NBC News’ love affair with children of powerful politicians continues. True, the daughter of former GOP presidential candidate John McCain already made frequent appearances on MSNBC. But news about her new gig follows the announcement last week that NBC had hired Chelsea Clinton. Former President George W. Bush’s daughter Jenna Bush also is a correspondent at the network. Too bad for professional journalists who don’t come from famous families and are looking for work at a time when there are few openings. Here’s the announcement:

NEW YORK – November 21, 2011 – Meghan McCain has joined MSNBC as a contributor, with her first appearance today at noon ET on “NOW with Alex Wagner.” She has been a frequent MSNBC guest since 2009.

“I couldn’t more be excited to be joining the MSNBC family,” said McCain. “It’s a unique opportunity to share my perspective as a Republican on a network I respect and have built a relationship with over the past two years.”

As the daughter of U.S. Senator John McCain, Meghan McCain was propelled into the national spotlight at an early age. Her unparalleled exposure to American politics gave her the opportunity to hear voters debate the most complex issues first-hand. McCain’s time on the campaign trail with her father inspired her acclaimed memoir, “Dirty Sexy Politics.” The book chronicles her personal journey across the American political landscape. Campaigning with her father also inspired McCain to publish “My Dad, John McCain,” an illustrated children’s book that brings her father’s heroic story to life.

As a columnist for The Daily Beast, she passionately discusses women’s issues, social issues, marriage equality and her firm belief that there is room for all walks of life in the GOP. While in college, McCain worked at Newsweek magazine and Saturday Night Live. She is a graduate of Columbia University and currently resides in New York City.