Dee Dee Myers

Last updated

Todd S. Purdum
​
(m. 1997)​
Dee Dee Myers
Dee Dee Myers press secretary Bill Clinton (48592037267).jpg
Myers in 1996
19th White House Press Secretary
In office
January 20, 1993 –December 22, 1994
Children2
Education Santa Clara University (BA)

Margaret Jane "Dee Dee" Myers (born September 1, 1961) is an American political analyst who served as the 19th White House Press Secretary during the first two years of the Clinton administration. She was the first woman and the second-youngest person to hold that position. Myers later co-hosted the news program Equal Time on CNBC, and was a consultant on The West Wing. She was the inspiration for fictional White House Press Secretary C. J. Cregg. She is also the author of the 2008 New York Times best-selling book, [1] Why Women Should Rule the World. In 2020, she joined the Gavin Newsom administration as Senior Advisor to the Governor and Director of the Governor's Office of Business and Economic Development. [2]

Contents

Personal life

Margaret Jane Myers was born in 1961 at Quonset Point in North Kingstown, Rhode Island, to Stephen and Judy Myers. Her nickname, "Dee Dee", originated when her sister could not pronounce "baby". [3]

Myers spent most of her formative years in Valencia, Santa Clarita, California. Her father was a Navy aviator who completed two tours of duty in the Vietnam War, [4] and her mother worked as a real estate agent. [5]

Myers is a graduate of William S. Hart High School and Santa Clara University (1983). [6]

Myers met her husband, Todd Purdum, the national editor for Vanity Fair , former White House correspondent, and Los Angeles bureau chief for The New York Times , during the 1992 presidential campaign. [5] The couple, who married in 1997, have two children, Kate and Stephen, and live in Los Angeles, California. [6] [7]

Political career

Myers' career in political communications began shortly after graduating from college, taking a full-time role on the 1984 presidential campaign of Walter Mondale. [4] She later served as a field representative for California State Senator Art Torres, [8] and as assistant press secretary in the office of Los Angeles Mayor Tom Bradley and on his 1986 campaign for California governor. [9] She was also a spokesperson for Michael Dukakis' 1988 presidential bid and Dianne Feinstein's 1990 California gubernatorial campaign, [4] and served as campaign manager for Frank Jordan's 1991 run for San Francisco mayor. [10]

Clinton years

Myers joined Bill Clinton's presidential campaign team in 1991 [11] and, following the 1992 presidential election, was named Clinton's first White House Press Secretary, [4] a role she held from January 20, 1993, to December 22, 1994. She was the first woman to serve in that position, as well as being the second-youngest overall, having taken the job at the age of 31. [12] Myers is sometimes cited as the youngest-ever White House Press Secretary; however, Ron Ziegler, Richard Nixon's press secretary, was 29 when he assumed the role in January 1969. [13]

According to the Detroit Free Press , Myers earned a reputation for her "humour and patience" in handling the White House press corps, often delivering "quick one-liners" while issuing daily press briefings. [14] Until September 1994, when she was given the title of Assistant to the President, [15] she held the lesser title of "deputy assistant" and had a lower salary than previous White House Press Secretaries. [16] She also lacked consistent access to Clinton's inner circle. [17] This was frequently noted in news coverage about Myers throughout her term, [4] [17] and is addressed in her 2008 book, Why Women Should Rule The World. [18]

Post-White House career

After the Clinton administration, she became a political analyst and commentator, appearing on television and speaking at events on politics and the media. [6] [19]

In May 1995, Myers became the co-host of political talk show Equal Time on CNBC. She initially hosted the show opposite Mary Matalin, [20] and later opposite Bay Buchanan. [21] In 1997, she was the winning contestant on an episode of Celebrity Jeopardy! , beating Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. and Representative Jesse Jackson, Jr. [22] Myers has also appeared as a guest on other television programs, including The Today Show , [23] Charlie Rose , [24] and ABC's Nightline . [25] She also appeared as herself in the 1997 Robert Zemeckis film, Contact .

