| Topic Name: |
NBC Official Announcement |
| Message Name: |
Kelly O'Donnell |
| Date Posted: |
05/11/2005 |
| Message: |
NEW YORK -- May 11, 2005 -- NBC News' Kelly O'Donnell has been named White House correspondent for NBC, effective immediately, NBC News President Neal Shapiro announced today. O'Donnell will join NBC News' Chief White House correspondent David Gregory in covering the Bush/Cheney administration, reporting for "Today," as well as for "NBC Nightly News with Brian Williams," MSNBC and all other NBC News programs. She replaces Norah O'Donnell who will serve as Chief Washington correspondent for MSNBC and contributing correspondent for "Today."
In making the announcement, Shapiro said, "With both Kelly and David reporting from the White House, there is no question that NBC News has the best possible team covering this critically important beat. Kelly has earned this position, and I am so pleased to acknowledge her strong reporting skills with this promotion."
Most recently, O'Donnell has served as NBC News correspondent based in New York covering stories of national and international interest for "NBC Nightly News," "Today" and "Dateline NBC." She has also served as news anchor for the weekend edition of "Today," and as a substitute anchor for other NBC News broadcasts. Her reporting has taken her to all fifty states and to more than 20 countries, including her recent coverage of the death of Pope John Paul II from his native Poland.
Said Tim Russert, NBC News' Washington Bureau Chief, "Kelly understands public policy and loves politics ? a perfect combination for being a White House reporter. She's a great addition to our team."
O'Donnell has an extensive political reporting background covering all aspects of politics for NBC News. She began 2004 in Iowa covering the field of Democratic challengers, followed by several months on the campaign trail during Senator John Kerry's bid for the White House. In 2004 she also reported from the Democratic Convention in Boston, the Presidential Debates, during NBC News' "Decision 2004" Election Night coverage and reported on President Bush's second inauguration. Among other political stories, she covered the 2003 gubernatorial recall in California, the Minnesota Senate race following the death of Sen. Paul Wellstone, the 2000 Florida recount and in 1996, she traveled with the Bob Dole for President campaign.
"My interest in journalism first began when I was a young student fascinated by the American presidency," said O'Donnell. "Today, the opportunity to cover the White House during such complex and eventful times is a marvelous professional challenge."
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