Norah O'Donnell
Encyclopedia
Norah O'Donnell is an American print and television journalist
, currently serving as the Chief White House Correspondent
for CBS News
in Washington, D.C.
, a position she has held since June 2011.
She graduated from Douglas MacArthur High School (San Antonio, Texas)
. She holds a Bachelor of Arts
in philosophy
. and a masters degree in international affairs
from Georgetown University
..
, where she covered Congress
.
A commentator for the NBC News
Today Show, Chief Washington Correspondent for MSNBC
, and from September 2003 to May 2005, the White House correspondent for NBC News. O'Donnell was also a contributing anchor for MSNBC Live
, and a rotating news anchor on Weekend Today
. O'Donnell has done reports that have appeared on numerous NBC News broadcasts, including NBC Nightly News
, The Today Show, Dateline NBC
, and MSNBC
. O'Donnell has also filled in for Chris Matthews
as host of Hardball with Chris Matthews
and was a regular pundit for The Chris Matthews Show
. She also co-hosted the New York City St. Patrick's Day Parade on WNBC since 2007.
Since joining CBS, she has filled in for Scott Pelley
on the CBS Evening News
on October 10, 2011 and again on November 25, 2011.
Washingtonian Magazine has named O’Donnell as one of Washington’s 100 most powerful women. O’Donnell has also been named to Irish American Magazine’s 2000 “Top 100 Irish Americans” list.
with her husband, restaurateur Geoff Tracy, whom she married in June 2001. She is not related to former fellow NBC News correspondent Kelly O'Donnell
or MSNBC political analyst Lawrence O'Donnell. On May 20, 2007, Norah and her husband, Geoff Tracy (owner of D.C. restaurant, Chef Geoff's), became the parents of twins, whom they named Grace and Henry. Their third child, daughter Riley Norah Tracy, was born on July 5, 2008; O'Donnell noted that her daughter's first name had been suggested by Tim Russert
, who died three weeks prior to Riley's birth. O'Donnell and her husband Geoff Tracy made a cookbook for parents titled Baby Love: Healthy, Easy, Delicious Meals for Your Baby and Toddler, released on August 31, 2010.
for Breaking News Coverage for the Dateline NBC
story "DC In Crisis," which aired on the night of September 11, 2001
.
She also won an Emmy for NBC News' Election Night coverage in 2008.
supporter attending a book signing. While speaking with people in the line, O'Donnell pointed out the inconsistency of Jackie Seal, a Palin supporter, wearing a shirt against the Emergency Economic Stabilization Act of 2008
, which Palin supported. Several conservative hosts and bloggers, most notably Glenn Beck
, criticized O'Donnell for the interview. O'Donnell wrote on Twitter that she had voted in the 2008 election; however, Jackie said she was 17 years old and therefore did not vote in the election.
In April 2010, O'Donnell implied that Newt Gingrich
had made racist comments at the Southern Republican Leadership Conference for a basketball reference he made when criticizing Barack Obama
. In response, Gingrich said, "The left is becoming a parody of itself ... she immediately said that must be a racist comment. It's relatively hard to go from, 'we need somebody who is a good president more than somebody who shoots three points shots,' to, 'that must have been racist.'"
Journalist
A journalist collects and distributes news and other information. A journalist's work is referred to as journalism.A reporter is a type of journalist who researchs, writes, and reports on information to be presented in mass media, including print media , electronic media , and digital media A...
, currently serving as the Chief 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....
for CBS News
CBS News
CBS News is the news division of American television and radio network CBS. The current chairman is Jeff Fager who is also the executive producer of 60 Minutes, while the current president of CBS News is David Rhodes. CBS News' flagship program is the CBS Evening News, hosted by the network's main...
in Washington, D.C.
Washington, D.C.
Washington, D.C., formally the District of Columbia and commonly referred to as Washington, "the District", or simply D.C., is the capital of the United States. On July 16, 1790, the United States Congress approved the creation of a permanent national capital as permitted by the U.S. Constitution....
, a position she has held since June 2011.
Early life
O'Donnell was born in Washington, D.C.Washington, D.C.
Washington, D.C., formally the District of Columbia and commonly referred to as Washington, "the District", or simply D.C., is the capital of the United States. On July 16, 1790, the United States Congress approved the creation of a permanent national capital as permitted by the U.S. Constitution....
