Nicolle Wallace

Nicolle Wallace (née Devenish; born February 4, 1972) is an American author, anchor of Deadline: White House, and political analyst for MSNBC and NBC News. She is a frequent contributor and guest host on MSNBC programs The 11th Hour with Brian Williams and Morning Joe as well as NBC's Today Show. She is a former co-host of the ABC daytime talk show The View.

Nicolle Wallace
White House Communications Director
In office January 5, 2005 – July 24, 2006
President	George W. Bush
Preceded by	Dan Bartlett
Succeeded by	Kevin Sullivan
Personal details
Born	Nicolle Devenish (1972-02-04) February 4, 1972 Orange County, California, U.S.
Political party	Republican
Spouse(s)	Mark Wallace ( m. 2005)
Children	1
Education	University of California, Berkeley (BA) Northwestern University (MA)

In her former political career, Wallace served as the White House Communications Director during the presidency of George W. Bush and in his 2004 re-election campaign. Wallace also served as a senior advisor for John McCain's 2008 presidential campaign. In addition, she is the author of the contemporary political novels Eighteen Acres, It's Classified, and Madam President.

Early life

Nicolle Devenish was born on February 4, 1972, in Orange County in southern California.[1][2][3] The eldest of four children,[4] she grew up in Orinda in Northern California. Her mother was a third-grade teacher's assistant in public schools, and her father was an antiques dealer.[5] Her grandfather, Thomas Devenish, was a Manhattan antiques dealer, part of "Devenish and Company".[6] He was born in England to vaudevillian parents and immigrated to the United States with his family in 1947.[7] Wallace is also of Greek descent.[8]

A 1990 graduate of Miramonte High School, Wallace received a Bachelor of Arts in mass communications from the University of California, Berkeley in 1994,[4] and a master's degree from Northwestern University's Medill School of Journalism in 1996.[9][4]

Political career

Briefly an on-air reporter in California, Wallace started her political career working in California state politics.[10] 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.[9] Wallace worked on the 2000 Florida election recount.[11]

White House and Bush 2004 presidential campaign

Wallace joined the White House staff during 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.[12] In 2003, Wallace joined Bush's 2004 presidential campaign as its Communications Director, wherein according to The New York Times she "delivered her political attacks without snarling."[13]

On January 5, 2005, Bush named Wallace White House Communications Director.[12] 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."[13] 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."[11] She left the White House in July 2006 to relocate to New York City, where her husband Mark was representing the Bush Administration at the United Nations.[11] Her White House colleague, presidential political advisor Mark McKinnon, called her a "rare talent in politics."[14]

McCain 2008 presidential campaign

Wallace also served as a senior advisor for the John McCain 2008 presidential campaign. She appeared frequently on network and cable news programs as the campaign's top spokesperson and defender.[15]

In late October 2008, campaign aides criticized vice-presidential candidate Sarah Palin. One unnamed McCain aide said Palin had "gone rogue," placing her own future political interests ahead of the McCain/Palin ticket, directly contradicting her running mate's positions, and disobeying directions from campaign managers.[16][17] In response to reports of dissension within the McCain-Palin campaign, Wallace issued a statement to both Politico and CNN saying: "If people want to throw me under the bus, my personal belief is that the most honorable thing to do is to lie there."[18][16]

Wallace was portrayed by Sarah Paulson in the 2012 film Game Change.[19] Wallace described the film as highly credible, saying the film "captured the spirit and emotion of the campaign." Wallace also told ABC News Chief Political Correspondent George Stephanopoulos that the film was "true enough to make me squirm."[20] Eight years after the election, Wallace stated that she did not vote for a presidential candidate in 2008 because Sarah Palin gave her pause.[21]

Other work

White House novel series

She is the author of the 2010 novel Eighteen Acres (a reference to the 18 acres on which the White House complex sits),[22] 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."[23]

Patrick Anderson of The Washington Post wrote, "To say that Nicolle Wallace's 'Eighteen Acres' is one of the best novels I've read about life in the White House may be faint praise—there haven't been many good ones—but her book is both an enjoyable read and a serious look at what high-level political pressures do to people."[24] Craig Wilson of USA Today wrote, "Nicolle Wallace actually knows what she's talking about"[25] and Ashley Parker of The New York Times called the book "an engaging, easy read."[26] TV personalities such as George Stephanopoulos,[27] Rachel Maddow,[28] John King,[29] and Andrea Mitchell[30] also praised Eighteen Acres.

