony Snow. What you expected from Tony is what you got. ... He had a joyful way of looking at the world. He believed in America. He believed in himself and his family. He believed in God. Those were the traditions and institutions he supported, and nobody did it better."

Politico's Allen: "This was a cruel disease. In front of our faces, we could see his hair thinning, his frame thinning, and yet he talked about the fact that optimism can be part of the cure. He talked about how blessed he was to live at a time when there was the hope of a cure."

More Allen: "When we went on the road with him, you know, a rock star in the red states, there were times more people wanted Tony's autograph than wanted the president's. ... When I walk by the White House at night, I stop and look and appreciate it, and it's because of Tony talking about how amazing it was to be in the Oval Office with the president, just the two of them."

FNC's Baier: "Tony was a happy warrior. He loved the combat, the back and forth, but it was never personal. His press briefings were, on average, 50 minutes to an hour, which is a lot longer than most. He liked it."

More Baier: "He started two weeks before I got over to the White House. My son was born with a series of congenital heart defects, had to have two open-heart surgeries. ... Tony e-mailed almost every day, all the time, to check up. ... And then when I came back to the first briefing after that, he welcomed me back and he said, 'Nothing is more stressful than a parent having to see a child suffer.' And this is from a guy at the time who was going through chemo, in probably one of the most stressful jobs there is."

ABC's Raddatz: "He was Mr. Smooth on television, which was also just very smart. ... The tone in the room just changed when Tony Snow came in. We loved it more, too. I mean, it was a great 50 minutes to sit there and battle it out with Tony. ... He was very good on T.V. -- very, very good on T.V., and effective, and I think all of us in television especially felt that right away. It's like, 'Uh-oh, he's as good as you get.' ... I certainly got into it a lot with him on the Iraq war, and he loved that. And he was challenged by that and you knew he was. And the better your questions, the more excited he got about it" (7/13).

The other Sunday shows offered kind words about Snow.

CBS' Schieffer: "As a cancer survivor myself, I always appreciated the way Tony was very upfront about cancer. He confronted it. He thought it was important to talk about it. ... I never once heard him say 'Why me?' Or 'this is unfair.' In fact, he said at one point that he thought it may have been the best thing that ever happened to him, because he came to know more about himself and he was able to get out and talk about it" ("Face the Nation," 7/13).

WH counselor Ed Gillespie: "One of the good guys. ... Tony and I went way back. I knew him when he and I were in jobs at Washington that didn't deem to be important. And we were friends when we were both in jobs that were considered important by Washington standards. But I also knew him when he was in an important job and I wasn't. And he was always the same and always treated me very kindly and with respect. ... [We] lived in the same area. Our kids were in the same sports leagues, and I got to see him where things really matter, which is on the sidelines of the soccer field with his children."

More Gillespie: "I always said that Tony Snow's briefings could air not only on C-SPAN but on pay-per-view. They were that entertaining. But informative. And he had a great way of capturing these somewhat esoteric and complicated debates in a way that resonated with people" ("Face the Nation," CBS, 7/13).

NBC's Brokaw, after showing a clip of Tim Russert interviewing Snow: "It's been a tough season for all of us here in Washington. Tony Snow, an elegant man, loved and respected by so many, dead at the age of 53. He was a graceful spokesman with a great taste for music. He had strong political views, but he had friends across the political spectrum in this city and beyond. He went out as he lived, with great conviction and with great dignity. And his family is in our thoughts and prayers this morning" ("Meet the Press," 7/13).

See ROUNDTABLE ROUNDUP for more on Snow.

CALL ON ME

CA Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger (R) was on "This Week," and he was asked about Newsweek's report that Barack Obama might want him to be his energy and environment czar.

Schwarzenegger: "I don't think about taking on a national role, because there's so many challenges that we have here in California."

ABC's Stephanopoulos: "But if he were president and he called?"

