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David Gregory (journalist)
Encyclopedia
David Michael Gregory is an American
television journalist, and moderator of NBC News
' Sunday morning talk show Meet the Press
.
, California
, the son of Carolyn Surtees, an account manager, and Don Gregory, a film and theatrical producer. He was raised in his father's Jewish
religion, and remains a practicing Jew.
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.
.
, 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.
and NBC Nightly News
since 2005.
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.
's Tucker
. 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. David Shuster
was named as the new host for 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue starting with the December 15, 2008 show.
, Eugene Robinson
, Chris Matthews
and Keith Olbermann
as commentators on the presidential election
.
, with his first episode as official moderator being December 14, 2008. 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. Among the emails were numerous invitations for Sanford to appear on various television shows, including emails from David Gregory. 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." 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.".
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. Bush has nicknamed Gregory "Stretch" because of his height (6'5"), and also "Dancing Man," for Gregory's occasional propensity to display his dance moves.
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. 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.
He also participated with Karl Rove
, Bush's chief advisor, in a skit for the Radio and Television Correspondents' Association
Dinner in Washington DC.
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
. 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.'"
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".
. They met while Gregory was covering the Oklahoma City bombing
as a reporter and Wilkinson was serving as prosecutor on the case. The couple has a son and twins — one daughter and one son.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
television journalist, and moderator of NBC News
NBC News
NBC News is the news division of American television network NBC. It first started broadcasting in February 21, 1940. NBC Nightly News has aired from Studio 3B, located on floors 3 of the NBC Studios is the headquarters of the GE Building forms the centerpiece of 30th Rockefeller Center it is...
' Sunday morning talk show Meet the Press
Meet the Press
Meet the Press is a weekly American television news/interview program produced by NBC. It is the longest-running television series in American broadcasting history, despite bearing little resemblance to the original format of the program seen in its television debut on November 6, 1947. It has been...
.
Early life
Gregory was born in Los AngelesLos Ángeles
Los Ángeles is the capital of the province of Biobío, in the commune of the same name, in Region VIII , in the center-south of Chile. It is located between the Laja and Biobío rivers. The population is 123,445 inhabitants...
, California
California
California is a state located on the West Coast of the United States. It is by far the most populous U.S. state, and the third-largest by land area...
, the son of Carolyn Surtees, an account manager, and Don Gregory, a film and theatrical producer. He was raised in his father's Jewish
Judaism
Judaism ) is the "religion, philosophy, and way of life" of the Jewish people...
religion, and remains a practicing Jew.
Gregory graduated from American University
American University
American University is a private, Methodist, liberal arts, and research university in Washington, D.C. The university was chartered by an Act of Congress on December 5, 1892 as "The American University", which was approved by President Benjamin Harrison on February 24, 1893...
in 1992. While there, he worked for the campus television station, ATV, and received a degree in international studies
International studies
International Studies generally refers to the specific University Degrees and courses which are concerned with the study of ‘the major political, economic, social, cultural and sacral issues that dominate the international agenda’...
from the School of International Service
School of International Service
The School of International Service is American University's school of advanced international study in the areas of international politics, international communication, development, international economic relations, peace and conflict resolution, global environmental politics, and U.S...
. Gregory was named the School of International Service's alumnus of the year in 2005 and sits on the Dean's Advisory Council.
Early career
Gregory began his journalism career at the age of 18 as a summer reporter for KGUN-TV in Tucson, ArizonaTucson, Arizona
Tucson is a city in and the county seat of Pima County, Arizona, United States. The city is located 118 miles southeast of Phoenix and 60 miles north of the U.S.-Mexico border. The 2010 United States Census puts the city's population at 520,116 with a metropolitan area population at 1,020,200...
.
Today
Gregory has been the substitute co-anchor of Weekend TodayWeekend Today
Weekend Today is the unofficial title of the weekend editions of Today, an American morning news and talk show which airs daily on NBC.-History:...
