Nicolle Wallace
Encyclopedia
Nicolle Wallace(born 1972) is a best-selling author and political commentator. She previously served as communications chief during the presidency of George W. Bush and in his 2004 re-election campaign
. In 2008, Wallace also served as a senior advisor for the McCain–Palin campaign
.
Her first novel, New York Times bestseller
Eighteen Acres, about the first female U.S. President was released in October 2010.
In 1999 she moved to Florida to serve as Governor Jeb Bush
’s press secretary and then became the Communications Director for the Florida State Technology Office in 2000. Wallace worked on the 2000 Florida election recount
.
In 2003, Wallace joined the Bush–Cheney ’04 campaign as the Communications Director, where according to The New York Times
, “she delivered her political attacks without snarling.”
On January 5, 2005, President George W. Bush named Wallace White House Communications Director
. The New York Times story announcing her presidential appointment carried the headline: “New Aide Aims to Defrost the Press Room,” and described Wallace’s intentions “to improve the contentious relationship between a secretive White House and the press.” According to The Washington Post
, Wallace served as “a voice for more openness with reporters” and former colleagues describe Wallace as having been “very persuasive in the halls of the West Wing
.”
Her White House colleague, presidential political advisor Mark McKinnon
, called her a "rare talent in politics."
in 2008. She appeared frequently on network and cable news programs as the campaign’s top spokesman and defender. In response to reports of dissension within the McCain-Palin camp in late October 2008, Wallace gave the same statement to both Politico
and CNN
: "If people want to throw me under the bus, my personal belief is that the most honorable thing to do is to lie there."
complex sits), a fictional narrative about three powerful women at the top of their careers – the first female U.S. President, her chief of staff
and a White House correspondent
. Wallace said, “It’s my best attempt at a story that I hope people will pick up and read and enjoy and maybe feel like they’re getting to see what it’s really like in the White House in this entirely fictional story.”
Eighteen Acres received praise from several sources and across the political spectrum. The Washington Post book reviewer called it "one of the best novels I've read about life in the White House... Her book is both an enjoyable read and a serious look at what high-level political pressures do to people." USA Today said "Nicolle Wallace actually knows what she's talking about" and The New York Times called the book "an engaging, easy read." TV personalities such as George Stephanopoulos
, Rachel Maddow
, John King
, and Andrea Mitchell
also praised Eighteen Acres.
In September 2011, Wallace published the sequel to Eighteen Acres, It's Classified.
, an affluent town across the bay from San Francisco, where her mother was a third-grade teacher assistant in the public schools and her father was an antiques dealer. Her grandfather Thomas Devenish was a well-known Manhattan antiques dealer "Devenish and Company" known for his discerning eye for fine quality 18th century English furniture. Wallace, a 1990 graduate of Miramonte High School
, received a B.A. in Mass Communications from the University of California, Berkeley
and a master's degree from Northwestern University
’s Medill School of Journalism
. She lives in New York City and Connecticut with her husband, Mark Wallace
, and their vizsla dog Lilly.
George W. Bush presidential campaign, 2004
This article is about the presidential campaign of George W. Bush, the former President of the United States and winner of the 2004 Presidential Election. See George W. Bush for a detailed biography and information about his full presidency, and George W. Bush presidential campaign, 2000 for a...
. In 2008, Wallace also served as a senior advisor for the McCain–Palin campaign
John McCain presidential campaign, 2008
John McCain, the senior United States Senator from Arizona, launched his second candidacy for the presidency of the United States in an unsuccessful bid to win the 2008 presidential election. His candidacy, in the works for a number of years, was informally announced on February 28, 2007 during a...
.
Her first novel, New York Times bestseller
Bestseller
A bestseller is a book that is identified as extremely popular by its inclusion on lists of currently top selling titles that are based on publishing industry and book trade figures and published by newspapers, magazines, or bookstore chains. Some lists are broken down into classifications and...
Eighteen Acres, about the first female U.S. President was released in October 2010.
