David Gregory (journalist)
David Gregory | |
|---|---|
 David Gregory at NLCS Game 4 in October 2009. | |
| Born | David Michael Gregory August 24, 1970 |
| Occupation | Television journalist |
| Notable credit(s) | Meet the Press (2008–) NBC News Chief White House Correspondent (2001–2008) |
| Spouse | Beth Wilkinson (2000–present) |
David Michael Gregory[1] (born August 24, 1970) is an American television journalist, and moderator of NBC News' Sunday morning talk show Meet the Press.[2]
Early life
Gregory was born in Los Angeles, California, the son of Carolyn Surtees, an account manager, and Don Gregory, a film and theatrical producer.[1] He was raised in his father's Jewish religion, and remains a practicing Jew.[3]
Gregory graduated from American University in 1992. While there, he worked for the campus television station, ATV, and received a degree in international studies from the School of International Service. Gregory was named the School of International Service's alumnus of the year in 2005 and sits on the Dean's Advisory Council.[4][5]
Journalism career
Early career
Gregory began his journalism career at the age of 18 as a summer reporter for KGUN-TV in Tucson, Arizona.
Today
Gregory has been the substitute co-anchor of Weekend Today, filling in for Lester Holt on that program since 2003. He has filled in for Matt Lauer on Today from 2005 to the present. Gregory was also the anchor of News Chat, Crosstalk NBC, and Newsfront on MSNBC from 1998 to 2000.
NBC Nightly News
Gregory has also filled in on NBC News Weekend Nightly News and NBC Nightly News since 2005.
Imus in the Morning
Gregory also filled the Imus in the Morning time slot on MSNBC after the Don Imus controversy involving the Rutgers University basketball team while MSNBC searched for a permanent host. He served as a guest host in the morning time slot for MSNBC (while also being simulcast on WFAN) for one week in May. The morning radio program was known as Gregory Live.
There is irony to David Gregory filling in for Imus over the racist remark Imus made involving the Rutgers University women's basketball team as Gregory very recently became embrollied in his own racist controversy involving a comment about Herman Cain. In a comment about Herman Cain's harrassment allegations, Gregory implied that the GOP didn't have a "Grand Wizard" in the party to stop Cain. A Grand Wizard can be taken to mean a KKK leader. Gregory has since apologized for the comment but it is not being accepted by many GOP party members.
Race for the White House/1600 Pennsylvania Avenue
From March 17, 2008, through December 5, 2008, Gregory hosted a show on MSNBC weekday evenings, which replaced Tucker Carlson's Tucker.[6] The show was called Race for the White House until the conclusion of the 2008 U.S. Presidential election. From November 5, 2008, forward the show became known as 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue.[7] David Shuster was named as the new host for 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue starting with the December 15, 2008 show.
MSNBC anchor for election coverage in 2008
Due to internal fighting among the staff at MSNBC, Gregory was appointed as anchor on MSNBC during the presidential debates and the 2008 election.[8][9][10][11] On November 4–5, he teamed with Rachel Maddow, Eugene Robinson, Chris Matthews and Keith Olbermann as commentators on the presidential election.
Meet the Press
On December 7, 2008, it was formally announced that Gregory would be the full-time moderator of Meet the Press, with his first episode as official moderator being December 14, 2008.[2] This was to be the last episode hosted by interim moderator Tom Brokaw.
In the wake of South Carolina Governor Mark Sanford's admission that he travelled to Argentina to visit his lover during June 2009, The Post and Courier obtained cell phone records and emails in response to a request under the state Freedom of Information Act.[12] Among the emails were numerous invitations for Sanford to appear on various television shows, including emails from David Gregory.[12] Gregory told Sanford's press secretary "You know he will get a fair shake from me and coming on MTP puts all of this to rest" and "coming on Meet The Press allows you to frame the conversation how you really want to...and then move on."[13][14] Gregory later denied offering Sanford a "friendly forum", but rather a "fair forum", and stated: "I meant my forum allows him to have the time to discuss the situation in a fullsome way, to say what he wants and move on.".[15][16]
Relationship with the Bush White House
Gregory was assigned by NBC to the press corps covering George W. Bush when he ran for president in 2000. During the campaign, Bush threw a party for Gregory's 30th birthday, complete with cake, on the campaign plane.[17] Bush has nicknamed Gregory "Stretch" because of his height (6'5"),[18] and also "Dancing Man," for Gregory's occasional propensity to display his dance moves.[19]
After the election, Gregory became a White House correspondent for NBC. The Media Research Center named him 'Best White House Correspondent' for his coverage of Bush's first 100 days.[20] Gregory held this position until taking the Meet the Press job in December 2008. Chuck Todd was named to replace him as White House correspondent on December 18, 2008.
