It's Not What Snow Doesn't Say, It's How He Doesn't Say It

"I don't have an answer for you, Lester," Snow reaffirmed.

Far riskier were Snow's put-downs of reporters asking timely questions. When USA Today's David Jackson asked why he wouldn't talk about the NSA's telephone program, Snow was icy: "Because it's inappropriate."

He cut down CNN's Suzanne Malveaux, who inquired whether Bush agreed that the immigration debate had taken on racist overtones. "I think I will not try to improve on the president's words from today" was the spokesman's entire answer. Similarly, when American Urban Radio's April Ryan inquired about racial tensions caused by a proposed guest-worker program, Snow wondered "how on earth" that could be the case.

But if some of his questioners were left seething, others seemed infected by sentimentality. "Hi, Tony, welcome!" chirped USA Radio's Connie Lawn. "Nice. Nice and zippy." This produced groans from her colleagues.

The groans turned to cries of disgust when WTOP radio's Ivan Scott prefaced his question by pointing to another journalist in the room and saying, "The beautiful woman in the yellow blouse with the Spanish accent is my wife."

"Oh, God," somebody called out.

With the questioners embarrassing themselves, Snow had an easy time of it. Dressed in a loud red tie and pinstriped suit, he took sips of coffee from a cup emblazoned with the presidential seal. He patiently took questions from all comers. Each of his gestures produced a symphony of shutter clicks, while 16 television cameras vied for the best angle.

"I feel so loved," he exclaimed. It's a feeling he should savor in the days ahead.