Tony Snow

[Ja Di ksw]

I didn't hate Tony Snow enough before, so life has given me more of a reason. Apparently he is going to quit being the White House Spokesman (I don't care if he does or not) for "financial reasons" because he is making - get this - *only* $168,000. The average household income in the States is, what, $60,000? $80,000? He's making over double by himself, possibly almost triple, but that's not enough to put bread on his table apparently.
If he doesn't want to work there, whatever. That's his choice. But the guy is acting like he did this great service by taking a pay cut to - once again - *only* $168,000, and now that low pay has been hurting him and his savings so much he can't afford to stay at the job.


,,!,, you, Tony Snow.

[strider42]

yeah, that's a lot of money, but if he can leave and get a lot more elsewhere, why shouldn't he. Seriously, how can you hate a guy for wanting to get more money. I am sure you would do exactly the same thing, I know I would. its not like he's doing something so personally fulfilling in being a whitehouse spokesman. He's not curing cancer or anything. A guy with his connections can probably make a ton more than what he's making now. I'm no fan of his or the administration, but this is kind of a non issue.

[yg17]

Good riddance. Don't let your door hit you in the arse on the way out. Pass that message on to Rove too

[steamboat26]

But how will the administration do worse than him? :eek:
They will find a way, but it seems like the spokespeople under this administration has gotten progressively worse, who's next?

[maccam]

Dude, chill!

If he can get richer honestly and faster... WHY NOT!?!?!?

Oh, $168,000 is nothing in a year.

[swiftaw]

Dude, chill!

If he can get richer honestly and faster... WHY NOT!?!?!?

Oh, $168,000 is nothing in a year.

That's fine if he said he had an opportunity he couldn't turn down, but the way he phrased it he was basically saying that he couldn't afford to live off that income. It's a little insensitive when the vast majority have to live on less than that income, and there are alot of people who have to live off alot less.

As for $168,000 not being alot, I think it is. The median US salary is about $67,000 for men and about $50,000 for women, so the vast majority of people don't make $168,000.

[Ja Di ksw]

Thank you swiftaw, that's what I was referring to.

I'm *NOT* complaining that he wants more money. I'm *NOT* complaining about the administration. I *am* complaining that he's acting like $168,000 isn't enough for him to live on. It's really insulting that this guy is pulling a "poor me, I'm so poor after taking this job" bit, when the majority of us would love to make half of that.

[nbs2]

Thank you swiftaw, that's what I was referring to.

I'm *NOT* complaining that he wants more money. I'm *NOT* complaining about the administration. I *am* complaining that he's acting like $168,000 isn't enough for him to live on. It's really insulting that this guy is pulling a "poor me, I'm so poor after taking this job" bit, when the majority of us would love to make half of that.

You seem to more than a little upset about that.

Anyway, the guy was making some serious cash before he took the job, and for him $168k was a major pay cut. The wealthy tend to rack up pretty serious bills, not the least of which are the mortgages that they have as well. He may actually need to go back to the private sector if his lifestyle is putting him in a position where he is not fiscally sound.

[swiftaw]

You seem to more than a little upset about that.

Anyway, the guy was making some serious cash before he took the job, and for him $168k was a major pay cut. The wealthy tend to rack up pretty serious bills, not the least of which are the mortgages that they have as well. He may actually need to go back to the private sector if his lifestyle is putting him in a position where he is not fiscally sound.

Ok, fair enough, it's hard to suddenly live off a fraction of your previous income, but that raises 2 points: (a) he knew the salary before he took the job, it wasn't a surprise that his income suddenly got slashed, (b) even if he really does need more money, wouldn't you think someone would have said to him "look, you can say that you need more money, that's a little insensitive, why not say it's for personal reasons and leave it at that"

[Ja Di ksw]

I'm probably more upset than I should be, I've got hit with multiple bad situations in the past month that have floored me financially.

In any case, I don't think that him being rich is an excuse for needing more money. The way you worded that post, it seems like his lifestyle is forcing him to need more money. Your lifestyle doesn't force you to need more money, you need money based on how you *choose* to live. If he wants to stay on the job, he can easily live on his paycheck.

[OnceUGoMac]

I doubt Tony Snow will even survive to 2009. If we wants to leave one of the most stressful jobs today, so be it.

[Ja Di ksw]

I doubt Tony Snow will even survive to 2009. If we wants to leave one of the most stressful jobs today, so be it.

Neither of those topics are even relevant to the point of the thread.

[Caezar]

I personally doubt that these are the real reasons why he is leaving.

Sounds more like a fake excuse. He probably had rather look like a greedy or insensitive person rather than be perceived as jumping from a sinking ship.

Don't you think?

[Abstract]

I'm probably more upset than I should be, I've got hit with multiple bad situations in the past month that have floored me financially.


And? Why are you taking out your frustration on him??