, filling in for Lester Holt on that program since 2003. He has filled in for Matt Lauer
Matt Lauer
Matthew Todd "Matt" Lauer . is an American television journalist best known as the host of NBC's The Today Show since 1997. He was previously a news anchor in New York and a local talk-show host in Boston, Philadelphia, Providence and Richmond...
on Today from 2005 to the present. Gregory was also the anchor of News Chat, Crosstalk NBC, and Newsfront
Newsfront
Newsfront is a 1978 Australian drama film starring Bill Hunter, Wendy Hughes, and Bryan Brown, directed by Phillip Noyce. The screenplay is written by David Elfick, Bob Ellis, Philippe Mora, and Phillip Noyce. The original music score is composed by William Motzing...
on MSNBC from 1998 to 2000.
NBC Nightly News
Gregory has also filled in on NBC News Weekend Nightly NewsNBC Nightly News
NBC Nightly News is the flagship daily evening television news program for NBC News and broadcasts. NBC Nightly News has aired from Studio 3B, located on floors 3 of the NBC Studios is the headquarters of the GE Building forms the centerpiece of 30th Rockefeller Center it is located in the center...
and NBC Nightly News
NBC Nightly News
NBC Nightly News is the flagship daily evening television news program for NBC News and broadcasts. NBC Nightly News has aired from Studio 3B, located on floors 3 of the NBC Studios is the headquarters of the GE Building forms the centerpiece of 30th Rockefeller Center it is located in the center...
since 2005.
Imus in the Morning
Gregory also filled the Imus in the MorningImus in the Morning
Imus in the Morning is an American radio show hosted by Don Imus on Cumulus Media Networks , and simulcast for television on Fox Business Network....
time slot on MSNBC
MSNBC
MSNBC is a cable news channel based in the United States available in the US, Germany , South Africa, the Middle East and Canada...
after the Don Imus
Don Imus
John Donald "Don" Imus, Jr. is an American radio host, humorist, philanthropist and writer. His nationally-syndicated talk show, Imus in the Morning, is broadcast throughout the United States by Citadel Media and relayed on television by the Fox Business Network.-Personal life:Imus was born in...
controversy involving the Rutgers University
Rutgers University
Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey , is the largest institution for higher education in New Jersey, United States. It was originally chartered as Queen's College in 1766. It is the eighth-oldest college in the United States and one of the nine Colonial colleges founded before the American...
basketball team while MSNBC
MSNBC
MSNBC is a cable news channel based in the United States available in the US, Germany , South Africa, the Middle East and Canada...
searched for a permanent host. He served as a guest host in the morning time slot for MSNBC
MSNBC
MSNBC is a cable news channel based in the United States available in the US, Germany , South Africa, the Middle East and Canada...
(while also being simulcast on WFAN
WFAN
WFAN , also known as "Sports Radio 66" or "The FAN", is a radio station in New York City. The station broadcasts on a clear channel and is owned by CBS Radio...
) for one week in May. The morning radio program was known as Gregory Live.
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 CarlsonTucker Carlson
Tucker Swanson McNear Carlson is an American political news correspondent and conservative commentator for the Fox News Channel...
's Tucker
Tucker (television program)
Tucker is an American television program on MSNBC that focused on politics, hosted by Tucker Carlson. The show aired from June 6, 2005–March 14, 2008....
. The show was called Race for the White House
Race for the White House
1600 Pennsylvania Avenue is an MSNBC television program hosted by David Shuster that ended in 2009. The show is a panel show based around the discussion of news and trends in American politics among the panelists and anchor...
until the conclusion of the 2008 U.S. Presidential election. From November 5, 2008, forward the show became known as 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue. David Shuster
David Shuster
David Martin Shuster is an American television journalist who has been an anchor for MSNBC and who has also worked for Fox News and CNN. He anchored MSNBC Live weekdays from 10-11am and 3-4pm ET and filled in for Keith Olbermann, Chris Matthews, Ed Schultz and Rachel Maddow on their respective shows...
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. On November 4–5, he teamed with Rachel MaddowRachel Maddow
Rachel Anne Maddow is an American television host and political commentator. Maddow hosts a nightly television show, The Rachel Maddow Show, on MSNBC. Her syndicated talk radio program, The Rachel Maddow Show, aired on Air America Radio...
