In a bid for CNN to become a bit more, shall we say, “Fair & Balanced,” CNN has reached across the aisle to hire a new commentator, Erick Erickson of RedState.com. Erickson will make his official debut on a brand-new show, John King, USA, which begins on Monday, March 22. Erickson will also routinely provide commentary on other CNN shows. John King received praise from left and right for his even-handed approach to covering the news during his previous stint as CNN’s Chief White House Correspondent. King’s show fills the void left by Lou Dobb’s departure last fall.
According to Sam Feist, CNN’s Political Director and Vice President of Washington-based programming, “Erick’s a perfect fit for John King, USA, because not only is he an agenda-setter whose words are closely watched in Washington but as a person who still lives in small-town America, Erick is in touch with the very people John hopes to reach,” said Feist. “With Erick’s exceptional knowledge of politics as well as his role as a conservative opinion leader, he will add an important voice to CNN’s ideologically diverse group of political contributors.”
(Editorial note: some might argue, that with a few notable exceptions, CNN’s political contributors are about as diverse as Harvard’s faculty, but we must give credit where credit is due, and applaud them for heading in the right direction.)
Under Erickson’s leadership RedState, a HUMAN EVENTS sister company, has become one of the most influential conservative websites in the country. “I am in the amazingly blessed position of being able to appear on CNN, yet continue my work at RedState, which is, and will continue to be, my number one priority,” said Erickson. “I grew up in Dubai and then in rural Louisiana as an obsessive news junkie. CNN was the only place to go for nonstop news,” said Erickson. “Joining CNN is like coming home. Being in Atlanta makes the decision right for me and my family.”
Erickson will continue his regular appearances on Sean Hannity’s show, where he appears regularly on Hannity’s Great American Panel. His next appearance will be April 14th.
Erickson is also working with co-author Lewis Uhler on a book for Regnery Publishing, called RedState Uprising, set to publish in September of this year.
Prior to joining RedState.com, Erickson practiced law for six years and managed a number of political campaigns. He currently serves as a member of the Macon, Georgia city council. He studied political science and history earning a bachelor’s degree at Mercer University in Macon, Georgia. Erickson also earned his juris doctorate from Mercer’s Walter F. George School of Law
