First Read : Norah O'Donnell

Palin book means record sales in Mich.

Domenico Montanaro — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 16:03:00 GMT

From MSNBC's Norah O'Donnell and Adam VerdugoGRAND RAPIDS, Mich. -- Huge lines this morning meant a record number of book sales at the Grand Rapids Barnes & Noble. A spokeswoman for Harper Collins tells NBC News more than 1,000 copies of "Going Rogue" have been sold. The bookstore has already run out of wristbands for those standing in line since early this morning. That means the rest of those who waited in the cold will likely not get a chance to get their book signed by Sarah Palin tonight....(read more)

Top McCain adviser defends campaign

Domenico Montanaro — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 21:07:00 GMT

From MSNBC's Norah O'DonnellSen. John McCain's longtime friend and former chief of staff, Mark Salter, has just issued a statement about Palin's accusations. Salter, who co-authored McCain's books, defends Nicolle Wallace's actions throughout the campaign. Palin suggests in the book that Wallace was a double-agent for Couric because Wallace had worked at CBS News prior to the campaign. From Salter: "After we had been criticized in the press for a lack of disciplined messaging earlier in the...(read more)

Palin tour takes page from campaign

Petra Cahill — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 15:52:00 GMT

From MSNBC's Norah O'Donnell
Sarah Barracuda is back.

The feisty former governor of Alaska is set to embark on a whirlwind campaign-style "Going Rogue" book tour that in its first week will take her to half a dozen battleground states.

Palin will make two to three stops a day traveling in a bus emblazoned with the cover of her book. The imagery and pace of her travel is almost certain to evoke images of an early presidential campaign foray, especially as she plans a December 6 visit to Iowa, site of the first in the nation presidential caucuses.

VIDEO: Oprah Tweets about Palin interview.

The book is also likely to include some juicy tidbits about the drama inside the McCain-Palin campaign. Steve Schmidt, McCain's campaign manager, recently said nominating Palin in 2012 would be "catastrophic" for the GOP. Palin's advisors have indicated privately that there will be some score-settling in her autobiography.

"There's nothing we didn't talk about," Oprah Winfrey reported last night in a video linked to her Twitter account. "Lots of her supporters didn't think she should come here." Oprah said they talked about Palin's daughter Bristol's pregnancy, Levi Johnston, Palin's infant son Trigg, and the state of Palin's marriage. "It was really an interesting interview," Palin said.

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Palin vs. Levi -- again

Mark Murray — Wed, 28 Oct 2009 19:41:00 GMT

From NBC's Norah O'Donnell and Matt GlickLevi Johnston, the estranged father of Sarah Palin's grandson, told CBS in an interview that -- among other things -- Palin had joked about her son Trig, who has Down's Syndrome. Palin has released this statement through her spokesperson Meg Stapleton, which appears to refer to Levi's agreement to pose for Playgirl magazine: We have purposefully ignored the mean spirited, malicious and untrue attacks on our family. We, like many, are appalled...(read more)

Palin holds fire for now

firstread — Fri, 02 Oct 2009 19:27:00 GMT

From NBC's Norah O'Donnell and Adam VerdugoEx-Alaskan Governor Sarah Palin is holding her fire now for former running mate John McCain's advisors but there are hints that she'll have plenty to share in her forthcoming book, "Going Rogue." Palin's spokesman, Meg Stapleton, suggested there will be plenty of material to respond to former McCain campaign manager Steve Schmidt's comments today that a Palin presidential nomination in 2012 would be catastrophic. Stapleton tells NBC, "The Governor...(read more)

GOP gets third round of questions

Domenico Montanaro — Thu, 16 Jul 2009 16:15:00 GMT

From MSNBC's Norah O'Donnell and Adam VerdugoRepublicans requested and were granted a third round of questioning of Judge Sonia Sotomayor. Each Senator gets 10 minutes. Most of the questions will likely be from Republicans....(read more)

J.Crew capitalizing on Obama girls?

Domenico Montanaro — Wed, 08 Jul 2009 14:53:00 GMT

From MSNBC's Norah O'Donnell J.Crew today is flashing on the front-page of its crewcuts section, "The famous coats you've been waiting for." When you click the link, you can pre-order the peach and purple coats Malia and Sasha Obama wore to their father's inauguration in January. The preppy clothing line is already taking heat for trying to profit off the Obamas' decision to sport their clothes. Yesterday, a spokesman for J.Crew insisted they never sent out a...(read more)

Palin to attend GOP fundraising dinner

Mark Murray — Mon, 08 Jun 2009 19:47:00 GMT

From NBC's Norah O'Donnell and Mark MurrayAlaska Gov. Sarah Palin is now back on again for tonight's big Republican fundraising dinner, according to Republican sources. "Our understanding is she will be attending and will sit at Sen. Cornyn's table," National Republican Senatorial Committee communications director Brian Walsh told NBC News. Another GOP source adds, "She's coming, not speaking… She will be recognized at the event." Also to be in attendance at tonight's dinner, per a Republican...(read more)

Palin still attending Indiana fundraiser

Mark Murray — Wed, 01 Apr 2009 19:45:00 GMT

From MSNBC's Norah O'DonnellSarah Palin's dinner date with Republicans in Washington may be off, but she's still planning a political trip in two weeks to Indiana to attend a Right to Life fundraiser. Her political travel is likely to raise new questions. Her spokeswoman said she would not commit to a Senate-House GOP dinner in June because she was focused on Alaska state business -- not politics. On April 16, Palin will be attending the Vanderburgh County Right to Life dinner in Evansville,...(read more)

Bayh forms moderate working group

Mark Murray — Wed, 18 Mar 2009 16:37:00 GMT

From MSNBC's Norah O'Donnell As he announced on Morning Joe today, Sen. Evan Bayh is forming a Moderate Dems Working group that will meet every other Tuesday before the Democratic caucus to discuss legislative strategies and ideas.Per Bayh's office, the group's goal "is to work with the Senate leadership and the new administration to craft common-sense solutions to urgent national problems." Video: Bayh is forming a 15-person working group focused on fiscal responsibility.Here's...(read more)