Robert Anthony Snow, an American political commentator who once described George W. Bush as "impotent" and later worked for him as White House Press Secretary, died of cancer on 12 July, 2008. He was 53.

In addition to his work for the White House Mr Snow was best known as a TV news anchor, radio host and newspaper journalist.

He was a regular guest host for the Fox News Channel and later worked for CNN as a political commentator. He was survived by his wife Jill Ellen Walker, who he married in 1987, and their three children.

Mr Snow was born in Berea, Kentucky, on July 1, 1955. He was raised in Cincinnati, Ohio. His father, Jim, was a social studies teacher and worked at Princeton High School, from which Robert graduated.

His mother, who had been a nurse, died of colon cancer in 1973 when he was 17. After graduating from school Mr Snow attended Davidson College and studied philosophy.

Mr Snow began his journalism career in 1979. He wrote for numerous newspapers until 1987 when he joined The Washington Times where he stayed until 1991. From 1994 to 2000 he was a political columnist for USA Today. He also wrote a syndicated column from 1993 to 2000 which appeared in more than 200 newspapers nationwide. As his reputation as a political commentator grew he appeared on television and radio worldwide including shows such as Crossfire and Good Morning America.

In 1991 he took a break from journalism to work in the White House for President George Bush. He was employed as chief speechwriter then as Deputy Assistant to the President for Media Affairs. He returned to journalism is 1994 as a columnist before becoming the host on Fox News Sunday. He received his own show, the Tony Snow Show, on Fox News Radio which began in 2003 and ran until he rejoined the White House Staff as Press Secretary in April 2006.

Mr Snow replaced Scott McClellan in the George W. Bush administration. His appointment was initially criticized because he had previously made derogatory comments about President Bush. In 2005 Mr Snow said "George Bush has become something of an embarrassment." He also said in reference to the president’s many public gaffes: "The English language has become a minefield for the man." Also in 2005 he commented: "No president has looked this impotent this long."

The President acknowledged this when announcing his appointment and expressing admiration that Mr Snow was not afraid to speak his mind or express his own opinions.

Mr Snow began his press duties in May 2006 and immediately found himself embroiled in controversy. President Bush had recently commuted the prison sentence of Vice Presidential aide Irving Lewis Libby, who had been sentenced to 30 months in prison for obstruction of justice.

The actions of President Bush were seen as hypocritical because he had once said that he would fire any member of staff convicted of a crime. Mr Snow was asked whether the commutation of Libby’s sentence was a politically motivated move, a claim which he denied. Mr Snow was accused of insulting the intelligence of the assembled journalists.

Mr Snow left his position as White House Press Secretary because he refused to commit to the role until the end of President Bush’s second term in office. His final press briefing was in September 2007 when he said that he would miss the duties involved. He said: "I love these briefings." After he left the White House he joined CNN as a political commentator.

In February 2005 Mr Snow was diagnosed with colon cancer. After surgery he returned to work as a broadcaster before taking the press secretary job. However in March 2007 he returned to hospital for further treatment. His deteriorating condition and continuing medical treatment forced Mr Snow to take lengthy absences from his position.

He eventually lost his battle with cancer after it was discovered that it had spread to his liver. He was taken to Georgetown University Hospital where he remained until he died. Upon hearing the news of Mr Snow’s death President George W. Bush expressed his sympathy while paying him the utmost respect for his ability to bring "a certain civility to this very contentious job."