MSNBC host Alex Wagner will be in Chicago on Wednesday to lead a University of Chicago panel on the racial future of the electorate. Heady stuff, but she’s used to it. The topic comes up frequently on her show, plus she’s friends with David Axelrod, who heads up the U. of C. institute that’s sponsoring the talk. She’s also a newlywed, married to Sam Kass, the first-ever White House Senior Policy Advisor on Nutrition, and personal chef to the First Family. A U. of C. lab school grad, he just ended his tenure at the big house this past December.
Here’s what Wagner had to say on politics, living with America’s top nutritionist and healthy eating.
How do you balance the stress of what you do with what you eat? Is it easier to manage fast-food cravings with Sam in the house?
I share Sam’s high priority on health. In high-stress jobs it’s important to eat healthy.
Do you all cook together? I know a lot of couples do the eastern seaboard marriage, but how does that work when he’s in DC and you’re in NYC?
Sam just wrapped up his tenure at the end of the year and he’s now full time in New York. He’s a very talented chef. Sometimes we eat out. Sometimes we cook at home. He cooks most of the time. I do most of the tasting.
What’s your foodie specialty?
I don’t know that I have a specialty … but I’m enthusiastic about a lot of cuisines. My mom is from Burma. I enjoy Mediterranean. I’m definitely a global eater.
How do you prep for a deep discussion on the future of the electorate? Why did you decide to lead this tough panel?
Not only is this subject matter that I’m interested in, but it’s a really easy decision to make. In terms of prep beforehand I definitely have a great team here at MSNBC that helps me with research. Plus I read up and follow the news cycle. There’s a raging debate [in the parties] on how best to speak to minorities.
• Wagner’s policy discussion, The Changing Electorate: The Impact of Race and Culture at the Voting Booth, kicks off at 6 p.m. Wednesday at the Chicago Theological Seminary. Admission is free.