Political career
Briefly an on-air reporter in California, Wallace started her political career working in California state politics.In 1999 she moved to Florida to serve as Governor Jeb Bush
Jeb Bush
John Ellis "Jeb" Bush is an American politician who served as the 43rd Governor of Florida from 1999 to 2007. He is a prominent member of the Bush family: the second son of former President George H. W. Bush and former First Lady Barbara Bush; the younger brother of former President George W...
’s press secretary and then became the Communications Director for the Florida State Technology Office in 2000. Wallace worked on the 2000 Florida election recount
Florida election recount
The Florida election recount of 2000 was a period of vote re-counting that occurred following the unclear results of the 2000 United States presidential election between George W. Bush and Al Gore, specifically the Florida results. The election was ultimately settled in favor of George W. Bush when...
.
White House and Bush–Cheney '04
Wallace joined the White House staff during President George W. Bush’s first term, serving as Special Assistant to the President and Director of Media Affairs at the White House where she oversaw regional press strategy and outreach.In 2003, Wallace joined the Bush–Cheney ’04 campaign as the Communications Director, where according to The New York Times
The New York Times
The New York Times is an American daily newspaper founded and continuously published in New York City since 1851. The New York Times has won 106 Pulitzer Prizes, the most of any news organization...
, “she delivered her political attacks without snarling.”
On January 5, 2005, President George W. Bush named Wallace White House Communications Director
White House Communications Director
The White House Director of Communications, also known as Assistant to the President for Communications, is part of the senior staff of the President of the United States, and is responsible for developing and promoting the agenda of the President and leading its media campaign...
. The New York Times story announcing her presidential appointment carried the headline: “New Aide Aims to Defrost the Press Room,” and described Wallace’s intentions “to improve the contentious relationship between a secretive White House and the press.” According to The Washington Post
The Washington Post
The Washington Post is Washington, D.C.'s largest newspaper and its oldest still-existing paper, founded in 1877. Located in the capital of the United States, The Post has a particular emphasis on national politics. D.C., Maryland, and Virginia editions are printed for daily circulation...
, Wallace served as “a voice for more openness with reporters” and former colleagues describe Wallace as having been “very persuasive in the halls of the West Wing
West Wing
The West Wing is the building housing the official offices of the President of the United States. It is the part of the White House Complex in which the Oval Office, the Cabinet Room, the Situation Room, and the Roosevelt Room are located...
.”
Her White House colleague, presidential political advisor Mark McKinnon
Mark McKinnon
Mark McKinnon is a Republican political advisor in the United States, Global Vice-Chairman of Hill & Knowlton, Inc., a leading international communications consultancy, providing services to local, multinational and global clients, and the President of Maverick Media. Originally a Democrat,...
, called her a "rare talent in politics."
McCain–Palin campaign
Wallace also served as a senior advisor for the McCain-Palin campaignJohn McCain presidential campaign, 2008
John McCain, the senior United States Senator from Arizona, launched his second candidacy for the presidency of the United States in an unsuccessful bid to win the 2008 presidential election. His candidacy, in the works for a number of years, was informally announced on February 28, 2007 during a...
in 2008. She appeared frequently on network and cable news programs as the campaign’s top spokesman and defender. In response to reports of dissension within the McCain-Palin camp in late October 2008, Wallace gave the same statement to both Politico
Politico (newspaper)
The Politico is an American political journalism organization based in Arlington, Virginia, that distributes its content via television, the Internet, newspaper, and radio. Its coverage of Washington, D.C., includes the U.S. Congress, lobbying, media and the Presidency...
and CNN
CNN
Cable News Network is a U.S. cable news channel founded in 1980 by Ted Turner. Upon its launch, CNN was the first channel to provide 24-hour television news coverage, and the first all-news television channel in the United States...
: "If people want to throw me under the bus, my personal belief is that the most honorable thing to do is to lie there."
