Amy Holmes

Acclaimed Political Commentator and Host of PBS's “In Principle”
  • Well-known pundit and former news anchor of MSNBC’s Way Too Early show
  • Razor-sharp wit, no-nonsense insight, and keen attention to the otherwise-unnoticed details
  • Offers a humorous, edgy, and intellectually stimulating overview of the political landscape

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Amy Holmes is a familiar face with an unconventional voice in political news. As an on-air political analyst, Amy dissects and debates the issues of the day, appearing regularly on CNN, MSNBC, Fox News, and PBS. Since 2020, Amy has served as a writer on Real Time with Bill Maher, the renowned political talk show that airs weekly on HBO. Previously, she co-hosted the PBS weekly show, In Principle, where she conducted serious, thought provoking, in-depth interviews with the nation's leading thinkers and newsmakers, including George W. Bush, Microsoft’s Bill Gates, and Bill Maher, among others. She is the former host of the daily MSNBC morning show Way Too Early and was a news anchor on Glenn Beck’s TheBlaze TV and a host of TheBlaze’s Real News. In addition to working with TheBlaze and MSNBC, she co-hosted The Washington Times and Talk Radio Network's America’s Morning News, a nationally syndicated morning radio show heard coast-to-coast by over 1.5 million listeners daily. She has interviewed national newsmakers including Donald Trump, Donald Rumsfeld, Karl Rove, leading senators, congressmen, and governors—alongside best-selling authors and celebrities including Oscar-winning director Oliver Stone. Amy won the "Thurgood Marshall Community Leader" Award for covering both the 2006 and 2008 political seasons for CNN, appearing regularly on the network’s top rated shows including AC360Larry King Live, Wolf Blitzer’s Situation Room, CNN’s Election Center, and CNN International’s weekly political roundup. Exclusively represented by Leading Authorities speakers bureau, Amy is whip smart, projecting a warm and accessible style that has earned her guest spots on ABC’s The View, and HBO’s Real Time with Bill Maher.

Amy’s political experience transcends commentary and analysis: Formerly a senior speechwriter for former Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist, Amy had an up-close view of the inner workings of the nation’s capital and a front row seat to the political battles that make national news. Amy served as a senior speechwriter to Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist for three years, writing on topics ranging from economic and energy policy to judicial nominations and the Iraq war. Prior to joining Senator Frist, Amy was a senior staff member for the Corporation for National and Community Service, the federal agency which oversees AmeriCorps. She also served as economic project director and campus project director for Washington non-profit Independent Women’s Forum.

Born in Lusaka, Zambia, and raised in Seattle, Washington, Amy began her career in television as a Fox News Channel contributor. In 2002, she hosted Lead Story on Black Entertainment Television where she interviewed administration officials, journalists, and top newsmakers. She has appeared on Meet the Press, NBC Nightly NewsDatelineCBS Early Morning Show, and PBS’s To the Contrary. While providing analysis for CNN, Amy also appeared as a member of HBO’s Real Time Real Reporters team providing stories and commentary on the 2008 presidential election. She also guest hosted WNYC’s “The Takeaway” with John Hockenberry, guest anchored for ABC News Now in ABC’s New York headquarters, and appeared on the E! network’s political specials.

Her political commentary has appeared in numerous national publications including the Washington Post, National Review, and as a USA Today guest contributor. Holmes has been featured in NewsweekGlamourMademoiselleHoneyHarper's BazaarC Magazine, the Ritz Carlton MagazineWashingtonian, and Washington Life

In May 2000, Holmes was named one of People magazine’s “50 Most Beautiful People.” In 2016, she signed on to appear in the Fox network drama Shots Fired.

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Speaker Video

Amy Holmes: Midterm Elections 2018

Politics, Politics, Politics! Amy Holmes, a widely seen and respected pundit, analyzes the political news of the day. Drawing on her time working for former Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist, as well as a keen pulse on the news that her time in political journalism has helped hone, Holmes touches on stories making headlines while explaining the inner workings of a political party and how they may evolve. With 15 years’ experience in Washington, DC, she offers a unique look into the future. Due to her razor-sharp wit, no-nonsense insight, and keen attention to the otherwise-unnoticed details, she is one of the most recognizable voices in political commentary. She offers a unique look into both the future of American politics under the current administration, the Congressional leadership, and all the current hot-button issues--and what it all means for the American people. Her presentation is humorous, edgy, and intellectually stimulating—and sure to inform audiences about the up-to-the-minute pulse of American politics.

The Battle of the Sexes. The face and voice of women’s community ToneNetworks, and a founding member of the Independent Women’s Forum, the sassy alternative to NOW, Holmes examines the impact women are making. A student of politics with a degree in economics from Princeton, she discusses women’s rights, labor status, ethics, and the battle of the sexes. She argues that women are not a monolithic voting bloc, but rather a diverse constituency from different regions, classes, ethnic backgrounds, and economic concerns.

New Media in Today’s Campaigns. In today’s political scene, the New Media is quickly transforming the canvassing, campaigning, and electoral processes. From live address streams on YouTube to jointly moderated debates by CNN and MTV, the next wave of voters is impacting—and impacted by—the wave of the technological future. Holmes discusses the latest trends in politics and in blasting information across the airwaves as well as cyberspace, and how the two influence each other.

Ideal Debate Partners. Amy Holmes engages in exciting point-counter-points with some of our other featured speakers, among them—Peter Beinart, senior fellow at the Council on Foreign Relations, and Chuck Todd, NBC News’ Political Director. Holmes brings her trademark on-air debate style, her unconventional insight, and humor, while establishing a personal connection with the audience.

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