Fox News Channel is reporting that it is a done deal — that Tony Snow will be the new White House Press Spokesman, replacing Scott McClellan. Matt May notes that the opposition cannot help themselves: they are "attacking" Tony by dredging up everything negative he has ever said about President Bush. For instance:

Bush has 'lost control of the federal budget and cannot resist the temptation to stop raiding the public fisc.' [3/17/06]

"George W. Bush and his colleagues have become not merely the custodians of the largest government in the history of humankind, but also exponents of its vigorous expansion.' [3/17/06]

President Bush distilled the essence of his presidency in this year's State of the Union Address: brilliant foreign policy and listless domestic policy.' [2/3/06]

"George Bush has become something of an embarrassment.' [11/11/05]

Bush 'has a habit of singing from the Political Correctness hymnal.' [10/7/05]

'No president has looked this impotent this long when it comes to defending presidential powers and prerogatives.' [9/30/05]

Matt Comments:

How funny. One was under the impression that the President lives in a bubble, surrounded only by sychophants who never disagree with him and that to disagree with the President was tatamount to disloyalty. One was also under the definite impression that Fox News is nothing more than a satellite of the West Wing, pronouncing everything the Bush White House does as excellent and visionary, never ever criticizing him.

He's right. The left is doing a service to Tony by pointing out how independent he (and FNC) can be. They won't be able to help themselves using these and other quotes, though.

Tony Snow is both smarter and nicer than most of the White House Press Corps. He can think on his feet, and he is as eloquent and fluid and the President he serves is not. A new day is dawning in the White House communications operation.

Thomas Lifson   4 26 06