[cnn-photo-caption image= http://i2.cdn.turner.com/cnn/2010/images/03/16/art.erickson.gi.jpg caption="Erick Erickson has joined CNN."]
(CNN) - Prominent conservative commentator and RedState.com editor Erick Erickson will join CNN as a political contributor, appearing primarily on CNN's new show John King, USA¸ the network announced Tuesday.
Erickson, a self described "obsessive news junkie" who grew up in Dubai and rural Louisiana, will also provide perspective and commentary on other programs across the network.
"Joining CNN is like coming home, and being in Atlanta makes the decision right for me and my family," Erickson said in a statement.
Under Erickson's leadership, RedState.com has become the preeminent right of center community online. Prior to leading RedState.com, Erickson practiced law for six years and managed a number of political campaigns, and he currently serves as a member of the Macon, Georgia, city council. He studied political science and history and earned a bachelor's degree at Mercer University in Macon. Erickson also earned his law degree from Mercer's Walter F. George School of Law.
"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 Sam Feist, CNN political director and vice president of Washington-based programming. "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."
Oh, goody! Another conservative Republican ... just what CNN needs! Why don't you just change your name to "The GOP Network"? Quit trying behind the claim of honest and balanced journalism.
I'm sure he passed the liberal litmus test.
"As a person who still lives in small-town America, Erick is in touch with the very people John hopes to reach," said Sam Feist, CNN political director and vice president of Washington-based programming.
Why isn't John trying to reach people in cities as well?
Congrats, Erick! Fabulous news!
The headline should be, "CNN Adds Another Wingnut To Its Staff". What's the matter, CNN? Couldn't get anybody as rabid as Hannity or Beck?
By tomorrow, the right will have forgotten this addition and go back to the tired old oxymoronic diatribe about "liberal news media". Obviously, a news organization run as a corporation will never promote political ideas like progressivism that run against its interests and the status quo.
By definition, a corporate news organization is right wing, because corporations are right wing. To get real news, one has to go to an organization like the BBC or maybe NPR, where corporate interests are not paramount.
Spin, lies, manipulation, division, hate ... thanks, CNN (not!).
Great. CNN brings in one more voice to bash democrats. I hope CNN as zealously hounds the republicans when they prevail in November as they have the Obama administration to date.
oh great, just what CNN needs, more conservative commentators ... *sigh*
LOL!! CNN is only lagging behind Fox News when it comes to "stoking the fire"
Do they really not see how they look across America because they are so concerned with ratings?
American news has become the laughing stock of the world.
Thanks CNN for your contributions.
John King has always been a blanket Republican. True colors coming out. Boring broadcasting. If we wanted skewed conservative dribble, we would turn to the Fox Entertainment Channel. You can throw Don Lemmon into the foul mix, as well. Don't pretend to be a newscaster, if you are really sporting your politics at every comment.
Well, that makes my TV viewing choice easy. No more CNN for me! Erickson is nothing more than ignorant, lying scum who loves to stir up crowds with blatant untruths that do nothing but divide this country. Why would you possibly think that he could add to an intelligent discussion? Or does CNN simply want to turn into a shout fest for ratings? I thought you got over that when you fired Beck. CNN is absolutely foolish to ask him to join their usually reasonable commentators, and CNN will no longer be turned on in this household!
If this creep had aligned himself with a real news organization — much as William Kristol did when he began opining in the New York Times - I'd be decrying the legitimization of a right-wing shill. However, since it's only CNN, who cares?
This is the same guy who said that Americans recieving unemployment benefits, (due to no fault of their own) should lose that safety net. His reasoning was that collecting these benefits will make one lazy and unproductive.........He then went on to say that there are other ways to earn money while unemployed, instead of collecting unemployment benefits........My question is what way is that? Besides starting ones own business legally, or illegally?
Also RedState.com is not a center right think tank online......It's more of a fringe meeting over the internet........Not a lie, go there and see the blog posts.
well now I will be watching msnbc I am not interested in some nobody
telling me that the world is going to end unless we build a bigger army
if he has a law degree why isn't he working for a law firm can't find
work in red neck Georgia or maybe it just pays above walmart wages
More proof of the liberal media conspiracy! ... Er, wait, what?
CNN hires Erik Erickson? What's next, Jenny McCarthy becomes Chief of Infectious Diseases at Johns Hopkins?
Next, I hear they will hire Glenn Beck back to complete their new "Fox competition."
This is sad; they are fast losing the "news" status and becoming just another opinion piece. Is there any wonder people are migrating back to the 6:30 news on the main networks.
King and Erickson, CNN keep heading right. The new Fox news.
I guess there's more money in spreading nonsence.
You have got to be kidding me.
CNN, please go read the stuff he writes. Like calling a Supreme Court justice a Goat Effer.
Or that Obama won the Nobel Peace Prize because the Nobel committee has an affirmative action quota.
This is in poor taste and just another sign of why CNN has become Fox Lite. And believe me, that isn't something to be proud of.
His big head is the reason I stopped visiting Red State. Now that he's a full-timer at CNN, his ego will only get bigger. Yuck.
I did not know that CNN is turning to be Fox by hiring the "RedState" commentator.
Great! That’s exactly what CNN needs – another rightwing hack. Soon CNN will be as bad as FAUX Noise.
No wonder why MSNBC has taken over viewership in my household, more right wing conservatives. I for one am sick of em. I will admit that I hold very few of the same views as they do, i.e gay marriage and immigration policy. Other then those two issues I can't think of a single thing that I stand with them on. Their old and loony!
Oh, good. Another "conservative voice" to add balance to John King's highly unbiased reporting! As the Valley Girls used to say, "Gag me with a spoon!"
Another phony GOP conservative, learn that true conservatives are Libertarians, not the Neo Conservatives who run the GOP.
If you want to restore this nation's liberty vote Libertarian. Time to stop voting for Party before country.