CBS’s Jan Crawford named Political Correspondent

CBS News president David Rhodes has upped Jan Crawford to political correspondent leading up to the 2012 presidential election. In an email to staff, obtained by TVNewser (and sent in the midst of Friday night’s budget wrangling), Rhodes writes, “I know Jan will keep us honest on the candidates as the primary process unfolds.”

Crawford joined CBS News from ABC News in 2009. After sitting out a non-compete she went on the air in January, 2010 as CBS’ Chief Legal Correspondent. Crawford’s appointment to the politics beat comes days after the departure of political reporter/analyst Jeff Greenfield. Rhodes writes that he’ll also be “discussing a new political director, new contributors, and other new assignments as we gear up for the presidential cycle.”

Memo after the jump…

From: Rhodes, David
To: @Wash Bureau, @cbsnews.com
Cc: Fager, Jeff; Isham, Chris; Schieffer, Bob
Sent: Fri Apr 08 21:23:37 2011
Subject: Politics

@Wash Bureau:

It’s not too early to be thinking about 2012—and on a night where we had a preview of the issues in the coming campaign, I want to preview what our campaign coverage will look like.

Jan Crawford will be our Political Correspondent as we enter the coming campaign season.  I’ve spoken with Jan about this opportunity Friday and she has tremendous excitement about the project.  With Chris, Jim, Bob, and the whole team on Face the Nation and in the bureau in general, I know Jan will keep us honest on the candidates as the primary process unfolds.

In the coming weeks we will be discussing a new political director, new contributors, and other new assignments as we gear up for the presidential cycle.

Please join me and Chris Isham in congratulating and supporting Jan in this new assignment.

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