Former Bush press secretary Tony Snow joins CNN team

NEW YORK -- Former White House press secretary Tony Snow has joined CNN as a conservative commentator.

Snow's new duties return him to the world of punditry he occupied for 10 years at CNN rival Fox News Channel. In addition, he was host of Fox broadcasting's "Fox News Sunday."

Before joining Fox, Snow was a substitute co-host for CNN's "Crossfire."

"In the White House, Tony brought a remarkably human touch to the discussion of public policy, which he will continue to do [at CNN]," said CNN U.S. president Jon Klein in a statement Monday.

Snow, 52, was named White House press secretary in April 2006.

In 2005, Snow had his colon removed and underwent six months of chemotherapy after being diagnosed with cancer. In March 2007, he underwent surgery to remove a growth in his abdominal area. Doctors determined it was a recurrence of his cancer.

After surgery and a five-week absence, he returned to the White House and underwent chemotherapy. He announced his resignation as press secretary last August. Cancer was not a factor in his departure, he said at the time, explaining that he needed to earn more than his $168,000 White House salary. "I ran out of money," said Snow, the father of three.

Snow has also been a newspaper writer, radio host and columnist. He worked in the White House under Bush's father as a speechwriting director.