Tony Snow as White House Press Secretary

Several news outlets are now reporting that President Bush will name Tony Snow the new White House Press Secretary Wednesday morning. Though rumored in advance, the decision still strikes as an extremely unorthodox one and ought to be cause for some contemplation.

For the record, I am familiar with Mr. Snow, which is only to say that when he was guest-hosting “The O'Reilly Factor” a couple of months ago, I appeared as a guest on the show. Intimate or personal it was not, though we did share a conversation on national television and I suppose there is something to be said for that.

What strikes me as strange, though, is just that: the new White House Press Secretary is a Fox News host. It's never been a secret that the Bush administration – or much of the conservative movement, for that matter – has shown a preference toward the “fair and balanced” network; I just never realized how seriously it was taken.

Sure, TheSmokingGun.com got its hands on one of Dick Cheney's advance travel sheets and we all learned that the Vice President likes having Rupert Murdoch's channel on his hotel television. And sure we all noticed the ease with which various Fox News personalities have gotten interviews with top government officials – including Mr. Bush. But, at the end of the day, I had always assumed that there was still an understood distinction between Fox News and outlets like The New York Times, The Washington Post and even NBC.

Apparently not, because reporters from The Gray Lady, the local daily and network news will now have to work through an anchor best known for appearing alongside Mr. O'Reilly, Sean Hannity, Alan Colmes, Brit Hume and Neil Cavuto.

I don't mean to knock Fox News; I am actually a fan of the news operation and will admit to watching it more than any other channel (with the possible exception of the Food Network). It is insightful, informative and has some of the best punditry on television.

But I suppose it is also truly the sign of a new era when the old guard newspapers and alphabet networks will have to direct their executive branch inquiries to one of Mr. Murdoch's old foot soldiers.

To be sure, this is a great move for the White House. Mr. Snow is charismatic, superficially brings an attractive demeanor and poised voice to the podium, is a heroic cancer survivor and certainly knows his politics.

But wouldn't I love to hear the true thoughts of Bill Keller, Len Downie, Brian Williams and even Ted Turner on this one.