Sununu Offered Buchanan’s Spot as Co-Host on CNN’s ‘Crossfire’

Departing White House Chief of Staff John Sununu has been offered Pat Buchanan’s spot as co-host of CNN’s “Crossfire” on an interim basis if the conservative columnist runs for President.

A CNN spokesman confirmed Monday that CNN President Tom Johnson offered Sununu the position. Sununu said he would consider the offer.

Buchanan, who opened a Vienna, Va., campaign office last week, has scheduled a 9 a.m. (PST) address today at the State House Hall of Flags in Concord, N.H., where he is expected to announce his challenge to President Bush for the 1992 Republican nomination. Sununu had said previously that after stepping down as Bush’s chief of staff, he planned to act as counselor to the President until March 1.

Buchanan has hosted “Crossfire” weekdays and “The Capital Gang” Saturdays on CNN, in addition to appearing on the syndicated “The McLaughlin Group,” which is aired by various PBS affiliates and NBC’s owned-and-operated stations, including KNBC Channel 4 locally.

Buchanan has taken a hiatus from his television duties since it was learned Nov. 14 that he was exploring a presidential candidacy.

CNN has employed several conservative figures, including New Republic Senior Editor Fred Barnes and columnist Robert Novak, in Buchanan’s absence. “The McLaughlin Group” has added columnist Mona Charron to its rotating panel of pundits.