Writer Aaron Sorkin recruited Myers to serve as a consultant and script advisor on the Emmy Award-winning TV series The West Wing , beginning in 1999. The character of C. J. Cregg (played by Allison Janney), the White House Press Secretary on the series, was partially inspired by Myers. [26] [27] News articles have also reported that she may have served as the basis for the character of Daisy Green in the novel and film Primary Colors , played by Maura Tierney. [28] [29]

Commentator

Myers has contributed to Vanity Fair since July 1995, originally as a Washington editor, and since 1997 as a contributing editor. [9] She is the author of the 2008 New York Times best-selling book Why Women Should Rule The World, about women taking on positions of leadership and her own experiences in the White House. [6] [30] Her writings have also appeared in a number of other publications, including the Los Angeles Times , [31] The New York Times , Time, The Washington Post , O: the Oprah Magazine , Politico , and The Huffington Post . [6] Since leaving the White House, Myers has also been invited to speak at numerous events, usually on the topics of women's issues, the media and politics. [6] [19] In 2011, she became a brand ambassador for Jones New York's Empower your Confidence campaign, and appeared as a model in advertisements for the brand. [12]

Public affairs consulting

Myers joined The Glover Park Group in September 2010, as a managing director of public affairs. [32] Her role at the firm involves consulting with clients on communications strategy, marketing and reputation management. [8] In January 2013 she was the spokeswoman for Paula Broadwell during the Petraeus scandal. [33]

Corporate communications

In September 2014, Myers became the head of corporate communications at Warner Bros. [34] She departed from this position in February 2020. [35]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tipper Gore</span> Former Second Lady of the United States and co-founder of the PMRC

Mary Elizabeth "Tipper" Gore is an American social issues advocate. She was the second lady of the United States from 1993 to 2001 through her marriage to 45th vice president Al Gore in 1970, although they separated in 2010.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jane Dee Hull</span> Governor of Arizona from 1997 to 2003

Jane Dee Hull was an American politician and educator who was the 20th governor of Arizona from 1997 to 2003. She ascended to the office following the resignation of Fife Symington; Hull was elected in her own right in 1998 and served one term. She was the first woman formally elected as Governor of Arizona, and the second woman to serve in the office after Rose Mofford. She was a member of the Republican Party.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">George Stephanopoulos</span> American government official, journalist, and writer (born 1961)

George Robert Stephanopoulos is an American television host, political commentator, and former Democratic advisor. Stephanopoulos currently is a coanchor with Robin Roberts and Michael Strahan on Good Morning America, and host of This Week, ABC's Sunday morning current events news program.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Warren Christopher</span> American lawyer, diplomat and politician (1925–2011)

Warren Minor Christopher was an American lawyer, diplomat and politician. During Bill Clinton's first term as president, he served as the 63rd United States Secretary of State.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Dorothy Howell Rodham</span> American homemaker and mother of Hillary Rodham Clinton

Dorothy Emma Rodham was an American homemaker and the mother of former First Lady, U.S. Senator, United States Secretary of State, and 2016 Democratic Party presidential nominee Hillary Rodham Clinton.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Liz Carpenter</span> American writer (1920–2010)

Mary Elizabeth Sutherland Carpenter was a writer, feminist, reporter, media advisor, speechwriter, political humorist, and public relations expert. As the first woman executive assistant to Vice President Lyndon Baines Johnson from 1961 to 1963, and then as press secretary for First Lady Lady Bird Johnson from 1963 to 1969, Carpenter was a prominent member of the Johnson White House and also a close personal friend of the Johnsons.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Todd S. Purdum</span> American journalist (born 1959)

Todd Stanley Purdum is an American journalist who works as a national editor and political correspondent for Vanity Fair.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Democratic Governors Association</span> Organization of U.S. Democratic governors

The Democratic Governors Association (DGA) is a Washington, D.C.-based 527 organization founded in 1983, consisting of U.S. state and territorial governors affiliated with the Democratic Party. The mission of the organization is to provide party support to the election and re-election of Democratic gubernatorial candidates. The DGA's Republican counterpart is the Republican Governors Association. The DGA is not directly affiliated with the non-partisan National Governors Association. Meghan Meehan-Draper is currently the executive director of the DGA, while Tim Walz is the current chair.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Hillary Clinton</span> American politician and diplomat (born 1947)

Hillary Diane Rodham Clinton is an American politician and diplomat who served as the 67th United States secretary of state in the administration of Barack Obama from 2009 to 2013, as a U.S. senator representing New York from 2001 to 2009, and as the first lady of the U.S. to president Bill Clinton from 1993 to 2001. A member of the Democratic Party, she was the party's nominee in the 2016 U.S. presidential election, becoming the first woman to win a presidential nomination by a major U.S. political party and the first woman to win the popular vote for U.S. president.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Dana Perino</span> American political commentator (born 1972)

Dana Marie Perino is an American political commentator and author who was the 26th White House Press Secretary, under President George W. Bush from September 14, 2007, to January 20, 2009. She was the second female White House Press Secretary, after Dee Dee Myers who served during the Clinton administration.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Hillary Clinton 2008 presidential campaign</span> Political campaign for United States presidency

The 2008 presidential campaign of Hillary Rodham Clinton, then junior United States senator from New York, was announced on her website on January 20, 2007. Hillary Clinton was previously the First Lady of the United States and First Lady of Arkansas prior to her election as U.S. Senator from New York. She is also the wife of former President Bill Clinton. Clinton was the source of much media speculation since having expressed interest in being a candidate in the 2008 presidential election since at least October 2002.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bob Hattoy</span> American activist (1950–2007)

Bob Hattoy was an American activist on issues related to gay rights, AIDS and the environment.