She graduated from Douglas MacArthur High School (San Antonio, Texas)
Douglas MacArthur High School (San Antonio, Texas)
Douglas MacArthur High School is a public secondary school in a northeast suburb of San Antonio, Texas in the United States. The school, a part of the North East Independent School District serves students in ninth grade through twelfth grade, with admission based primarily on the locations of...
. She holds a Bachelor of Arts
Bachelor of Arts
A Bachelor of Arts , from the Latin artium baccalaureus, is a bachelor's degree awarded for an undergraduate course or program in either the liberal arts, the sciences, or both...
in philosophy
Philosophy
Philosophy is the study of general and fundamental problems, such as those connected with existence, knowledge, values, reason, mind, and language. Philosophy is distinguished from other ways of addressing such problems by its critical, generally systematic approach and its reliance on rational...
. and a masters degree in international affairs
International relations
International relations is the study of relationships between countries, including the roles of states, inter-governmental organizations , international nongovernmental organizations , non-governmental organizations and multinational corporations...
from Georgetown University
Georgetown University
Georgetown University is a private, Jesuit, research university whose main campus is in the Georgetown neighborhood of Washington, D.C. Founded in 1789, it is the oldest Catholic university in the United States...
..
Career
O'Donnell initially served as staff writer for Roll CallRoll Call
Roll Call is a newspaper published in Washington, D.C., United States, from Monday to Thursday when the United States Congress is in session and on Mondays only during recess. Roll Call reports news of legislative and political maneuverings on Capitol Hill, as well as political coverage of...
, where she covered Congress
United States Congress
The United States Congress is the bicameral legislature of the federal government of the United States, consisting of the Senate and the House of Representatives. The Congress meets in the United States Capitol in Washington, D.C....
.
A commentator for the 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...
Today Show, Chief Washington Correspondent 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...
, and from September 2003 to May 2005, the White House correspondent for NBC News. O'Donnell was also a contributing anchor for MSNBC Live
MSNBC Live
msnbc Live is an American news / talk television program on MSNBC hosted by Thomas Roberts.Focusing on live news coverage, the program also consists of guest analysis and interviews around the stories of the day, in addition to feature-like stories, in-depth special reports, and The Weather Channel...
, and a rotating news anchor on Weekend Today
Weekend 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:...
. O'Donnell has done reports that have appeared on numerous NBC News broadcasts, including 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...
, The Today Show, Dateline NBC
Dateline NBC
Dateline NBC, or Dateline, is a U.S. weekly television newsmagazine broadcast by NBC. It previously was NBC's flagship news magazine, but now focuses on true crime stories. It airs Friday at 9 p.m. EST and after football season on Sunday at 7 p.m. EST.-History:Dateline is historically notable for...
, and 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...
. O'Donnell has also filled in for 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...
as host of Hardball with Chris Matthews
Hardball with Chris Matthews
Hardball with Chris Matthews is a talk show on MSNBC, broadcast weekdays at 5 and 7 PM hosted by Chris Matthews. It originally aired on now-defunct America's Talking and later CNBC. The current title was derived from a book Matthews wrote in 1988, Hardball: How Politics Is Played Told by One Who...
and was a regular pundit for The Chris Matthews Show
The Chris Matthews Show
The Chris Matthews Show is a half-hour weekend news and political roundtable program produced by NBC News. It is taped in Washington, D.C., and nationally syndicated by NBC Universal Television Distribution...
. She also co-hosted the New York City St. Patrick's Day Parade on WNBC since 2007.
Since joining CBS, she has filled in for Scott Pelley
Scott Pelley
Scott Cameron Pelley is an American television journalist who is currently anchor and managing editor of the CBS Evening News and a correspondent for the CBS news magazine 60 Minutes...
on the CBS Evening News
CBS Evening News
CBS Evening News is the flagship nightly television news program of the American television network CBS. The network has broadcast this program since 1948, and has used the CBS Evening News title since 1963....
on October 10, 2011 and again on November 25, 2011.
Washingtonian Magazine has named O’Donnell as one of Washington’s 100 most powerful women. O’Donnell has also been named to Irish American Magazine’s 2000 “Top 100 Irish Americans” list.
Personal life
O'Donnell lives in Washington, D.C.Washington, D.C.