It has been mentioned that Michael Chertoff, a Bush appointee, attended a baby shower for his children.[21]
He also participated with Karl Rove, Bush's chief advisor, in a skit for the Radio and Television Correspondents' Association Dinner in Washington DC.[22]
Press Secretary conflicts
Gregory's interaction with Bush's Press Secretaries was contentious at times, garnering media attention in several instances. Numerous commentators have used these incidents to characterize Gregory's reportage as 'proof' of the news media's left-wing bias.[21][23] Gregory has told Howard Kurtz that "it's easy to divert attention against a familiar whipping boy" and that "I provide fodder for critics who say, 'Aha, they're out of control.'"[21]
On January 23, 2009, The Daily Beast columnist Ana Marie Cox stated that President Barack Obama still has not discovered "this administration's David Gregory". She used Gregory as a metaphor for a White House foil, and she described this as a figure that could be interpreted as either "tough, news-oriented, and no-nonsense or showy, superficial, and self-indulgent".[24]
Personal life
Since June 2000, Gregory has been married to former federal prosecutor and former Fannie Mae executive vice president, general counsel and corporate secretary, Beth Wilkinson.[1] They met while Gregory was covering the Oklahoma City bombing as a reporter and Wilkinson was serving as prosecutor on the case.[21] The couple has a son and twins — one daughter and one son.
References
- ^ a b c "Weddings: Beth Wilkinson, David Gregory". New York Times. June 11, 2000.
- ^ a b "NBC names David Gregory host of 'Meet the Press'". Associated Press. December 7, 2008.
- ^ "Selling Judaism 101UJC explores ways to reach the unaffiliated". Washingtonjewishweek.com. 2008-03-19. Retrieved 2010-07-31.
- ^ "About - ATV History". ATV American University.
- ^ "David Gregory: NBC News Chief White House Correspondent and Host, MSNBC's 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue". MSNBC.
- ^ Steinberg, Jacques (March 11, 2008). "At MSNBC, 'Tucker' Is Out, and David Gregory Is In". The New York Times.
- ^ "With Race Nearly Over, Gregory's Show Gets New Name". Media Bistro. November 3, 2008.
- ^ Bauder, David (September 8, 2008). "MSNBC: Olbermann, Matthews won't anchor political coverage". USA Today.
- ^ Stelter, Brian (September 8, 2008). "MSNBC Takes Incendiary Hosts From Anchor Seat". New York Times.
- ^ "MSNBC Infighting Boils Over". The Huffington Post. August 28, 2008.
- ^ Kurtz, Howard (September 8, 2008). "MSNBC Drops Olbermann, Matthews as News Anchors". Washington Post.
- ^ a b "The Post and Courier - Staff fielded requests from media giants - Charleston SC". postandcourier.com. 2009-07-14. Retrieved 2010-07-31.
- ^ Roth, Zachary (2009-07-17). "NBC's Gregory to Sanford's Office: "Meet The Press Allows You To Frame The Conversation As You Really Want" | TPMMuckraker". Tpmmuckraker.talkingpointsmemo.com. Retrieved 2010-07-31.
- ^ http://media.charleston.net/2009/pdf/govstaffemails_0713009.pdf
- ^ Roth, Zachary (2009-07-21). "NBC's Gregory: "I Wasn't Promising A Friendly Forum" For Sanford | TPMMuckraker". Tpmmuckraker.talkingpointsmemo.com. Retrieved 2010-07-31.
- ^ Blue, Big (2009-07-18). "Exclusive: David Gregory Addresses Bias in Sanford Scandal". Daily Kos. Retrieved 2010-07-31.
- ^ "Gregory to host 'Meet the Press'". 2008-12-02.
{{cite news}}: Unknown parameter|source=ignored (help) - ^ "NBC's David Gregory Accidentally Reveals His George Bush Impression". The Huffington Post. October 14, 2006.
- ^ "Stretch vs. Dancing Man: The Many Faces of David Gregory". Politico.com. 2 December 2008.
- ^ "Media Research Award". Media Research Center. Retrieved August 24, 2009.
- ^ a b c d Kurtz, Howard (March 13, 2006). "Retorting From The White House David Gregory Is 6-5, but He Can Be A Little Short. Just Ask Scott McClellan". The Washington Post. Retrieved August 24, 2009.
- ^ Sklar, Rachel (March 29, 2007). "Correspondents Dinner: Rapping Rove, Burping Brian, and "What We Call The News"". The Huffington Post.
- ^ O'Reilly, Bill (December 8, 2006). "Who Is Looking Out for You as Far as Iraq Is Concerned?". The O'Reilly Factor. FOXNews.com. Retrieved August 24, 2009.
- ^ Ana Marie Cox (January 23, 2009). "Game On! Obama's Clash With The White House Press Corps". The Daily Beast. Retrieved August 24, 2009.
Further reading
- "Media Capital". Washington Life Magazine. June 2006.
- Gillette, Felix (April 30, 2008). "David Gregory Understatement: 'Story Of The Bush Administration Has Really Taken A Dip'". New York Observer.
{{cite news}}: Unknown parameter|coauthors=ignored (|author=suggested) (help) - Gillette, Felix (July 22, 2008). "David Gregory: NBC's Lame-Duck?". The New York Observer.