Elizabeth Alexander
Outgoing Press Secretary for Vice President Joseph R. Biden (January 2009 to May 2011)
-
Text Size
- Spouse: David Wade
- Web site
Alexander was born in Cleburne, Texas. In high school, she joined the band and the color guard. But her main passion, she said, was politics.
She earned a B.A. in political science and communications from Texas A&M University in 2001. In the days after the contested 2000 presidential election, she moved to Florida to help set up the Democrats' press shop.
Alexander won high marks for her work as a message manager and media go-to girl. She has been praised for her infectious laugh and her willingness to deal with the media respectfully. "Normally when 'it' hits the fan, a lot of these press secretaries vanish," NBC producer Ken Strickland told the National Journal. "Not her. When it gets ugly, she still answers the phone."
She has experience launching nationwide public relations and information campaigns, thanks in part to her stint with the United Nations Foundation, when she spearheaded an effort to develop media campaigns about U.N. causes around the world.
In the White House, Alexander worked closely with deputy Annie Tomasini. The two worked together on the 2008 campaign trail. She also helped Communications Director Jay Carney craft the vice president's message.
In the Senate, Alexander worked with Antony J. Blinken, the Foreign Relations Committee Democratic staff director and Dan Diller, Blinken's deputy. Blinken advised Biden during the 2008 campaign, and will likely also play a key role in the White House.
- Legistorm Website
- Cannon, Carl M. and Hegland, Corine, "Senate Foreign Relations Committee," National Journal, June 23, 2007
- Mike Allen's Playbook, Politico, November 7, 2010
- Smith, Matt, "CHS grad named Biden's press secretary," Cleburne Times-Review, Dec. 23, 2008
Featured Blogs & Columns
The Post Most: PoliticsMost-viewed stories, videos and galleries int he past two hours
Campaign 2012 tools