Schwarzenegger: "It's a hypothetical. I'm always ready to help in any way I can the United States, because as you know, I've committed myself to be a public servant, because as I said, this country has given me everything. And so this is my time now. I'm through with the acting and all the things that I have done and the bodybuilding, even though I love all those things still. But for me, now, it's important to give something back and to do my work without getting paid. ... No matter if I have this position or not, I will be traveling around the world and I will be promoting the energy independence, renewables, solar, windmills and all of those kinds of things, protecting the environment, protecting our oceans. All of those things I will do anyway."

Stephanopoulos: "So if he were president and he called, you'd at least take that call."

Schwarzenegger: "I'd take his call now and I'd take his call when he's president, anytime. But remember that no matter who is president, I don't see this as a political thing. I see this that we always have to help no matter what the administration is" (ABC, 7/13).

He was also asked about John McCain wanting to extend Pres. Bush's economic policies.

Schwarzenegger: "Well, let me tell you something. What is being said on those presidential campaigns is one thing, but what people have done in the past is something else. So you judge people on what have they done. Senator McCain has been in that office for a long enough time that we look at his record, and I think that his record shows that he maybe has his ideas, but he sees, also, the Democrats have their ideas. And he's interested in molding his ideas together with the Democratic ideas in order to come up with a compromise.

Stephanopoulos: "It sounds like you're saying, 'don't listen too much to what he says on the campaign trail.'"

Schwarzenegger: "No. What I'm saying is, in general, you have to judge people more by what they have done in the past. And I always say that well done is better than well said" (ABC, 7/13).

UMM ... UMM .... UMM

SC Gov. Mark Sanford (R) appeared on "Late Edition," where he discussed the economy.

CNN's Blitzer: "Are there any significant economic differences between what the Bush administration has put forward, over these many years, as opposed to, now, what John McCain supports?"

Sanford: "Yes. I mean, for instance, take, you know -- take, for instance, the issue of -- I'm drawing a blank, and I hate it when I do that, particularly on television. ... But take, for instance, the contrast on NAFTA. I mean, I think that the bigger issue is credibility in where one is coming from on, are they consistent where they come from. John McCain has consistently stood against earmarks throughout his tenure in the United States Senate. Regrettably, the president has not been exactly busy with the veto pen on earmarks. I mean, there's just one contrast alone" (CNN, 7/13).

THE NEVERENDING "NO"

Veepstakes continued to be a hot topic.

First, the GOPers:

Sanford, asked if he is being vetted for VP: "Generous and kind, but again, I'm just trying to survive the week. I've made it to Sunday and I'm excited about it."

CNN's Blitzer: "What's your answer, have they asked you for any documents?"

Sanford: "No, sir. No, sir" ("Late Edition," CNN, 7/13).

During her appearance on "Meet the Press," McCain adviser Carly Fiorina was asked if she would be on the ticket with McCain.

Fiorina: "I don't deal in hypotheticals. I think there are many, many people who would be honored to serve the country and John McCain. I am certainly among them. But he will have a long list of qualified people that he can call upon. I'm doing this because I think this election matters. I'm doing this because I think the choices are stark and clear between these two candidates. I'm doing this because I think John McCain will make a wonderful president of the United States" (NBC, 7/13).

And the Dems:

On "Meet the Press," Sen. Claire McCaskill (D-MO) was asked about the VP spot.

NBC's Brokaw: "Senator McCaskill, you come from the battleground state of Missouri. You're a popular first-term senator. And Senator Obama does need help with women of a certain age."

McCaskill: "I think you just said I was old."

Brokaw: "Would you like to be his vice presidential candidate?"

McCaskill: "You know, I'm going to be very honest. I am extremely honored to even be mentioned. ... I have no idea as to what Barack Obama's doing in regards to vice president. But I'll tell you what, this is a popular parlor game, especially around these parts. If I were a betting person, I wouldn't bet on me."

