Big news today on the Hillary '08 beat: The New York Post's Ian Bishop is leaving the paper to join the New York Daily News, according to the Politico's Ben Smith. FishbowlDC has learned that Bishop's new title at the Daily News will be "deputy managing editor." Still no word yet if he'll remain in DC or head to NY.

But what does this mean? It means that the NYPost is in a very tough spot, having to now scramble to find someone to cover the Hillary '08 campaign when all of the top talent (and those who, say, know who Mark Penn is) is already snatched up. And it's a big loss for the Post because, well, the Hillary in '08 beat is perhaps the paper's premiere beat for the next two years. And, we're just weeks away from Labor Day, when things will ratchet up considerably.

Whom can they hire who can hit the ground running?

Stay tuned...

>UPDATE: The Daily News release after the jump...

Deputy Managing Editor of Politics Appointed at Daily News

NEW YORK (August 1, 2007) - New York Daily News Deputy Publisher and Editor-in-Chief Martin Dunn is pleased to announce the appointment of Ian Bishop, 31, as Deputy Managing Editor (Politics).

Bishop joins the Daily News after five years as a Washington correspondent, the last three as a correspondent for the New York Post. He will work with Managing Editor (Politics) William Goldschlag, whose responsibilities include directing national government, state government and politics coverage.

"Our political staff has long respected and admired Ian's enterprising and insightful journalism, even as a competitor. It's great to have him join our editorial team," Goldschlag said.

"Ian's experience as a Washington correspondent is an incredible addition to the leadership of our editorial team, especially as we gear up for the 2008 election cycle," Dunn said. "Since New Yorkers could very likely have a front-seat position for the 2008 Presidential elections, we want to ensure our readership that New York's favorite newspaper will provide the very best in political coverage."

Before the Post, Bishop worked as a reporter for the New England Newspaper Group Washington Bureau, the Lowell (Mass.) Sun and the Times-Georgian of Carrollton, Ga.

He is a graduate of the College of the Holy Cross in Worcester, Mass.