All Things CNN: Jessica Yellin Joins CNN

Over the last few months, we've said goodbye to several CNN correspondents- many of them were based out of the Washington, DC bureau. I've found myself joking that one day, Wolf Blitzer will the only one left- he will be the DC bureau. Joking aside, journalist turn over is part of the normal course of business. So tonight, I'm happy to pass along the recent announcement that Jessica Yellin will be joining CNN.

Below is an excerpt from the August 1, 2007 CNN press release:

Jessica Yellin, a Washington-based correspondent for ABC News, has joined CNN's Washington, D.C. bureau, it was announced today by Jon Klein, president of CNN/U.S. Yellin, who has covered the White House for ABC since November 2004, will become a Capitol Hill correspondent for CNN.
"We're fortunate to have someone as plugged-in and passionate as Jessica about political reporting," Klein said. "She's skilled at finding and telling those stories emanating from Washington that also matter to people across the nation."
"It is an honor to be able to contribute to CNN's first-rate political coverage and an opportunity I couldn't miss," Yellin said. "I am thrilled to be joining the network as it prepares coverage of what promises to be one of the most intense election seasons in recent history."
As part of ABC News' Washington team, Yellin reported on politics and culture for such programs as World News, Good Morning America and Nightline. Yellin joined ABC in July 2003 and has reported from around the globe -- with assignments in Russia , China, Europe, Latin America and Mongolia.

In June, 2006, the Washingtonian published a List of Powerful Women to Watch. Yellin was one of the women mentioned. Below is an excerpt of the article:

To be successful, a lot has to fall into place: brains, drive, personality, and a little luck. These ten women have all those things and more—and they haven’t reached 40 yet. From the president of an IT company to a circus producer, they cover a lot of ground. Look for them on our 100 Most Powerful Women list in years to come.
Jessica Yellin
It was “an out-of-body experience”
She interviews fishermen in Maine and covers the Michael Jackson trial and meets the President on Air Force One—an “out-of-body experience.” Jessica Yellin rarely has a boring day at the office. The Californian worked her way from Harvard political-science and women’s-studies major to local news reporter in Orlando to her current job as White House correspondent for ABC News.
She appreciates the importance of her job. “There are only so many seats in the briefing room,” she says. “You have a responsibility to question your president. I’m a little bit corny about that, but I take it very seriously.”
Before being named to her current position in February 2005, Yellin, 35, had worked as a correspondent for ABC News and overnight anchor for MSNBC. She started her broadcast career at Central Florida News 13, a position she got as a result of her hairstylist’s connections.
But before that lucky break, she had been turned down for jobs repeatedly, sometimes because of inexperience, sometimes for reasons like the color of her hair.
A recent highlight for Yellin was an impromptu interview with President Bush on Air Force One about the controversial deal that would have allowed a Dubai company to operate US ports. She’s traveled all over the world with the President and learned a lot along the way.
“Don’t listen to anyone who tells you no,” she says. “I’ve been discouraged by so many people along the way. Focus on what you want, and you can do it.”

Does anyone else notice a trend here? In 2006, the CBS White House Correspondent joined CNN (John Roberts). This year, it's ABC's White House Correspondent. Is David Gregory of NBC going to be next?

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Mystery Journalist