Dana Perino

Dana Perino – Life, Career, and Notable Sayings

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Discover the full biography of Dana Perino (born May 9, 1972), American journalist, political commentator, and former White House Press Secretary. Explore her early life, rise in politics and media, legacy, and memorable quotes.

Introduction

Dana Marie Perino is an American political commentator, author, and television personality—and once a key figure in U.S. presidential communications. She served as the 26th White House Press Secretary under President George W. Bush (2007–2009) and later became a prominent on-air commentator at Fox News. Today, she hosts and co-hosts major news programs, writes books, and remains a vocal voice in political analysis and media.

Her journey—from small beginnings in the American West to the corridors of power in Washington—demonstrates perseverance, adaptability, and the intersection of journalism, politics, and public communication.

Early Life and Family

Dana Marie Perino was born on May 9, 1972 in Evanston, Wyoming, U.S. Denver, Colorado, which shaped much of her early identity and values.

Her father was named Leo Perino and her mother Janice “Jan” Perino.

She has a sister, Angie Perino.

From childhood, she was engaged in activities that built resilience—she has recounted chores on the family ranch, helping with animals, and learning responsibility early.

Youth and Education

Dana Perino attended Ponderosa High School in Parker, Colorado, a suburb southeast of Denver.

For her undergraduate studies, she enrolled at Colorado State University Pueblo (then known as the University of Southern Colorado), where she majored in Mass Communications with minors in Political Science and Spanish. KCCY-FM, working early-morning shifts.

After earning her bachelor’s degree (circa 1994) University of Illinois Springfield (UIS) to pursue a Master’s in Public Affairs Reporting.

Thus her training combined academic rigour, debate skills, and practical, on-the-ground journalism experience—preparing her for roles in both media and governmental communications.

Career and Achievements

Early Political & Governmental Roles

After her master’s work and early journalism, Perino entered political service:

• She first worked in Washington, D.C., as a staff assistant for Congressman Scott McInnis (R–CO).

• She then served nearly four years as press secretary to Rep. Dan Schaefer (R–CO), who at the time chaired the House Commerce subcommittee on Energy & Power.

• In 1998, when Schaefer retired, Perino and her husband moved to Great Britain for a period.

By 2001, Perino had returned to Washington to take a job as a spokesperson for the U.S. Department of Justice.

Later, she joined the White House Council on Environmental Quality (CEQ) as associate director of communications, overseeing media relations, message development, and public outreach on environmental, energy, and natural resources issues.

In 2005, she was promoted to White House Deputy Press Secretary under President George W. Bush.

From March 27 to April 30, 2007, she acted as Interim Press Secretary while Tony Snow underwent cancer treatment.

White House Press Secretary (2007–2009)

On August 31, 2007, President Bush announced that Tony Snow would step down and that Dana Perino would succeed him. She officially assumed the role on September 14, 2007. January 20, 2009.

She was the second woman ever to be a White House Press Secretary (after Dee Dee Myers under Bill Clinton) and the first Republican woman in that role.

During her tenure, she handled high-stakes communications, daily media briefings, crisis messaging, and was the face of the White House to the press corps. One notable incident: during a chaotic press conference in Baghdad on December 14, 2008—when a journalist threw shoes at President Bush and a struggle ensued—Perino was struck in the eye by a microphone stand.

Media & Commentary Career

After leaving the White House, Perino joined Fox News as a political commentator. The Five (a panel talk show) on Fox.

She also hosted her own show, The Daily Briefing with Dana Perino, which debuted October 2, 2017. America’s Newsroom with Bill Hemmer.

Beyond on-camera roles, she has engaged in other projects:

• In November 2009, she was nominated by President Obama to serve on the Broadcasting Board of Governors (later confirmed) to oversee U.S. government-backed international broadcasting.

• She taught part-time at George Washington University’s Graduate School of Political Management in political communications.

• In March 2011, she joined Crown Publishing (Crown Forum) as editorial director for a time.

• She launched a podcast with Chris Stirewalt, Perino & Stirewalt: I’ll Tell You What, on Fox. It ran until 2020.

• In 2023, she began hosting a new podcast, Perino on Politics, on Fox News Radio ahead of the 2024 election cycle.

• She also serves as a moderator and panel participant in GOP debates. In August 2023, she moderated the second GOP primary debate on Fox Business, posing a provocative question to candidates about “voting off” a contender.

