Liberal Talk Radio

The Times reports that Fox News’ Tony Snow is in “serious negotiations” with the White House to be the Bush Administration’s new press secretary:

. . . Republicans said that Tony Snow, a commentator for Fox News and a former speechwriter for Mr. Bush’s father, was in negotiations for the job of White House press secretary. Mr. Snow would replace Scott McClellan, who announced Wednesday that he was resigning.

. . .

Republicans said [new White House chief of staff Josh] Bolten has been focused on finding a new White House press secretary with good contacts in the Washington news media and a deep understanding of how they work.

Mr. Snow is the host of his own radio program and comes from the news operation that flashes from every television in the West Wing.

While it’s admittedly strange to have such a high-profile news personality effectively becoming part of the government that he once covered (it’s George Stephanopoulos in reverse, which is the usual direction these guys take), and sort of “interesting” in that Robert Greenwald sort of way, I actually think it’s kind of a brilliant f**k you to the press corps. It also shows a sense of humor on the part of the Bush Administration. And probably a sense of post-modern deliciousness (assuming any of them — or us! — knows what that really means).

“Serious negotiations” with Tony Snow is a double-barreled two-fingered bird, while at same time backing up and wagging one’s tongue like you’re Gene Simmons. To me, it seems almost as if the White House is acknowledging that their the dance with the press — the tedious gaggles, the combativeness, Helen Thomas, etc. — is relegated entirely to a weird alternate universe of the “media”. Don’t like the way we treat all you all? Well now you can spend your time with Tony F**king Snow, Bitches! You’re trapped with Rupert Murdoch in a self-contained classroom! Basically, it will now officially become the debating club that it devolved to over the years (many years, probably — and I bet C.J. Cregg would agree). And here’s the big they’re-so-much-smarter-than-you point here: they know what most Americans don’t even know that they know — that this is how most of us understand the media in the first place.

Man, these m***********s are smart!