With U.S. Presidential spokesperson Tony Snow in the background because of a recurrence of cancer, his deputy, Dana Perino, has stepped up to the podium.

At 34, the former Capitol Hill aide has been thrust into what can be a harsh spotlight, but for now seems to be coping without too much squinting. While she lacks Snow’s practiced ease before the cameras, Perino projects an earnest, ever-polite demeanor, like an airline ticket agent who keeps smiling as irate customers demand to know why their flight has been canceled. …

Perino has been flooded with calls of support, including one, she says, from Education Secretary Margaret Spellings, who told her: “Put your big-girl panties on.”

hat/tip to FedBlog for the pointer to the WPost article.

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