, Eugene Robinson
Eugene Robinson (journalist)
Eugene Harold Robinson is an American Pulitzer Prize-winning newspaper columnist and former assistant managing editor for The Washington Post. His columns are syndicated by The Washington Post Writers Group...
, Chris Matthews
Chris Matthews
Christopher John "Chris" Matthews is an American news anchor and political commentator, known for his nightly hour-long talk show, Hardball with Chris Matthews, which is televised on the American cable television channel MSNBC...
and Keith Olbermann
Keith Olbermann
Keith Theodore Olbermann is an American political commentator and writer. He has been the chief news officer of the Current TV network and the host of Current TV's weeknight political commentary program, Countdown with Keith Olbermann, since June 20, 2011...
as commentators on the presidential election
United States presidential election, 2008
The United States presidential election of 2008 was the 56th quadrennial presidential election. It was held on November 4, 2008. Democrat Barack Obama, then the junior United States Senator from Illinois, defeated Republican John McCain, the senior U.S. Senator from Arizona. Obama received 365...
.
Meet the Press
On December 7, 2008, it was formally announced that Gregory would be the full-time moderator of Meet the PressMeet the Press
Meet the Press is a weekly American television news/interview program produced by NBC. It is the longest-running television series in American broadcasting history, despite bearing little resemblance to the original format of the program seen in its television debut on November 6, 1947. It has been...
, with his first episode as official moderator being December 14, 2008. This was to be the last episode hosted by interim moderator Tom Brokaw
Tom Brokaw
Thomas John "Tom" Brokaw is an American television journalist and author best known as the anchor and managing editor of NBC Nightly News from 1982 to 2004. He is the author of The Greatest Generation and other books and the recipient of numerous awards and honors...
.
In the wake of South Carolina
South Carolina
South Carolina is a state in the Deep South of the United States that borders Georgia to the south, North Carolina to the north, and the Atlantic Ocean to the east. Originally part of the Province of Carolina, the Province of South Carolina was one of the 13 colonies that declared independence...
Governor Mark Sanford
Mark Sanford
Marshall Clement "Mark" Sanford Jr. is an American politician from South Carolina, who was the 115th Governor of South Carolina from 2003 to 2011....
's admission that he travelled to Argentina to visit his lover
Mark Sanford disappearance and extramarital affair
For six days in June 2009, South Carolina Governor Mark Sanford's whereabouts were unknown and there was media coverage of what was described as his disappearance. Subsequently the Governor reappeared and reported that he had been in Argentina with a woman with whom he was having an extramarital...
during June 2009, The Post and Courier
The Post and Courier
Charleston's The Post and Courier is one of the oldest daily newspapers in the South and the eighth oldest newspaper still in publication in the United States. It is published in Charleston, South Carolina. It traces its ancestry to three newspapers, the Charleston Courier, founded in 1803, the...
obtained cell phone records and emails in response to a request under the state Freedom of Information Act. Among the emails were numerous invitations for Sanford to appear on various television shows, including emails from David Gregory. 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." 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.".
Relationship with the Bush White House
Gregory was assigned by NBC to the press corps covering George W. BushGeorge W. Bush
George Walker Bush is an American politician who served as the 43rd President of the United States, from 2001 to 2009. Before that, he was the 46th Governor of Texas, having served from 1995 to 2000....
when he ran for president in 2000
United States presidential election, 2000
The United States presidential election of 2000 was a contest between Republican candidate George W. Bush, then-governor of Texas and son of former president George H. W. Bush , and Democratic candidate Al Gore, then-Vice President....
. During the campaign, Bush threw a party for Gregory's 30th birthday, complete with cake, on the campaign plane. Bush has nicknamed Gregory "Stretch" because of his height (6'5"), and also "Dancing Man," for Gregory's occasional propensity to display his dance moves.
