CBS News on Thursday morning announced that senior foreign affairs correspondent Margaret Brennan will be the next anchor of the Sunday morning politics show Face the Nation.
Brennan will anchor her first show in the role this Sunday. She is only the second woman to hold the role in the more than 60 years that Face the Nation has been on the air. Lesley Stahl hosted the show from 1983-1991.
Brennan is one of three CBS News journalists to have taken a turn hosting Face the Nation since John Dickerson signed off as the show’s full-time moderation on Jan. 21.
Brennan hosted the show on Feb. 4, while chief congressional correspondent Nancy Cordes took two turns hosting and chief White House correspondent Major Garrett hosted once. Brennan, Cordes and Garrett were considered the top three candidates for the job.
“Margaret’s ability to ask newsmakers tough but fair questions in a deft and respectful manner, her sharp news instincts, and her tremendous ability to make complicated subjects understandable make her the perfect person to lead us into the next chapter of the broadcast,” Face the Nation executive producer Mary Hager said in a statement. “The entire Face the Nation team is thrilled she’s taking over the anchor spot.”
The anchor role opened when Dickerson was tapped to replace the ousted Charlie Rose on CBS This Morning.
Brennan joined CBS News in 2012, after stops at Bloomberg News and CNBC. She will remain in her role as senior foreign correspondent while adding on Face the Nation moderating duties.
“Margaret’s coverage of the White House and the world make her the ideal moderator for this legendary CBS News franchise at this moment in time,” said CBS News president David Rhodes.