Let this guy go back to the private sector. This story is a non-event. It's not even a story.....it's like reading a tabloid, except you're talking about someone related to politics rather than A-list and B-list celebrities. It's just as bad, though.

[Foxglove9]

The news article I just read gave me the same impression as the OP had.

Especially the part about him making only $168,000 and needs to make more to help his family and pay for college for his children and all. Boo hoo.

It's too bad about the cancer. That could be draining his salary really quickly.

He probably really is looking to jump the sinking ship. Though he denies even stepping down so who knows.

[Kamera RAWr]

I'm hoping they replace Tony Snow with Bill O'Reilly. We could use a no-spin White House, for once :rolleyes:

[leekohler]

The news article I just read gave me the same impression as the OP had.

Especially the part about him making only $168,000 and needs to make more to help his family and pay for college for his children and all. Boo hoo.

It's too bad about the cancer. That could be draining his salary really quickly.

He probably really is looking to jump the sinking ship. Though he denies even stepping down so who knows.

While I sympathize with him for having cancer, his salary (and the government health insurance that comes with it) should certainly be enough to live on. This sounds like an excuse to get out of the Bush administration, and I can't blame him. I was actually surprised he took the job in the first place. Before that, I had some respect for him. He used to seem like a halfway decent guy. He lost that respect when he took the job.

[Thomas Veil]

You seem to more than a little upset about that.

Anyway, the guy was making some serious cash before he took the job, and for him $168k was a major pay cut. The wealthy tend to rack up pretty serious bills, not the least of which are the mortgages that they have as well. He may actually need to go back to the private sector if his lifestyle is putting him in a position where he is not fiscally sound.Tony Snow was, I'm sure, making much better money at Fox -- and that's the point of his critics. If he knew he had college-bound kids, and he knew he was taking a pay cut, then why didn't he put away some money beforehand?

Cripes, how many times have we heard conservatives scold people making $25,000 a year for not managing their money better and living within their means? And Tony is complaining about making six figures?? Whether it's high six figures or low six figures, my response is the same: gimme a friggin' break!! Learn to save money and live within your means, Tony. And stop whining and defending a party that lectures fiscal responsibility to the rest of us!

...$168,000 is nothing in a year.You are kidding, right?? :eek:

[zimv20]

Neither of those topics are even relevant to the point of the thread.
his fight with cancer *is* relevant, though. if he figures he's got only so long to live, why not maximize salary in order to have more time off? or buy a ferrari? or do whatever he wants with his money, since it's really none of our business.

but we're ignoring the *real* reason he, and rove btw, left: joshua bolton informed staff that those who didn't intend to stay the full remainder of bush's term should resign by labor day. i don't see why those who choose to leave need to come up with other reasons, but snow and rove did.

whatever, he doesn't want the job anymore, and who can blame him?

[aquajet]

Neither of those topics are even relevant to the point of the thread.


Have you seen Tony lately? The guy looks as if he's aged 20 years over the past year or so. I find it hard to believe this wasn't a factor in his decision to leave.

As much as I despise what the man's done, I'm guessing his days are numbered and I hope he is able to make the best of them.

@maccam
$168k is more than twice the average family income. Not anything at all? Well, I have only one thing for that: :rolleyes:

[OnceUGoMac]

Neither of those topics are even relevant to the point of the thread.

Myself and others disagree. Sorry to ruin your party.:rolleyes:

[obeygiant]

Oh, $168,000 is nothing in a year.

maybe for people in the broadcast news industry or the upper echelons of government. I'd love to make that much.

[mactastic]

He's not curing cancer or anything.
Let's hope he is.

Who was the sports star a couple years ago who was complaining he couldn't take care of his family on the exorbinant contract he was offered?

[Swarmlord]

That's fine if he said he had an opportunity he couldn't turn down, but the way he phrased it he was basically saying that he couldn't afford to live off that income. It's a little insensitive when the vast majority have to live on less than that income, and there are alot of people who have to live off alot less.

As for $168,000 not being alot, I think it is. The median US salary is about $67,000 for men and about $50,000 for women, so the vast majority of people don't make $168,000.

The guy was making money hand over fist with his syndicated radio program and columns and taking this job forced him to put all that on hold. Now he wants to go back to it. I don't blame him one bit.

[Swarmlord]

Tony Snow was, I'm sure, making much better money at Fox -- and that's the point of his critics. If he knew he had college-bound kids, and he knew he was taking a pay cut, then why didn't he put away some money beforehand?

Cripes, how many times have we heard conservatives scold people making $25,000 a year for not managing their money better and living within their means? And Tony is complaining about making six figures?? Whether it's high six figures or low six figures, my response is the same: gimme a friggin' break!! Learn to save money and live within your means, Tony. And stop whining and defending a party that lectures fiscal responsibility to the rest of us!