Gary Maloney is an American political consultant specializing in research, strategy, media and debating for candidates of the Republican National Party. He is president of the Jackson-Alvarez Group, a consulting firm located in Virginia. Former clients include Rudolph Giuliani, Haley Barbour, Steve Forbes, Connie Mack, Mike Huckabee, George Pataki, George Allen, James Gilmore, Strom Thurmond, Christine Todd Whitman, Mel Martinez, all four Republican national committees, and several state parties.

Ellen Moran is the Vice-Chancellor for Strategic Communications and Marketing at the University of Pittsburgh. She previously served as Chief of Staff at the US Department of Commerce under Secretary Gary Locke from April 2009 to August 2011. She previously held the position of White House Communications Director. Her predecessor was Kevin Sullivan, who held the position under the Bush administration. Prior to her post at the White House, she was executive director of EMILY's List.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ann Devroy</span> American political journalist

Ann Mary Devroy was an American political journalist. She was a White House correspondent for 15 years, for the Gannett Company, USA Today (1979–1985), and The Washington Post (1989–1997). She covered four presidents including Jimmy Carter, Ronald Reagan, George H. W. Bush and Bill Clinton, and 10 White House chiefs of staff.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2016 Democratic Party vice presidential candidate selection</span>

This article lists potential candidates for the Democratic nomination for Vice President of the United States in the 2016 election. Former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, the 2016 Democratic nominee for President of the United States, chose Senator Tim Kaine of Virginia as her running mate. The formal nomination took place at the 2016 Democratic National Convention. The Clinton–Kaine ticket lost the 2016 presidential election to the Republican Trump–Pence ticket, and Kaine returned to the Senate following the campaign.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2016 United States presidential election in California</span>

The 2016 United States presidential election in California was held on Tuesday, November 8, 2016, as part of the 2016 United States presidential election in which all 50 states plus the District of Columbia participated. California voters chose electors to represent them in the Electoral College via a popular vote, pitting the Republican Party's nominee, businessman Donald Trump, and running mate Indiana Governor Mike Pence against Democratic Party nominee, former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, and her running mate Virginia Senator Tim Kaine. California had 55 electoral votes in the Electoral College, the most of any state.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sarah Huckabee Sanders</span> Governor of Arkansas since 2023

Sarah Elizabeth Huckabee Sanders is an American politician serving since 2023 as the 47th governor of Arkansas. Sanders is the daughter of Mike Huckabee, who served from 1996 to 2007 as Arkansas's 44th governor. A member of the Republican Party, she was the 31st White House press secretary, serving under President Donald Trump from 2017 to 2019. Sanders was the third woman to be White House press secretary. She also served as a senior advisor on Trump's 2016 presidential campaign. Sanders became the Republican nominee in the 2022 Arkansas gubernatorial election and won, defeating Democratic nominee Chris Jones.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Presidential transition of Bill Clinton</span>

The presidential transition of Bill Clinton began when he won the United States presidential election on November 3, 1992, and became the president-elect. Clinton was formally elected by the Electoral College on December 14, 1992. The results were certified by a joint session of Congress on January 8, 1993, and the transition ended when Clinton was inaugurated at noon EST on January 20, 1993.