Washington, D.C., formally the District of Columbia and commonly referred to as Washington, "the District", or simply D.C., is the capital of the United States. On July 16, 1790, the United States Congress approved the creation of a permanent national capital as permitted by the U.S. Constitution....
with her husband, restaurateur Geoff Tracy, whom she married in June 2001. She is not related to former fellow NBC News correspondent Kelly O'Donnell
Kelly O'Donnell
-Occupation:*Is a political reporter for NBC News.**She appears on NBC Nightly News with Brian Williams, Today -Occupation:*Is a political reporter for NBC News.**She appears on NBC Nightly News with Brian Williams, Today -Occupation:*Is a political reporter for NBC News.**She appears on NBC...
or MSNBC political analyst Lawrence O'Donnell. On May 20, 2007, Norah and her husband, Geoff Tracy (owner of D.C. restaurant, Chef Geoff's), became the parents of twins, whom they named Grace and Henry. Their third child, daughter Riley Norah Tracy, was born on July 5, 2008; O'Donnell noted that her daughter's first name had been suggested by Tim Russert
Tim Russert
Timothy John "Tim" Russert was an American television journalist and lawyer who appeared for more than 16 years as the longest-serving moderator of NBC's Meet the Press. He was a senior vice president at NBC News, Washington bureau chief and also hosted the eponymous CNBC/MSNBC weekend interview...
, who died three weeks prior to Riley's birth. O'Donnell and her husband Geoff Tracy made a cookbook for parents titled Baby Love: Healthy, Easy, Delicious Meals for Your Baby and Toddler, released on August 31, 2010.
Awards
O'Donnell won the Sigma Delta Chi AwardSigma Delta Chi Award
The Sigma Delta Chi Awards are presented annually by the Society of Professional Journalists for excellence in journalism.- History :The Awards, according to the SPJ, did not begin in 1932 when the society chose six individuals for their contributions to journalism. In 1939 the awards program began...
for Breaking News Coverage for the Dateline NBC
Dateline NBC
Dateline NBC, or Dateline, is a U.S. weekly television newsmagazine broadcast by NBC. It previously was NBC's flagship news magazine, but now focuses on true crime stories. It airs Friday at 9 p.m. EST and after football season on Sunday at 7 p.m. EST.-History:Dateline is historically notable for...
story "DC In Crisis," which aired on the night of September 11, 2001
September 11, 2001 attacks
The September 11 attacks The September 11 attacks The September 11 attacks (also referred to as September 11, September 11th or 9/119/11 is pronounced "nine eleven". The slash is not part of the pronunciation...
.
She also won an Emmy for NBC News' Election Night coverage in 2008.
Criticism
O'Donnell was heavily criticized by conservatives for her interview of a Sarah PalinSarah Palin
Sarah Louise Palin is an American politician, commentator and author. As the Republican Party nominee for Vice President in the 2008 presidential election, she was the first Alaskan on the national ticket of a major party and first Republican woman nominated for the vice-presidency.She was...
supporter attending a book signing. While speaking with people in the line, O'Donnell pointed out the inconsistency of Jackie Seal, a Palin supporter, wearing a shirt against the Emergency Economic Stabilization Act of 2008
Emergency Economic Stabilization Act of 2008
The Emergency Economic Stabilization Act of 2008 The Emergency Economic Stabilization Act of 2008 The Emergency Economic Stabilization Act of 2008 (Division A of , commonly referred to as a bailout of the U.S. financial system, is a law enacted in response to the subprime mortgage crisis...
, which Palin supported. Several conservative hosts and bloggers, most notably Glenn Beck
Glenn Beck
Glenn Edward Lee Beck is an American conservative radio host, vlogger, author, entrepreneur, political commentator and former television host. He hosts the Glenn Beck Program, a nationally syndicated talk-radio show that airs throughout the United States on Premiere Radio Networks...
, criticized O'Donnell for the interview. O'Donnell wrote on Twitter that she had voted in the 2008 election; however, Jackie said she was 17 years old and therefore did not vote in the election.
In April 2010, O'Donnell implied that Newt Gingrich
Newt Gingrich
Newton Leroy "Newt" Gingrich is a U.S. Republican Party politician who served as the House Minority Whip from 1989 to 1995 and as the 58th Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives from 1995 to 1999....
had made racist comments at the Southern Republican Leadership Conference for a basketball reference he made when criticizing 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...
. In response, Gingrich said, "The left is becoming a parody of itself ... she immediately said that must be a racist comment. It's relatively hard to go from, 'we need somebody who is a good president more than somebody who shoots three points shots,' to, 'that must have been racist.'"