CNN: Sources: White House spokesman Snow to step down

[AsburySkinsFan]

Wow, looks like the Titanic at 1600 Penn Ave.

Sources: White House spokesman Snow to step down

WASHINGTON (CNN) -- White House press secretary Tony Snow will step down from his position as early as next month, sources inside and outside the Bush administration told CNN on Friday.

When contacted by CNN about his possible departure, Snow said, "I'm not making any announcement."

Snow told conservative talk-show host Hugh Hewitt on Thursday that "financial reasons" may prevent him for serving the remainder of his boss's presidency.

"I'm not going to be able to go the distance, but that's primarily for financial reasons." Snow said. "I've told people when my money runs out, then I've got to go."

According to The Washington Post, Snow makes $168,000 as the White House spokesman.

CNN has previously reported that Chief of Staff Josh Bolten told senior White House staffers that unless they could commit to staying until President Bush leaves office in January 2009, they should leave by Labor Day.

Snow, 52, had been treated for colon cancer in 2005. In March, during surgery to remove a growth from his abdomen, doctors discovered that the cancer had returned and spread to his liver.

Five weeks later, Snow returned to the White House podium and continued to work as the president's chief spokesman as he underwent chemotherapy. In recent interviews, he indicated that his health situation had stabilized.

Before coming to the White House in April 2006, Snow had worked for the Fox News Channel and hosted his own nationally syndicated radio show.

He took a significant pay cut to take the job of press secretary and has talked publicly in the past about the financial sacrifices, as well as his passion for the post.

People close to Snow said that he felt he needed to make some more money to help his family, which includes children readying for college.

Speculation on who might replace Snow has centered on his deputy, Dana Perino. When asked about Snow's plans to leave, Perino told CNN, "I've got nothing on that, nor would I speculate."

Also on Friday, Rep. Dennis Hastert of Illinois announced that he would not seek another term in 2008. Hastert stepped down from his Republican leadership post but remained in Congress when Democrats took back control of Congress in November 2006.

And earlier this week, Karl Rove, Bush's senior political adviser, announced he would step down at the end of the month. He characterized his tenure in the White House as a "witness to history" as he announced his resignation Monday.

[Dan T.]

Really, it's not that unusual for administration officials to start to leave toward the end of a President's term, so to read this as some sort of sign of disaster isn't legitimate. On top of that, with Snow's health issues, is it really surprising that he would want to step down?

[Vinnick]

The stuff he said about running out of money does confuse me. You'd think that the White House would have an excellent health insurance plan if its connected to his cancer.

We know he made more working for the admin over at Foxnews. But, still. That just doesn't add up.

[Dan T.]

The stuff he said about running out of money does confuse me. You'd think that the White House would have an excellent health insurance plan if its connected to his cancer.

We know he made more working for the admin over at Foxnews. But, still. That just doesn't add up.

Does he have college age children?? Plus, tragic as it is to say, when you're facing your own mortality, the financial stability of your family takes on added importance, I would imagine.

[ACW]

Financial struggles? He supposedly took a big salary cut when he joined, but he still makes $168k. I'd be glad to have to "struggle" w/ that salary.

[AsburySkinsFan]

I'm sorry Dan, but I can't believe that Tony Snow is broke. With that said I fully understand that it is normal for administration officials to start leaving toward the end of a 2nd term, the problem is that he still has 16 months left, and within the last week he's lost his brain trust and his mouth piece. IMO, it just seems a lot early for everyone to be leaving, since most that I've seen tend to leave within the last 6 months or so not with well more than a year to go.

[#98QBKiller]

Damn, I assumed this was already posted.

[Burgold]

I have a lot of sympathy for the guy. Again, he's a great spinner, but that's what he's supposed to be. Even though his job is spin, I want to take him at his word here. He's chosen to leave and be it for health or other reasons, I think he tried to do his best for this administration.

[ACW]

I think he tried to do his best for this administration.

Well, you know what they say about lipstick and pigs (or polish and turds).