Publishing & Advocacy

Dana Perino is also an author. Some of her published works include:

• And the Good News Is...: Lessons and Advice from the Bright Side (2015)

• Let Me Tell You About Jasper…: How My Best Friend Became America’s Dog (2016)

• Everything Will Be Okay: Life Lessons for Young Women (from a Former Young Woman) (2021)

She also founded Minute Mentoring, a program aimed at supporting and mentoring young women in leadership and communication fields.

Historical Context & Influence

Dana Perino’s career bridges journalism, government, and media, at a time when the lines between these domains have grown more porous. Her tenure as press secretary followed years of rising complexity in U.S. communications: 24-hour news cycles, digital media, crises in Iraq and domestic policy challenges.

Her role as a Republican female press secretary was significant in an era when communications roles were dominated by men—her visibility contributed to broader conversations about gender, media tone, and representation in the political sphere.

Her move to Fox News as a commentator and host exemplifies a broader trend of political operatives transitioning into media roles—blurring the boundary between journalism and advocacy. Her presence in podcasting and independent media shows how established media figures adapt to new formats in the digital age.

By moderating debates or deploying her platform for commentary, she continues to influence public discourse and the construction of political narratives.

Legacy and Impact

Though Perino’s legacy is still evolving, several themes stand out:

• Public communication leadership: Her time as press secretary demonstrated that clarity, composure, and credibility are essential in government messaging.

• Women in power roles: As one of the few female press secretaries, she has become a reference point for women navigating public communication and politics.

• Media-operator bridge: Her shift to commentary and hosting shows how experience in politics can inform media insights—and vice versa.

• Mentorship and voice: Through her books and programs like Minute Mentoring, she actively supports rising communicators, especially women, in shaping their paths.

• Adaptability: Her career reflects adaptability to changing media landscapes—from television to podcasting to digital platforms.

She models a path for public communicators who wish to move between government, journalism, and public commentary.

Personality, Strengths, and Critiques

From her public persona and interviews:

• Composed & strategic: In the often-frantic environment of media briefings and political communication, she is praised for poise and steadiness.

• Articulate & disciplined: Her background in debate and communications lends clarity and structure to her message.

• Empathetic & mentoring: Her writings and mentoring efforts suggest she values connection, encouragement, and giving back.

• Partisan viewpoint: As a commentator aligned with conservative and Republican perspectives, she sometimes draws criticism for bias—supporters see her as forthright, detractors as partisan.

• Balancing dual roles: The tension between being a former political operative and media commentator raises questions about neutrality and the blending of roles in contemporary media.

Her strengths lie especially in her ability to communicate complex ideas accessibly and to navigate high-pressure environments.

Notable Quotes & Observations

Here are a few memorable remarks attributed to Dana Perino:

• “Trust grows when power is pulverized, when authority is dispersed, when voices are heard.”

• “If you want to communicate well, you have to be willing to be misunderstood sometimes.”

• In an interview about her marriage: she remarked that meeting her husband on a flight was serendipitous and said, “Love is not a career-limiting choice.”

• On her role moderating a GOP debate: her challenge to candidates to “vote a fellow candidate off the island” was provocative, illustrating how moderators can shape tone in political contests.

These reflect her belief in communication, risk, and the interplay between public life and personal convictions.

Lessons from Dana Perino’s Journey

Dana Perino’s path offers several lessons:

1. Foundational training helps – Her grounding in communication, debate, and journalism prepared her for high-stakes roles.

2. Be willing to cross domains – Moving from journalism to public policy to media commentary shows flexibility and range.

3. Narrative matters – How you frame messages, even in crisis, determines perception.

4. Mentorship gives back – Her efforts in guiding younger women show that influence extends beyond one’s own career.

5. Own your story – Navigating scrutiny requires owning your voice, values, and narrative.

Her journey shows that with clarity, adaptability, and communication as a foundation, one can bridge media, politics, and public influence.

Conclusion

Dana Perino is more than a familiar face on cable news—she is a seasoned public communicator who has navigated the peaks of government service and the fast currents of media. From her early days studying communications in Colorado, through her tenure as White House Press Secretary, to her role as a media commentator and mentor, she illustrates the evolving intersections of politics, journalism, and public voice.