GOP primary debates are like M&Ms to cable news channels, you can’t have just one. CNN announced that it will co-host a debate with the Arizona Republican Party on December 1. CNN has already televised two debates in June and September, and is slated to host another in Las Vegas October 18.

“Arizona is a key state that will play a pivotal role in helping Republicans choose their presidential nominee,” said Sam Feist, CNN Washington bureau chief and senior vice president in a statement. “CNN is honored to provide voters in Arizona and around the country an opportunity to hear the GOP candidates present their vision for the future.”

The day after Fox News partnered with Google for a GOP primary debate, there is still criticism of CNN partnering with the Tea Party Express for a debate last week.

In an article published today, the American Journalism Review questions whether CNN’s partnership with the Tea Party presents a conflict of interest.

“I think it runs the risk of harming their credibility,” says Kelly McBride, senior faculty for ethics reporting and writing at the Poynter Institute. “The audience could perceive the debate as a Tea Party event, meaning that CNN loses its independence.”

CNN’s DC bureau chief Sam Feist points out that CNN had editorial control of the debate, chose the moderator and paid all expenses.

Ed Fouhy, former executive vice president of CBS News and executive director of the presidential debates in 1988 and 1992, says he and other journalists were appalled by CNN’s decision, and would have argued strongly against entering any such relationship. Not only is it an ethical issue, he says, but it raises questions about CNN’s ability to evaluate such offers and the motives behind them.

“It seems to me the Tea Party, a very young and controversial institution, used CNN’s name and reputation to gain legitimacy and standing through this alliance,” Fouhy says. “CNN, in short, was manipulated.”

CNN continues to add to its political contributor ranks in advance of the 2012 election cycle. The latest person to join the team is former George W. Bush press secretary Ari Fleischer.

“Ari’s extraordinary experience in the political arena and in the White House make him an invaluable contributor to the network,” said CNN Washington DC bureau chief Sam Feist in a statement. “We’re thrilled to have Ari on board and our viewers will appreciate his keen insight as we head into this election cycle.”

After leaving the White House, Fleischer started his own communications firm, Ari Fleischer Sports Communications, specializing in communications advice for athletes, leagues and teams.

More information, after the jump.

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CNN held its Tea Party Debate last night in Florida, kicking off with a WWE-esque, nickname-laden introduction of the contenders (roughly the first two minutes):

The New York Times examined CNN’s decision to partner with tea party groups, and spoke to CNN DC bureau chief Sam Feist about the decision:

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CNN is in the final stages of preparing for tonight’s CNN Tea Party Debate.

The candidates are as well, as the exclusive photo to the right shows. That is Texas Governor Rick Perry standing behind his podium, giving him a chance to see what the auditorium will look like, and CNN a chance to test out lighting and camera angles.

As has become de rigueur during debates, CNN says that the official hashtag will be #CNNTeaParty. Viewers can tweet questions with that hashtag, and moderator Wolf Blitzer will choose some to ask the candidates.

The debate will run on CNN, CNN International, CNN Radio and CNN.com from 8-10 PM ET. Video of CNN DC bureau chief Sam Feist explaining the set after the jump.

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Politico’s annual “50 Politicos to Watch” list is out, and this year — as the 2012 election cycle looms — it features a slew of Washington, DC-based television folk.

NBC anchor David Gregory, who helms the top-rated “Meet the Press,” is first on the list in the “Television Faces” category. Gregory is joined by former NBC colleague Norah O’Donnell, who recently stepped into a new role as chief White House correspondent for CBS, and Fox News Channel’s Bret Baier, who is the anchor of “Special Report.” The “Television Faces” category is rounded out by two men who are better known for their work behind the cameras: MSNBC president Phil Griffin and CNN Washington bureau chief Sam Feist.

CBS News picked up another nods in the “White House Deans” category, which features veteran White House correspondent Bill Plante.

View the full list here.

Athena Jones has joined the CNN Washington Bureau as a general assignment reporter, bureau chief Sam Feist announced today.

Jones, who begins at CNN today, has worked for the network before as a freelance segment producer. She was most recently a White House producer for NBC news, where she split her 2008 coverage of the Clinton and Obama campaigns with The National Journal. She has also been a political reporter for Bloomberg News.

“Her experience covering the White House, politics and international affairs are a perfect fit for the Washington bureau,” Feist said in a statement.

CNN has named Jessica Yellin chief White House correspondent, replacing Ed Henry, who left the cabler to join Fox News Channel. Yellin has served as national political correspondent for CNN since January, 2009, and begins her new assignment immediately.

This won’t be Yellin’s first White House tour. She has previously served as a White House correspondent for ABC News.

“Jessica Yellin has emerged as one of the leading political reporters in Washington, ” said CNN Washington bureau chief Sam Feist. “Jessica’s assertiveness along with her clever insight made her one of the top reporters of the 2008 campaign and has already set her apart in her reporting on the 2012 campaign. We’re thrilled Jessica will now bring her outstanding political journalism to our White House coverage.”

More information in the CNN announcement, after the jump.

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As CNN prepares to host the Republican presidential candidates tonight in New Hampshire, DC Bureau Chief Sam Feist describes how the network will incorporate social media into the debate.

CNN will be projecting a live stream of Twitter and Facebook comments onto a large screen on the debate set for the candidates and the audience to see.  Moderator John King will also be monitoring the comments and incorporating them into his questions.

Watch Feist explain the debate set here:

Our sister blog FishbowlDC has the details of a staff briefing new CNN Washington DC bureau chief Sam Feist held yesterday. Feist praised his team for their work during the unexpected blackouts last week, and also took the time to address the rumors surrounding “John King USA.” The 7 PM show has been the subject of much speculation among media writers, particularly from the NY Post‘s Page Six, which matter of factly wrote a few weeks ago that it would be pulled to make room for Erin Burnett.

“I want to put a rumor to rest.  Senior management is behind ‘John King, USA,’” Feist said.  “The rumors are false and have always been false,” he added.

Read more at FishbowlDC.