Brokaw: "But have you been asked to give up certain documents?"

McCaskill: "I'm not going to discuss about the process, because the campaign, frankly, has asked us not to. I think that Barack Obama is going to -- I trust his judgment. ... He will find the right partner to change America, and that's what he's got to focus on" (NBC, 7/13).

Sen. Chris Dodd (D-CT), asked if he is being vetted for VP: "I think all 99 of the senators are being vetted in the process."

Blitzer: "What about you? Have they asked for your IRS returns? Other documents? Have you been interviewed already?"

Dodd: "No, I mentioned that last week. ... My concentration and my effort, we've been talking about this housing issue. We've been on it all weekend frankly talking about it. We've got the Iranian sanctions bill coming up this week. I've got matters before the health and education committee. That's where my focus and attention is going to be. Barack Obama would make a great choice. I wouldn't comment on it any further than that."

Blitzer: "But have they started questioning you, asking you questions about possibly being on the ticket?"

Dodd: "Wolf, we're going to leave it at that. I've got a lot of work on my hands this week" ("Late Edition," CNN, 7/13).

AZ Gov. Janet Napolitano (D) was also on "Late Edition," and she was asked if she is being vetted for VP.

Napolitano: "No."

Blitzer: "So as far as you know, you're not necessarily on that short list? "

Napolitano: "No. ... This is Senator Obama's choice. The Democratic bench is a deep one, some very talented people there, and whatever choice he makes, I'm going to be enthusiastic about."

Napolitano, asked if she would like to be VP: "You know, I'm not even going to answer that question, it will just fuel speculation. This is the nominee's choice. Like I said, the bench is a deep one" (CNN, 7/13).

GAFFES GALORE

Meanwhile, there continued to be discussion about the "mental recession" comments made by McCain economic advisor Phil Gramm.

McCain adviser Carly Fiorina, asked if Gramm will continue to have a role in the camp: "I don't think Senator Gramm will any longer be speaking for John McCain, and I think John McCain was crystal clear about that this week" ("Meet the Press," NBC, 7/13).

SC Gov. Mark Sanford (R): "Anybody who has, you know, been in the arena has put their foot in their mouth on different occasions. ... So I think that the question is, one, did the McCain campaign repudiate, and did John repudiate what Senator Gramm said? And the answer is absolutely. And then the question is, does Phil bring expertise to the table with regard to policy? And I think he does. So I think it was a stupid comment. I think it was out of line with reality, but it ought to be taken as such, and people ought to move on. So, as with any person out there who is advising you, I think you're going to take the good and dismiss the bad, and that happened to be bad and not all that thoughtful" ("Late Edition," CNN, 7/13).

McCain economic adviser Nancy Pfotenhauer, asked if Gramm is still a top economic adviser to McCain: "I have heard about no change in status, but you certainly heard very loudly and clearly Senator McCain say Phil Gramm does not speak for me in this regard" ("Late Edition," CNN, 7/13).

Sen. Jon Kyl (R-AZ): "Phil Gramm is a very outspoken guy, as you remember when he was in the Senate. He's also an economist and he is technically correct when he says that we haven't been in a recession because of the definition that economists use for a recession" ("Late Edition," CNN, 7/13).

See ROUNDTABLE ROUNDUP for more on Gramm and how his comments compare to those made by Rev. Jesse Jackson.

ROUNDTABLE ROUNDUP

The "Fox News Sunday" roundtable discussed Tony Snow.

Fox's Hume: "Tony Snow was the face of Fox News before there was a Fox News and certainly before there was a Fox News Channel. ... He was a fearless, cheerful, funny, smart."

NPR's Williams: "He was a different kind of Sunday interviewer, because Tony was not a 'gotcha' guy. Tony ... wanted to be an advocate for the audience and introduce Washingtonians, Washington official power players, to America. So he would ask circular questions. He would go on at times. As a fellow journalist, sometimes I'd be frustrated. But you have to understand ... that he was engaging in a debate. For him, it was sitting at the dinner table."