After the election, Gregory became a White House correspondent for NBC. The Media Research Center
Media Research Center
The Media Research Center is a content analysis organization based in Alexandria, Virginia, founded in 1987 by conservative activist L. Brent Bozell III...
named him 'Best White House Correspondent' for his coverage of Bush's first 100 days. Gregory held this position until taking the Meet the Press job in December 2008. Chuck Todd
Chuck Todd
Charles David “Chuck” Todd is an American journalist, Chief White House Correspondent and political director for NBC News, and contributing editor to Meet the Press...
was named to replace him as White House correspondent on December 18, 2008.
It has been mentioned that Michael Chertoff
Michael Chertoff
Michael Chertoff was the second United States Secretary of Homeland Security under President George W. Bush and co-author of the USA PATRIOT Act. He previously served as a judge on the United States Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit, as a federal prosecutor, and as assistant U.S. Attorney...
, a Bush appointee, attended a baby shower for his children.
He also participated with Karl Rove
Karl Rove
Karl Christian Rove was Senior Advisor and Deputy Chief of Staff to former President George W. Bush until Rove's resignation on August 31, 2007. He has headed the Office of Political Affairs, the Office of Public Liaison, and the White House Office of Strategic Initiatives...
, Bush's chief advisor, in a skit for the Radio and Television Correspondents' Association
Radio and Television Correspondents' Association
The Radio and Television Correspondents Association is an American journalism group best known for holding an annual dinner in Washington, D.C., not to be confused with the higher profile White House Correspondents' Association Dinner.-Officers:...
Dinner in Washington DC.
Press Secretary conflicts
Gregory's interaction with Bush's Press SecretariesWhite House Press Secretary
The White House Press Secretary is a senior White House official whose primary responsibility is to act as spokesperson for the government administration....
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
Media bias
Media bias refers to the bias of journalists and news producers within the mass media in the selection of events and stories that are reported and how they are covered. The term "media bias" implies a pervasive or widespread bias contravening the standards of journalism, rather than the...
. Gregory has told Howard Kurtz
Howard Kurtz
Howard "Howie" Alan Kurtz is an American journalist and author with a special focus on the media. He is host of CNN's Reliable Sources program, and Washington bureau chief for The Daily Beast. He is the former media writer for The Washington Post. He has written five books about the media...
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.'"
On January 23, 2009, The Daily Beast
The Daily Beast
The Daily Beast is an American news reporting and opinion website founded and published by Tina Brown, former editor of Vanity Fair and The New Yorker as well as the short-lived Talk Magazine. The Daily Beast was launched on October 6, 2008, and is owned by IAC...
columnist Ana Marie Cox
Ana Marie Cox
Ana Marie Cox is an American author and blogger. The founding editor of the political blog Wonkette, she is currently the Washington correspondent for GQ and is The Guardian's lead blogger on US politics. She previously worked at Air America Media.-Early life:Cox was born in San Juan, Puerto Rico...
stated that President Barack Obama
Barack Obama
Barack Hussein Obama II is the 44th and current President of the United States. He is the first African American to hold the office. Obama previously served as a United States Senator from Illinois, from January 2005 until he resigned following his victory in the 2008 presidential election.Born in...
still has not discovered "this administration's David Gregory". She used Gregory as a metaphor
Metaphor
A metaphor is a literary figure of speech that uses an image, story or tangible thing to represent a less tangible thing or some intangible quality or idea; e.g., "Her eyes were glistening jewels." Metaphor may also be used for any rhetorical figures of speech that achieve their effects via...
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".
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 WilkinsonBeth Wilkinson
Beth A. Wilkinson is a prominent Washington, D.C. lawyer, and partner in the New York City-based law firm Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison. She works in the firm's Washington, D.C. office focusing on white collar criminal defense....
. They met while Gregory was covering the Oklahoma City bombing
Oklahoma City bombing
The Oklahoma City bombing was a terrorist bomb attack on the Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building in downtown Oklahoma City on April 19, 1995. It was the most destructive act of terrorism on American soil until the September 11, 2001 attacks. The Oklahoma blast claimed 168 lives, including 19...
as a reporter and Wilkinson was serving as prosecutor on the case. The couple has a son and twins — one daughter and one son.