In September 2011, Wallace published the sequel to Eighteen Acres, It's Classified, about a fictional presidential campaign troubled by a mentally ill vice presidential candidate.[31] Wallace said the premise was inspired by her experience as a senior adviser to the McCain/Palin campaign.[32] Her third novel, Madam President, was released in April 2015.[33]

Television

On September 3, 2014, ABC announced Wallace would join The View as a new co-host alongside newcomer Rosie Perez.[34] Wallace made her debut as a co-host on the premiere of the series' 18th season on September 15, 2014.[35] Wallace exited the series at the end of the season.[36][37]

Following her departure from The View, Wallace joined NBC News and its cable network MSNBC as a political analyst.[38] She is also a frequent contributor and guest host on MSNBC programs The 11th Hour with Brian Williams and Morning Joe as well as on NBC's Today Show.[39] In November 2016, Wallace served as an analyst for MSNBC's live coverage of election results, which was anchored by Brian Williams, Rachel Maddow, and Chris Matthews.[40] Since May 9, 2017, Wallace has been the anchor of the afternoon news and opinion program Deadline: White House on MSNBC.[38] Deadline: White House garnered a total of 2 million viewers in July 2020, and in the following month, it was expanded to two hours.[41]

Personal life

Wallace married American businessman, former diplomat, and lawyer Mark Wallace in 2005.[3] The couple welcomed their first child, a son, in 2012.[42] In February 2013, both Wallace and her husband publicly supported the legalization of same-sex marriage in an amicus curiae brief submitted to the U.S. Supreme Court.[43] Wallace stated in November 2019 that she was a "non-practicing Republican".[44]

Published works

• Wallace, Nicolle (2010). Eighteen Acres: A Novel. Atria Books. ISBN 978-1439194829.
• Wallace, Nicolle (2011). It's Classified: A Novel. Atria Books. ISBN 978-1451610963.
• Wallace, Nicolle (2015). Madam President: A Novel. Atria Books/Emily Bestler Books. ISBN 978-1476756899.

