By DPA
Washington : The chief White House spokesman Tony Snow has indicated he will probably resign before his boss, US President George W. Bush, leaves office in January 2009, media reports said.
Contacted by CNN Friday, Snow said he was not making any announcement. But he told conservative talk-show host Hugh Hewitt earlier this week that financial reasons could prompt him to leave before Bush’s presidency ends.
He did not mention his colon and liver cancer as a factor in a possible departure.
CNN quoted unnamed sources inside and outside the Bush administration as saying he could depart as early as next month.
“I’m not going to be able to go the distance, but that’s primarily for financial reasons.” Snow was quoted as saying on the radio show. “I’ve told people when my money runs out, then I’ve got to go.”
Snow earned considerably more at his former employer, Fox News, than the $168,000 a year he is reported to earn as chief White House spokesman.
Snow, 52, was diagnosed with colon cancer in 2005 and underwent six months of chemotherapy. Earlier this year, he announced the cancer had spread to his liver.
Snow’s departure would be the latest in a string of resignations as Bush enters his last year in office. Earlier this week, Karl Rove, Bush’s chief political advisor and the architect of his two hard-fought election victories, announced he would leave Aug 31.
Another leading Republican – Congressman Dennis Hastert – said Friday he would retire from the political scene by January 2009, and would not seek re-election in 2008.