White House novel series
She is the author of the 2010 novel Eighteen Acres (a reference to the 18 acres on which the White HouseWhite House
The White House is the official residence and principal workplace of the president of the United States. Located at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue NW in Washington, D.C., the house was designed by Irish-born James Hoban, and built between 1792 and 1800 of white-painted Aquia sandstone in the Neoclassical...
complex sits), a fictional narrative about three powerful women at the top of their careers – the first female U.S. President, her chief of staff
White House Chief of Staff
The White House Chief of Staff is the highest ranking member of the Executive Office of the President of the United States and a senior aide to the President.The current White House Chief of Staff is Bill Daley.-History:...
and a White House correspondent
White House Press Corps
The White House Press Corps is the group of journalists or correspondents usually stationed at the White House in Washington, D.C. to cover the president of the United States, White House events and news briefings. Their offices are located in the West Wing....
. Wallace said, “It’s my best attempt at a story that I hope people will pick up and read and enjoy and maybe feel like they’re getting to see what it’s really like in the White House in this entirely fictional story.”
Eighteen Acres received praise from several sources and across the political spectrum. The Washington Post book reviewer called it "one of the best novels I've read about life in the White House... Her book is both an enjoyable read and a serious look at what high-level political pressures do to people." USA Today said "Nicolle Wallace actually knows what she's talking about" and The New York Times called the book "an engaging, easy read." TV personalities such as George Stephanopoulos
George Stephanopoulos
George Robert Stephanopoulos is an American television journalist and a former political advisor.Stephanopoulos is most well known as the chief political correspondent for ABC News – the news division of the broadcast television network ABC – and a co-anchor of ABC News's morning news...
, Rachel Maddow
Rachel 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...
, John King
John King (journalist)
John King is an American journalist and is the anchor of John King, USA which appears weeknights at 7pm/ET on CNN. He is also the former anchor of State of the Union with John King...
, and Andrea Mitchell
Andrea Mitchell
Andrea Mitchell is an American television journalist, anchor, reporter, and commentator for NBC News based in Washington, D.C.. She is the NBC News Chief Foreign Affairs Correspondent, and has recently reported on the 2008 Race for the White House for NBC News broadcasts, including NBC Nightly...
also praised Eighteen Acres.
In September 2011, Wallace published the sequel to Eighteen Acres, It's Classified.
Personal life
Wallace is a California native. She grew up in Orinda, CaliforniaOrinda, California
-2010:The 2010 United States Census reported that Orinda had a population of 17,643. The population density was 1,389.5 people per square mile . The racial makeup of Orinda was 14,533 White, 149 African American, 22 Native American, 2,016 Asian, 24 Pacific Islander, 122 from other races, and...
, an affluent town across the bay from San Francisco, where her mother was a third-grade teacher assistant in the public schools and her father was an antiques dealer. Her grandfather Thomas Devenish was a well-known Manhattan antiques dealer "Devenish and Company" known for his discerning eye for fine quality 18th century English furniture. Wallace, a 1990 graduate of Miramonte High School
Miramonte High School
Miramonte High School is a public high school located in Orinda, California. It is part of the Acalanes Union High School District, which has a college preparatory program, with 15 Advanced Placement courses offered. Over 98% of its graduates go on to college. 320 students graduated in 2005, with...
, received a B.A. in Mass Communications from the University of California, Berkeley
University of California, Berkeley
The University of California, Berkeley , is a teaching and research university established in 1868 and located in Berkeley, California, USA...
and a master's degree from Northwestern University
Northwestern University
Northwestern University is a private research university in Evanston and Chicago, Illinois, USA. Northwestern has eleven undergraduate, graduate, and professional schools offering 124 undergraduate degrees and 145 graduate and professional degrees....
’s Medill School of Journalism
Medill School of Journalism
The Medill School of Journalism, Media, Integrated Marketing Communications is a constituent school of Northwestern University which offers both undergraduate and graduate programs. It has consistently been one of the top-ranked schools in Journalism in the United States...
. She lives in New York City and Connecticut with her husband, Mark Wallace
Mark Wallace
Mark Alexander Wallace is a Welsh cricketer; a left-handed batsman and wicket-keeper....
, and their vizsla dog Lilly.