Reports are that Tony Snow will be an inner circle adviser on President Bush’s policies.  Here’s one place he can make his immediate mark — the President’s Saturday night remarks to the White House Correspondents Association Dinner.  Otherwise known as the President’s annual comedy routine.

Here are five specific steps Tony can take to let his influence be known in front of 3,000 reporters:

1)  Tear up whatever speech has already been written.  Even if the White House paid a fortune  to some aging gagster who still pitches “Impeach Earl Warren” jokes for a living.  Doesn’t matter.  Chances are the jokes aren’t funny.  Tony is.  Tony Snow knows funny.  He’s done stand-up comedy.  And if you’re preparing the President to be the opening act for Stephen Colbert — you need funny, not quaint.

2)  Speaking of Stephen Colbert, Tony should urge the President to steal all the premises Colbert might use.  Like truthiness.  The President should riff on truthiness.  Even better, pronounce Colbert’s name wrong — give it a hard a “T” sound.  Take Colbert’s  joke, and trump it.

3)  Can the self-deprecation.  No more.  It’s been a staple of President Bush’s previous appearances to the White House Corrrespondents.  It’s old, tired, and should be retired.  If President Bush’s poll  ratings are low, surely the media doesn’t score much higher.  Make pointed jabs at them, not at himself.  The Washington Post reports the White House wants to “be more aggressive in engaging with the news media.”  Saturday night will be a great opportunity to do so — with a smile and a chuckle.

4)  And while Tony’s ripping up bits that don’t work, he should be bold.  He should demand, “Read My Lips: No New Slide Shows.”  Enough.  No more easy way out.  No comedy crutches.  The slide shows don’t work for the audience watching on C-SPAN — too confusing, too dark, poorly-timed.  Tony’s from TV.  Know the medium, what works and what doesn’t.  Don’t point the camera away from the President.  Jokes only.

5)  No cameos.  Last year, the First Lady stole the show when she grabbed the microphone and did a hilarious bit.  It worked for her, but not necessarily for the President.  This year, Tony Snow should make sure the President doesn’t cede the podium to anyone. He paid for that microphone, dearly.

Finally, in that ageless bit of advice comedians follow, make sure the microphone is turned to “funny.”