References

1. Palmer, Anna; Sherman, Jake (February 4, 2020). "POLITICO Playbook: Election chaos: There's an app for that, apparently". Politico. Retrieved March 7, 2020.
2. Holloway, Daniel; Maglio, Tony (July 15, 2015). "Nicolle Wallace Won't Return as Permanent Co-Host of 'The View' Next Season". TheWrap. Retrieved March 7, 2020. The 43-year-old Republican political commentator and former White House staffer under President George W. Bush will not return as a permanent co-host next season, an insider with knowledge tells "The Wrap."
3. Pappu, Sridhar (January 20, 2018). "Nicolle Wallace's Road From the White House to 30 Rock". The New York Times. Retrieved March 7, 2020.
4. Pogash, Carol (Fall 2011). "Novel Approach". Cal Alumni Association. Retrieved November 28, 2014.
5. ELISABETH BUMILLER (January 10, 2005). "New Aide Aims to Defrost the Press Room". The New York Times.
6. "Deaths DEVENISH, THOMAS". The New York Times. November 3, 2002.
7. Moonan, Wendy (April 4, 2008). "Every Piece Was His Favorite". The New York Times. Retrieved November 28, 2014.
8. "Meet 'The View's' New Greek American Co-Host Nicolle Wallace". The Pappas Post. September 24, 2014. Retrieved November 28, 2014.
9. Eric M. Appleman (March 25, 2006). "President George W. Bush-Campaign Organization". Democracy in Action. George Washington University. Retrieved August 31, 2010.
10. "The Note". ABC News. May 30, 2003. Retrieved January 24, 2019.
11. Michael Abramowitz (June 28, 2006). "White House to Lose a Top Mouthpiece". The Washington Post.
12. "Personnel Announcement". Office of the Press Secretary. White House. January 5, 2005. Retrieved September 2, 2010.
13. Elisabeth Bumiller (January 10, 2005). "New Aide Aims to Defrost the Press Room". The New York Times. Retrieved September 2, 2010.
14. "Novel Approach". California Magazine. Cal Alumni Association. September 26, 2011.
15. Ana Marie Cox (October 28, 2008). "A Q and A With Nicolle Wallace, Palin's Chaperone". The Daily Beast. Retrieved September 2, 2010.
16. Dana Bash, Peter Hamby and John King (October 26, 2008). "Palin's 'going rogue,' McCain aide says". CNN. Retrieved January 1, 2009.
17. Agrell, Siri. "'Rogue' Palin eyeing 2012 White House campaign, party insiders say". The Globe and Mail. Toronto. Archived from the original on October 30, 2008. Retrieved January 1, 2009.
18. Ben Smith (October 25, 2008). "Palin allies report rising camp tension". Politico. Retrieved September 2, 2010.
19. Hall, Katy (March 12, 2012). "Former McCain-Palin Aide: 'Game Change' Was 'True Enough To Make Me Squirm'". The Huffington Post.
20. George Stephanopoulos (March 11, 2012). "Former Sarah Palin Adviser Says 'Game Change' Was 'True Enough to Make Me Squirm'". ABC News. Retrieved March 11, 2012.
21. Collizza, Chris (July 12, 2016). "Jeb Bush has a major-league sad about the 2016 election". The Washington Post. Retrieved July 12, 2016.
22. David Jackson (February 4, 2010). "Ex-White House staffer pens book – fiction, about a female president". USA Today. Retrieved September 2, 2010.
23. Steve Holland (August 9, 2010). "Nicolle Wallace's novel about White House: Eighteen Acres". Reuters. Archived from the original on September 15, 2011. Retrieved September 2, 2010.
24. Patrick Anderson (October 18, 2010). "Review of 'Eighteen Acres,' a political thriller by Nicolle Wallace". The Washington Post. Retrieved September 26, 2011.
25. Craig Wilson (October 18, 2010). "Washington's inner workings revealed in 'Eighteen Acres'". USA Today. Retrieved September 26, 2011.
26. Ashley Parker (October 24, 2010). "What Change Could Look Like". The New York Times. Retrieved September 26, 2011.
27. George Stephanopoulos (October 19, 2010). "Inside the 'Eighteen Acres'". ABC News. Retrieved September 26, 2011.
28. Rachel Maddow. "The Interview". MSNBC. Archived from the original on May 26, 2009. Retrieved September 26, 2011.
29. John King (October 21, 2010). "GOP insider's novel approach". CNN. Retrieved September 26, 2011.
30. Andrea Mitchell. "Andrea Mitchell Reports". MSNBC. Archived from the original on December 25, 2003. Retrieved September 26, 2011.
31. It's Classified. Simon & Schuster. September 26, 2011. ISBN 9781451610970.
32. Oct 2011 – Palin 'Incredibly Withdrawn' as VP Candidate; Sparked Talk of Removal from Ticket
33. Rhule, Patti (April 28, 2015). "A female president stars in new novel". USA Today. Retrieved March 7, 2020.
34. "Rosie Perez and Nicolle Wallace Join The View as Co-hosts". ABC. September 3, 2014.
35. Lee, Ashley (September 15, 2014). "'The View': Rosie O'Donnell Returns, Rosie Perez and Nicolle Wallace Debut". The Hollywood Reporter. Archived from the original on December 31, 2018. Retrieved March 7, 2020.
36. Rebecca Iannucci (July 15, 2015). "'The View': Nicolle Wallace Leaving After Current Season – TVLine". TVLine. Archived from the original on June 27, 2017. Retrieved September 21, 2015.
37. Setoodeh, Ramin (August 13, 2015). "'The View': Nicolle Wallace on Getting Fired and Other Hot Topics (EXCLUSIVE)". Variety. Retrieved March 9, 2020.
38. "Deadline: White House on MSNBC". MSNBC.com.
39. "Nicolle Wallace Biography". MSNBC. Retrieved March 7, 2020.
40. Birnbaum, Debra (November 8, 2016). "MSNBC Election Coverage: Analyzing the Unhappy Electorate". Variety. Retrieved March 7, 2020.
41. Johnson, Ted (August 3, 2020). "MSNBC Changes Daytime Lineup: Nicolle Wallace's Show Expands To Two Hours, Chuck Todd's 'MTP Daily' Moves To Early Afternoon And Adds Streaming Show". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved August 3, 2020.
42. Heil, Emily (September 4, 2014). "Meet Nicolle Wallace, the new co-host of ABC's 'The View'". The Washington Post. Retrieved March 7, 2020.
43. Avlon, John (February 28, 2013). "The Pro-Freedom Republicans Are Coming: 131 Sign Gay-Marriage Brief". The Daily Beast. Retrieved March 7, 2020.
44. Ellefson, Lindsey (November 14, 2019). "MSNBC's Nicolle Wallace Says GOP Is 'Sad' Now and She's No Longer a Republican (Video)". TheWrap. Retrieved March 7, 2020.

Further reading

• Sherwood, Justine (August 27, 2012). "Nicolle Wallace Talks Bush, Palin, and Re-imagining the White House". Construction Magazine.

External links

• Appearances on C-SPAN
• Nicolle Wallace on IMDb

Political offices
Preceded by Dan Bartlett	White House Director of Communications 2005–2006	Succeeded by Kevin Sullivan
Media offices
Preceded by Jenny McCarthy Sherri Shepherd Barbara Walters	The View co-host 2014–2015	Succeeded by Joy Behar Candace Cameron Bure Michelle Collins Paula Faris