Mark Smith (journalist)

Mark Storey Smith
Born New York
Nationality American
Occupation Journalist

Mark Storey Smith (born New York) is an American journalist, serving as Senior White House Correspondent for the Associated Press. He has been covering presidents since Jimmy Carter and has been present at multiple events throughout history, notably the fall of the Berlin Wall, Prince Charles' and Princess Diana's wedding, the impeachment of President Bill Clinton, and numerous presidential inaugurations.

He served as President of the White House Correspondent's Association in 2005, and most notably, hired Stephen Colbert as the evening's guest comedian, an incident which became known as "Colbertgate". He was mentioned in Colbert's book, I am America (And So Can You!). Also during his presidency, Smith oversaw the renovations of the White House Press Corps facilities, including the White House Press Briefing Office.[1]

In September 2011, he was rebuffed by critics for his transcription of President Obama's speech at a Congressional Black Caucus awards dinner. In the transcription, he purposefully left off the "g" in the words "complaining," "grumbling" and "crying." While Smith argues that he was transcribing the true dialect used by President Obama, critics argue that it was hideously racist, an effort to make Obama seem more "black."

Mark Smith is a native New Yorker, born in Long Island. He currently lives in the Washington, D.C. area with his wife.

References

  1. ↑ Nathan Andrew Wilson Was that Supposed to be Funny? A Rhetorical Analysis of Politics, 2008 Page 118 "Though he was invited to give the address by Mark Smith, Associated Press reporter and then-president of the White House Correspondents' Association, though many in the press were apparently fans of his show, and though Colbert ..."