WASHINGTON — Tony Blankley, a conservative author and commentator who served as press secretary to Newt Gingrich during the 1990s, when Republicans took control of Congress, died of stomach cancer Saturday.
In his long career as a political operative and pundit, his most visible role was as a spokesman for and adviser to Gingrich from 1990 to 1997. Earlier, Blankley spent six years in the Reagan administration in a variety of positions, including speechwriter and senior policy analyst.
From 2002 to 2007, he served as editorial-page editor of The Washington Times. In recent years, he also wrote a syndicated newspaper column and provided political commentary for CNN, NBC and NPR.
“Tony was a remarkable life force. Tony came to work with me when I was the House Republican whip. He helped develop and communicate the Contract With America. He was a wonderful friend, a sage adviser and a man who loved life,” Gingrich said Sunday.
Denver Post wire services
