CNN Chief Congressional Correspondent Dana Bash will be the first substitute anchor this coming Sunday on “State of the Union” following Candy Crowley’s final show, an individual familiar with CNN’s plans told TheWrap.
“Candy, you can cut through the spin and talking points and translate political speak into real deal English like no one else in our business,” Bash said to Candy Crowley in a special montage that aired Sunday during Crowley’s final show. “You’re my mentor, my friend, and we are all going to miss you.”
Bash — who has covered Congress for CNN since 2006 — has filled in on “State of the Union” and other CNN shows in the past. But an insider told TheWrap Bash’s Sunday assignment shouldn’t be looked too closely into, as the network won’t name a permanent replacement for Crowley in the near future.
“State of the Union will continue with a variety of guest hosts,” a CNN spokesperson said.
As TheWrap previously reported, some of the top internal contenders to replace Crowley include CNN anchors Jake Tapper and Wolf Blitzer. Other possible internal CNN talent that could be in the running include chief political analyst Gloria Borger and “Inside Politics” host John King.
As of Monday, there are no firm guests booked for the program, which is not unusual seven days before the show airs.