Tulsa World: Bush daughter gets NBC 'Today' job

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Bush daughter gets NBC 'Today' job

ON AIR
Jenna Hager: The former first daughter was hired as a part- time correspondent.

By DAVID BAUDER Associated Press
Published: 8/31/2009 2:23 AM
Last Modified: 8/31/2009 6:33 AM

NEW YORK — NBC's "Today" show has hired someone with White House experience as a new correspondent — former first daughter Jenna Hager.

The daughter of former President George W. Bush will contribute stories about once a month on issues like education to television's top-rated morning news show, said Jim Bell, its executive producer.

Hager, a 27-year-old teacher in Baltimore, said she has always wanted to be a teacher and a writer, and has already written two books. But she was intrigued by the idea of getting into television when Bell contacted her.

"It wasn't something I'd always dreamed to do," she said. "But I think one of the most important things in life is to be open-minded and to be open-minded for change."

She'll essentially work two part-time jobs as a correspondent and in her school, where she will be a reading coordinator this year.

Bell said he got the idea after seeing Hager in two "Today" appearances. She was on the program two years ago to promote her book about an HIV-infected single mother, "Ana's Story: A Journey of Hope," and it went so well that a short interview was stretched to nearly a half-hour. She and her mother, Laura Bush, also co-hosted an hour of "Today." By DAVID BAUDER Associated Press

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Some reader comments for this story were copied from "Bush daughter Jenna Hager becomes 'Today' reporter," which was published on 8/30/2009.

	Report Comment okierose, Glenpool (8/30/2009 2:49:11 PM) I would love to hear a report from her. I saw the interview on Larry King Live, with her mother. Good interview.
	Report Comment mamafrog, (8/30/2009 3:32:15 PM) This is nice.
	Report Comment concernedOKIE, Tulsa (8/30/2009 5:46:06 PM) Just another example of how "connections" gets you even farther ahead than your job performance does.
	Report Comment Four Sixteen Rigby, Tulsa (8/30/2009 5:59:39 PM) Well, shucks. Now I know why I didn't get that job. And to think they told me it was because I was overqualified.
	Report Comment wisernow, spring (8/30/2009 6:14:46 PM) well..isnt that just special..you cant tell me that a name and connections dont help..if john smith with a communications degree had applied for a similar job, he wouldnt even be considered!
	Report Comment out here in the middle, Sand Springs (8/30/2009 7:13:33 PM) Seriously, you really think that a Bush girl would have an inside track at left-leaning, Bush-hating NBC news? She must be pretty good, or they wouldn't have hired her.
	Report Comment marlin, (8/30/2009 7:19:44 PM) why?
	Report Comment jess, (8/30/2009 8:28:09 PM) Hopefully some of the MSM are hiring reporters other than individuals from the far left. Objectivity presently is non-existent.
	Report Comment xx123, (8/30/2009 9:09:04 PM) I think she'll be entertaining.
	Report Comment J.R., Dallas, (8/30/2009 9:12:43 PM) "out here in the middle, Sand Springs (8/30/2009 7:13:33 PM) Seriously, you really think that a Bush girl would have an inside track at left-leaning, Bush-hating NBC news? She must be pretty good, or they wouldn't have hired her." There's a conspiracy somewhere; I'm heading down to the "grassy knoll" to check it out. No film at eleven.
	Report Comment Fire The Politicians, (8/30/2009 9:55:11 PM) This is news? Nice of the right wing hate machine to make this story about Clinton. Typical right wing hate machine propaganda.
	Report Comment 2ndjoyce, BA (8/31/2009 12:01:21 AM) I loved seeing Jenna promoting her books in the past and she seems like a great choice to bring some expertise and passion to education reports. She's a fresh young face and with a fresh point of view. I look forward to watching her.
	Report Comment FUTURE WORLD, Tulsa (8/31/2009 1:11:09 AM) My goodness, has she turned left? Future MSNBC star reporter. What has the world come too?
	Report Comment Centrist, close enough (8/31/2009 2:00:01 AM) I think she is just getting her feet wet with NBC.
	Report Comment Our Clowns, In Our Capital Buildings (8/31/2009 6:22:37 AM) I think her daddy helped her get her feet wet.
	Report Comment jhill2, Tulsa (8/31/2009 6:37:20 AM) Jenna won't be the first Bush to benefit from having Daddy make a few phone calls.
	Report Comment Tulsa Life, (8/31/2009 8:49:54 AM) Good for her! Hope she does well
	Report Comment Ayo, T-Town (8/31/2009 9:27:21 AM) Like father, like daughter: She must have kept her nose to the grindstone during her tenure at UT. ;) Ahh well, that's life. There will always be those who amoung us who never have to work for success. That's just the way it is, and the way it's always been. Everywhere around the world.
	Report Comment TheFoundOgle, Mid-town (8/31/2009 9:56:32 AM) I am willing to give her a chance here folks... seems like she is sincere about education. My wife was a former teacher in Baltimore, and I know that it is not a walk in the park. I am not a fan of her daddy by any means, but I feel like she is actually trying to live a productive and active life outside of the White House.
	Report Comment Tim Denver, Denver (8/31/2009 12:04:17 PM) I think Jenna will do a good job. She inherited brains, talent, looks, and class from Laura. Everybody uses connections at one time or another.
	Report Comment Ignatz, Broken Bow (8/31/2009 12:33:34 PM) Apparently colleges and universities aren't turning out any journalist/communication majors anymore nor are there any qualified people at local tv markets looking to improve their lot in life after years of looking for the big ring. Another Bush family success story!
	Report Comment Serenity, Tulsa (8/31/2009 12:36:03 PM) Yes, she will be ok if she inherited the intelligence from her father.
	Report Comment IrishQuaker, Tulsa (8/31/2009 1:14:41 PM) Great! I think she'll be fun. She looks more like Laura every day. I can't wait.
	Report Comment Tim Denver, Denver (8/31/2009 2:27:09 PM) "Yes, she will be ok if she inherited the intelligence from her father." Jenna's father had no intelligence genes to pass on.
	Report Comment out here in the middle, Sand Springs (8/31/2009 3:11:14 PM) I think it is funny when people say that W has no intelligence. Yale grad. Harvard MBA. Jet pilot. Twice elected president. I don't know about you, but that sounds pretty smart to me.

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