References

  1. ↑ Why Women Should Rule the World. Harper Perennial. February 24, 2009. Retrieved September 11, 2015.
  2. ↑ "Governor Newsom Announces Dee Dee Myers as Senior Advisor and Director of the Governor's Office of Business and Economic Development (GO-Biz)". California Governor. December 11, 2020. Retrieved June 8, 2021.
  3. ↑ Cannon, Angie (June 12, 1994). "Myers Gives White House A Different Kind Of Face -- Clinton's Young Press Chief Learns Fast Under Fire". The Seattle Times. Retrieved September 14, 2022.
  4. 1 2 3 4 5 Masters, Kim (April 1, 1993). "In The Cage With The Beasts". The Washington Post.
  5. 1 2 "Weddings; Dee Dee Myers, Todd S. Purdum". The New York Times. May 25, 1997.
  6. 1 2 3 4 5 6 "Dee Dee Myers". The Huffington Post. Retrieved August 9, 2011.
  7. ↑ Purdum, Todd S. (May 17, 2020). "Stuck at Home With My 20-Year-Old Daughter". The Atlantic. Retrieved July 23, 2020.
  8. 1 2 "Dee Dee Myers". Glover Park Group.com. Archived from the original on August 3, 2011. Retrieved August 14, 2011.
  9. 1 2 "Dee Dee Myers". Vanity Fair. News Communications Inc. July 7, 2011. Archived from the original on January 13, 2012. Retrieved August 12, 2011.
  10. ↑ Jerry Roberts (November 9, 1991). "'Niceness' Issue May Be the Theme of SF Mayoral Race". The San Francisco Chronicle. p. A4.
  11. ↑ Devroy, Ann (December 23, 1994). "Departing Myers Recalls Jubilation, Tribulations;". The Washington Post.
  12. 1 2 Ilyashov, Alexandra (May 11, 2011). "Dispatch: Jones New York Empowerment Breakfast'". Daily Front Row. Archived from the original on May 7, 2012. Retrieved August 11, 2011.
  13. ↑ Cornwell, Rupert (February 12, 2003). "Ron Ziegler". The Independent. UK. Retrieved August 12, 2011.[ dead link ]
  14. ↑ Cannon, Angie (June 21, 1994). "The Answer Woman Dee Dee Myers Is On The Front Lines". Detroit Free Press.
  15. ↑ Ruth Marcus; Ann Devroy (September 24, 1994). "Not Exactly All Shook Up; Myers Stays On in White House Restructuring". The Washington Post. p. A1.
  16. ↑ Joyce Price (January 23, 1993). "First woman to be press secretary gets title, little else". The Washington Times. p. A4.
  17. 1 2 Matthews, Christopher (October 6, 1994). "Dee Dee Myers is a hero for our time". Houston Chronicle.
  18. ↑ Agrell, Siri (May 8, 2008). "Pretty Complicated In Pink". The Globe and Mail.
  19. 1 2 "Dee Dee Myers to be keynote speaker at Women of Influence event". The Kansas City Star. April 21, 2006.
  20. ↑ Johnson, Peter (May 26, 1995). "Ex-Clinton staffer Myers to co-host Equal Time". USA Today.
  21. ↑ Jicha, Tom (July 11, 1996). "Bay Buchanan To Voice Opinions On Equal Time". The Sun-Sentinel. Retrieved August 12, 2011.
  22. ↑ "Dee Dee Myers wins celebrity Jeopardy! in Washington". The Baltimore Sun. November 3, 1997.
  23. ↑ Burdman, Pamela (March 27, 1999). "Dee Dee Myers Named to CSU Board". The San Francisco Chronicle.
  24. ↑ "Guest: Dee Dee Myers". CharlieRose.com. Archived from the original on January 6, 2011. Retrieved August 13, 2011.
  25. ↑ "ABC, PBS teaming up for programs on Clinton; 'Nightline' working with 'Frontline' on White House story". Milwaukee Journal Sentinel (Wisconsin). November 10, 2000. p. 6B.
  26. ↑ Holloway, Diane (May 14, 2006). "'West Wing'". Austin American-Statesman. Cox Newspapers. Archived from the original on September 27, 2007. Retrieved August 9, 2011.
  27. ↑ Combs, Cody (February 8, 2011). "Dee Dee Myers talks about helping Aaron Sorkin with the 'West Wing'". CNN. Turner Broadcasting System. Retrieved August 9, 2011.
  28. ↑ Oczypok, Kate. "Reception and discussion of Washington Post White House Correspondent Anne Kornblut's new book". The Hill. News Communications Inc. Archived from the original on April 19, 2012. Retrieved August 11, 2011.
  29. ↑ Walmark, Henrietta (June 6, 2008). "Critic's Choice". The Globe and Mail. p. R28.
  30. ↑ Norris, Michele (March 17, 2008). "Dee Dee Myers". NPR. Retrieved August 13, 2011.
  31. ↑ Dee Dee Myers (June 6, 1999). "In Pursuit of Traditional Power". Los Angeles Times. p. 1M.
  32. ↑ Rothstein, Betsy (September 7, 2010). "Dee Dee Joins Glover Park Group". Mediabistro. Retrieved August 14, 2011.
  33. ↑ "Broadwell hires Washington PR firm to deal with Petraeus scandal". Reuters. November 20, 2012.
  34. ↑ "Dee Dee Myers named head of Warner Bros. corporate communications". Los Angeles Times. April 16, 2014. Retrieved July 23, 2017.
  35. ↑ "Dee Dee Myers exits job as Warner Bros. head of communications - Los Angeles Times". Los Angeles Times. February 24, 2020. Retrieved December 5, 2020.
Political offices
Preceded by White House Press Secretary
1993–1994		Succeeded by
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.