Fox's Wallace, on taking over "Fox News Sunday": "At first, I got some e-mails, somewhat doubting e-mails, from viewers about me ... daring to fill his shoes. And to this day, the biggest compliment I get is occasionally I'll get an e-mail that says, 'You're still not Tony Snow, but you're not bad'" (7/13).

The "Late Edition" roundtable discussed the gaffes made by Gramm and Jackson, and shared their thoughts about Snow.

CNN's Borger, on Gramm: "He should have known better. That is not the kind of thing when you're an economic adviser to a presidential candidate who's out there saying, I feel your pain, I feel your pain. ... There was talk that Phil Gramm could be a secretary of the treasury in a McCain administration. I doubt that would be the case right now. I think this was a real, real problem."

CNN's Schneider: "It was unfortunate for Jesse Jackson, but there's a real difference between this incident and the Gramm incident. ... The difference is the Gramm incident I think was damaging to McCain because it undermined his message. The Jesse Jackson incident may have helped Obama, because Obama wants to look like a different kind of African-American politician. He's not Jesse Jackson and here's Jesse Jackson expressing anger and exasperation with him. What could he want more?"

Borger, on Snow: "Tony Snow was wonderful because he could disagree with you without being disagreeable. I know that's a cliche, but it's true. So smart, so engaging. And one of his talents was listening. That's why he was such a good host of the Sunday show."

Schneider: "Scott McClellan, Ari Fleischer. I mean, the press conferences in the early days of the Bush administration were grim. They were tense. It was like a showdown between the press secretary and the administration and the press corps. It was very, very, sometimes unpleasant. When Tony Snow came in, there was an immediate transformation. It was lively, it was vigorous and it was actually fun to watch" (7/13).

The "Face the Nation" roundtable discussed Iraq.

Politico's Simon, asked if there is any signficance in Sen. Chuck Hagel (R-NE) accompanying Obama to Iraq: "I think it's a very interesting use of a Republican to calm Democratic fears. There were some fears raised among Democrats when Barack Obama said he's going to Iraq, in part to refine his position after talking to military leaders. Well, the Democratic Party doesn't want his position getting out of Iraq refined. They want it carried out. Chuck Hagel is very strong on getting out of Iraq, was one of three Republicans who voted to set up a 120-day timetable, last year, to get out of Iraq. And this is Barack Obama's way of saying, I'm still going to get out of Iraq" (CBS, 7/13).

The "Meet the Press" roundtable discussed WH '08, including the comments made by Jackson and Gramm.

GOP strategist Mike Murphy, on Jackson's comments: "It struck me almost like a pro-wrestling maneuver it was so perfect. And I think it paid big political gold for Barack Obama. This election's going to come down to white independents and conservative blue collar Catholics in the Great Lakes metal-bending region. ... And this kind of triangulation opera we saw with Jesse Jackson is very good politically for Obama. I don't think it puts the race away by any means. I think it's going to be a very close race all the way, but it's exactly what Obama needs. McCain, to win, has to be a different kind of Republican. Barack, in some ways, has to be a different kind of Democrat. And if he's stuck in the liberal land of Jesse Jackson, he can't win."

Murphy, on Gramm: "We're not going to hear from Phil Gramm again. He's going to be in the witness relocation program for the rest of the campaign, I would predict. And so I think it was a small ding on McCain, but I thought McCain did a very good job of pivoting back to the economy."

DLC chair/ex-Rep. Harold Ford Jr. (D-TN): "There's a difference between what Jackson did and what Gramm did. Gramm came back the following day and stood by his remarks. ... To Jackson's credit, he at least apologized" (NBC, 7/13).

The "This Week" roundtable discussed WH '08 and Snow.

Stephanopoulos, on Snow: "Quick wit, but also a heart that really knew joy" (ABC, 7/13).