You are kidding, right?? :eek:


As I pointed out, he's been making millions a year for quite a while. He has been living within his means. He just wants to return to that which has paid him so much better for years. Probably wants the freedom to discuss subjects freely instead of as the mouthpiece of the Whitehouse.

You don't actually think that he lives on that government salary, do you?

[Dont Hurt Me]

Will see Tony as another high paid lobbiest soon making 10 times what he was bribing politicians to his warped view of the world or a Fox guy spewing spin and fiction for the righties of the world.

[IJ Reilly]

His stated reason for leaving was a bit bizarre, verging on the crass. Normally, the generic "to spend more time with my family" is all a public figure needs to say before moving on. I have to wonder if this wasn't a coded attack on someone at the White House.

[OnceUGoMac]

I have to wonder if this wasn't a coded attack on someone at the White House.

Maybe Bush's nickname for him was "Greedy"?:D

[zimv20]

I have to wonder if this wasn't a coded attack on someone at the White House.
is there someone you have in mind?

[Thomas Veil]

As I pointed out, he's been making millions a year for quite a while. He has been living within his means. He just wants to return to that which has paid him so much better for years. Probably wants the freedom to discuss subjects freely instead of as the mouthpiece of the Whitehouse.

You don't actually think that he lives on that government salary, do you?There have been people who've had millions and completely blown them. (*cough cough* michael jackson *cough cough* mike tyson *cough cough*)

But no, you could very well be right -- assuming this is not merely a "cover excuse" for quitting. He may just want more money. But that raises the question: why did you take the friggin' job in the first place? And does your early departure mean you've now altered your loyalty? (I.e., money has now become more important to you than serving this administration for 16 more months?)

But the more I tend to think about it, the more I believe the money story is a cover. He just wants off this sinking ship. If that's true, though, he should've mentioned his health or his family, rather than making himself look bad.

[IJ Reilly]

is there someone you have in mind?

But the more I tend to think about it, the more I believe the money story is a cover. He just wants off this sinking ship. If that's true, though, he should've mentioned his health or his family, rather than making himself look bad.

Or someone else. I don't have any theories for who that might be, but I wonder if Snow was ever a full member of the Bush team. I get the impression that with Bush, you're either inner-circle or you're persona non grata. Snow came to the White House as a minor media celebrity, used to certain level of deference from the people around him. I can imagine any number of ways he might get rubbed up the wrong way if he wasn't getting the kind of respect to which he was accustomed.

[solvs]

The guy was making money hand over fist with his syndicated radio program and columns and taking this job forced him to put all that on hold. Now he wants to go back to it. I don't blame him one bit.

Then why not just say that? The way he phrased it, it sounded even greedier than just wanting to go back to the private sector. Even if it was health related, he gets good coverage from his job, so that doesn't make sense either.

If it was health, and I hope it isn't (as I said in my thread wishing him well when he was sick again... that devolved horribly), he could have just said so and garnered more sympathy than the greed he's now being painted with.

[mactastic]

Or someone else. I don't have any theories for who that might be, but I wonder if Snow was ever a full member of the Bush team. I get the impression that with Bush, you're either inner-circle or you're persona non grata. Snow came to the White House as a minor media celebrity, used to certain level of deference from the people around him. I can imagine any number of ways he might get rubbed up the wrong way if he wasn't getting the kind of respect to which he was accustomed.
That's a good point. When Snow came on board he said he had only done so after being promised the proverbial "seat at the table". I wonder who promised Snow that seat. I think we can be pretty sure Snow never really got to sit there.

[IJ Reilly]

That's a good point. When Snow came on board he said he had only done so after being promised the proverbial "seat at the table". I wonder who promised Snow that seat. I think we can be pretty sure Snow never really got to sit there.

Maybe he should have clear about which table. The restaurant on the corner probably wasn't what he had in mind.

[atszyman]

This gives me an idea...

My wife and I make it pretty well on incomes well below most politicians. We need to open a school for rich politicians where for a year of their income we'll teach them how to live off of our income. The one year program is a "cold turkey" halt, we'd offer a multi-year program for those who can't hack it right off the bat. They could then add that as one of their campaign features that they graduated from the our school and know just how hard it is to make ends meet...

It's not like we'd be asking them to live off of minimum wage. We're definitely upper middle class (probably considered rich by the IRS) but I'd be wary of anyone who couldn't make it a year on our salaries trying to curb government spending and cut costs. How much experience can you have in that if your whole life has been handed to you on a silver platter?

I figure after 5-6 clients we'd have a decent retirement built up... and start complaining that we cant make ends meet on only $168 000/year...

[gauchogolfer]

Let's hope he is.

Who was the sports star a couple years ago who was complaining he couldn't take care of his family on the exorbinant contract he was offered?

Latrell Sprewell turned down a 3 year, $21 million deal from the Minnesota Timberwolves, saying 'I gotta feed my kids'.

He's out of the league, now, by the way. :rolleyes: