At White House Briefing, Polish Replaces Testiness

New York Times ^ | 5/17/06 | ALESSANDRA STANLEY

[conservative in nyc]

Tony Snow said he didn't want to "hug the tar baby," and then he did just that by using the expression in his first televised White House press briefing yesterday.

The tar-covered doll that Br'er Fox used to ensnare Br'er Rabbit in an 1881 Uncle Remus story is used as a metaphor for a sticky situation, but for some it also carries vague racist connotations — it has been used as a derogatory term for a black. In a society where a District of Columbia councilman can be accused of racism simply by using the word "niggardly," most politicians and TV commentators prefer to avoid tar baby references. When a reporter playfully asked him to explain the term, Mr. Snow mumbled that it could be traced to "American lore."

It was a minor snag in an otherwise smooth, polished performance, but it was nevertheless a reminder of just how sticky the job of White House press secretary can be. It's a tripwire assignment even in good times. And Mr. Snow, a former Fox News anchor who was tapped to replace a testy and tapped out Scott McClellan, assumes the post at a time when the president's approval ratings are a personal worst; only Jimmy Carter and Richard M. Nixon were judged as poorly.

Any press secretary taking over the podium for the first time comes off as a substitute teacher trying to take control of a restless high school class. With the president's standing in opinion polls this low, Mr. Snow was more like a stepfather meeting his wife's children for the first time.

Reporters were polite, but not particularly gentle. Mr. Snow handled pointed questions about the immigration bill and the government's phone surveillance program with assurance, even when he had uninformative answers.

--Snip--

[conservative in nyc]

Good grief! Leave it up to the New York Times to bring race into EVERYTHING, when Tony Snow was clearly refering to Br'er Rabbit.

Politicians and commentators shouldn't prefer to avoid using words or phrases just because some mediots are too stupid or too PC to understand what words mean in context.

[conservative in nyc]

A ping for your list!

[bd476]

That's quite a title for what turns out to be a vile hit piece on Tony Snow.

The article is a fine demonstration of incredibly bad taste but then we're not talking about a supermarket tabloid, we're talking about the New York Times.

That was all that needed to be said, after all.

[Cindy]

"...we're talking about the New York Times. That was all that needed to be said, after all."

Ditto.

[Anti-Bubba182]

ALESSANDRA STANLEY is one of the NY Times nastier characters.
As we know that is saying something.

[bd476]

Anti-Bubba182 wrote: "ALESSANDRA STANLEY is one of the NY Times nastier characters. As we know that is saying something."

She is a perfect fit, then. Like the lovely title in the article, the writer has a pleasant sounding name, yet is horrible within.

[pookie18]

I heard that Donna Brazile called April(?), a black press corps member from urban radio, to complain & then April also wrote a story about it.

[conservative in nyc]

I heard that Donna Brazile called April(?), a black press corps member from urban radio, to complain & then April also wrote a story about it.

Urban Radio Network's April Ryan. Yes, that's what Brit Hume reported for Fox News. You'd think the New York Times would find that newsworthy enough to mention it, instead of just repeating the Donna Brazile/DNC talking points of the day verbatim.

[pookie18]

Thanks...couldn't recall her last name. FWIW, I can't recall hearing her ask a non-racial question whenever I catch the press briefing...& I don't have a selective memory...

[jslade]

Donna, Don't throw me in that briar patch!

[pleasedontzotme]

At White House Briefing, Polish Replaces Testiness

Clearly, the President has directed Tony Snow to speak Polish to confuse the reporters, and to help them not to forget Poland.

:)

[YaYa123]

I can't believe this idiot reporter didn't understand the tar baby reference was very clever of Tony. (Jumping into his new job, jumping into the briar patch, get it, Alessandra?)

Did you know you can't rent, buy, or steal the Disney movie, "Song of the South"?

except here:

http://www.hardtofinddvdsonline.com/

Joel Chandler Harris' tales considered toooo politically incorrect.

[YaYa123]

Katie opens the TODAY SHOW by calling Tony Snow's new job "trial by fire".

Snow will be on TODAY in a few minutes, and I'm hoping on all the other morning shows as well.

I'm sure governsleastgovernsbest will give TODAY one of those great daily reports.

[Jimmy Valentine]

"but for some it also carries vague racist connotations"

Those among the "some" would be dolts, intellectual sluggards, ignoramuses, brain dead cretins, and race-baiting hustlers.

The wonderful stories of Joel Chandler Harris have been censored due to P.C. madness, just as the musical by Gershwin, "Porgy and Bess" has.

Regretfully many of these "deconstructionists" inhabit (infest) our so-called better colleges and universities.

[syriacus]

Snow will be on TODAY in a few minutes,

Thanks for mentioning this. I was happy to get to see him talking to Katie.

[mware]

Heads up tony snow interview on Fox & Friends coming up.

[mware]

Tony Snow up right now on Fox & Friends.

[SE Mom]

Listening now...he is terrific:)

[mware]

LOL, they asked him why he called on gregory first.

LOL he said I hate to correct you but I called on him second.

Maybe this is why he called on him?

[mware]

Brian just asked about the tar baby comment.

Tony said you never heard of the Uncle Remus stories.

Brian said, I don't have an Uncle Remus.

LOL Tony actually rolled his eyes and said Thank God I dont have to deal with him every day like you guys do.