Posted on 08/25/2010 10:30:22 AM PDT by jazusamo
Major Garrett, the Fox News White House correspondent whose recently acquired front-row seat has been the source of so much controversy, is leaving the network for print, Mediaite reports.
White House correspondents Wendell Goler and Mike Emanuel will take over the beat for Fox News.
From the release:
MAJOR GARRETT RETURNS TO PRINT JOURNALISM
Leaves FOX News Sept. 3
FOX News’ Chief White House correspondent Major Garrett announced today that he will leave the network effective Sept. 3 to return to his roots in print journalism. White House correspondents Wendell Goler and Mike Emanuel will assume joint coverage of the beat.
In making the announcement, Garrett said, “Slightly more than eight years ago, [FOX News Chairman & CEO] Roger Ailes, [former FOX News Executive Vice President] John Moody and [former FOX News Washington Managing Editor and current Senior Political Analyst] Brit Hume created a full-time reporting position for me in the Washington bureau. Our new Senior Vice President of News, Michael Clemente, has continued that support. Since August of 2002, the network and its top executives have given me every opportunity a journalist could hope for. I thank the network for giving me the chance to grow as a reporter and broadcaster.”
He continued, “Throughout my television career, I’ve known with certainty I would someday return to my roots in print journalism. That day has come. I will soon announce an exciting new phase of my career — one made possible in no small part by FOX News’ consistent support. It would take a lot — something near perfection — to lure me away from the best job I’ve ever had. Details to come.”
UPDATE: In a separate release issued minutes later, National Journal announced they had hired Garrett as a Congressional correspondent.
From the release:
National Journal Group announced today that award-winning political journalist Major Garrett is joining National Journal as a congressional correspondent, reporting and providing analysis across all of National Journal Group's publications.
Garrett comes to National Journal from Fox News Channel, where he is currently the Chief White House Correspondent. During his eight years at Fox News, Garrett also covered Congress, two presidential elections, the war in Iraq, and many other issues of national importance. He will join Sue Davis, recently hired from the Wall Street Journal, to lead National Journal's congressional coverage.
"Major Garrett is the embodiment of the new team we're building here at National Journal," said Editor-in-Chief Ron Fournier. "He is known across Washington as one of the hardest-working journalists in the business, a fierce competitor on his beat, and a good and decent man. It is a rare combination, and one we're incredibly lucky to be bringing into our newsroom."
Good luck to you Major, hope you find your calling.
This could get really interesting - I like Garrett. He seems to be cut from the same integrity cloth as Brit Hume.
I think Wendel sits in the front row seat
That fact may be related
I bet working in the White House now days is a heartbreak for anyone who loves the Constitution.
I fully agree and am sorry to see him leave.
The National Journal’s gain is Fox News’ loss. Major Garrett will be missed but I admire him for pursuing his goals and returning to print....and a much lower public profile.
Good luck to you Major, we always could trust your reporting.
Curious career move...and I like this guy...but to print media? I wonder if the commitment is firm? I was thinking of opening an express commuter rail line from Fargo to Butte...I could offer him a partnership!
Is it the person who retains the seat or the news organization that they represent?
Well said...Having to listen to the spin of the O administration on a daily basis would be very trying.
What bullsh*t. FNC has by far the largest audience in the media yet granting them a WH front row seat is somehow 'controversial'.
Laughing friggen out loud.
Gibbs likes Major Garrett. Garrett had stars in his eyes when he covered the Obama campaign. This doesn’t surprise me. I suspect his return to his print journalism roots is more a return to his liberal roots.
He was mostly fair and balanced in his reports. I wish him luck. Let’s see if he continues to be fair.
Well, it is Politico. :-)
Earlier, I thought I heard it said that the front row seat would be given to Fox, the other of the 4 networks.
I think it was awarded to Fox. I have seen Wendel there several times but never Major
Perhaps like Hollywood stars taking a turn for short pay on Broadway? Re-establishes professional cred between their more lucrative gigs in film.
I certainly agree, but what really bothered me was the Team Obama cheerleader uniform.
Yes, it is a very curious move. Seems like a step down (on the surface anyway). Wonder what, if any, back story there is here?
Is he leaving because Roger Ailes won’t promote him to Lieutenant Colonel Garrett?
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