Variety says that Michael Smerconish will replace Chris Cuomo on CNN next week.
A former Republican who is now an Independent, Smerconish has hosted a variety of programs across news media, including "The Michael Smerconish Program," a daily talk-radio program, and "Smerconish," a weekly Saturday TV program on CNN. Two of his books are New York Times bestsellers.
Smerconish was appointed to serve in the Department of Housing and Urban Development at the age of 29 after he started his career in politics. He broke with the Republican party to support Barack Obama because they failed to capture Osama bin Laden and Ayman al-Zawahiri.
The failure of the Bush administration to plan a successful counterterrorism plan has left me embarrassed of my party and angry. Smerconish wrote for Salon in 2008 that the explanations of the search being nuanced or covering difficult terrain should have worn thin long ago.
Chris Cuomo was fired by CNN on Saturday for his involvement in the sexual harassment scandal that resulted in Andrew Cuomo's resignation as governor of New York.
Chris Cuomo was the face of CNN. The Los Angeles Times says that the slot has been there since the year.
There are no immediate plans for a permanent replacement.
CNN has been reached out to by Insider.
