Chelsea Clinton to freelance for NBC News
In this Feb. 9, 2011 photo, Chelsea Clinton attends amfAR's annual New York Gala at Cipriani Wall Street in Manhattan. NBC announced on Nov. 14 that Clinton will be working for the network as a contributor. (Feb. 9, 2011) Credit: AP
Big NBC News news: Chelsea Clinton, daughter of you-know-who and you-know-who-else, will join the network to contribute pieces to "Rock Center with Brian Williams" and "Nightly News."
This is a fascinating hire for all sorts of reasons -- notwithstanding the fact that Clinton, even more than most first children, has kept an extremely low profile over the years. NBC actually leaked the coup to The New York Times Monday morning -- and the Times promptly tweaked Clinton on Twitter for not even submitting to an interview!
In fact, I did a little research: Clinton has never submitted to an interview for a major (or minor) news organization. She has simply refused all requests - politely, according to my former colleague, Glenn Thrush, who covered her mom's White House quest for us and now works for Politico.
Meanwhile, did you know: Her mother-in-law, Marjorie Margolies-Mezvinsky, was a veteran reporter for NBC's owned stations in Washington, and WNBC/4 here, and also worked at "The Today Show.
In any event, in her statement, she said this about the "Making a Difference" pieces which she will report -- the feature to which Jenna Bush also contributes:
“People who imagine and implement solutions to challenges in their own lives, in their communities, in our country and in our world have always inspired me,” Clinton said. “I hope telling stories through “Making a Difference” -- as in my academic work and nonprofit work -- will help me to live my grandmother’s adage of “Life is not about what happens to you, but about what you do with what happens to you, ” Clinton continued. “I have long been impressed that Brian and his team at NBC place consistent importance on sharing stories of empowerment that in turn, help empower other people and families. I am grateful for the opportunity to contribute to this tradition.”
