CNN Political Analyst Named to ‘Moderate’ Think Tank

By Chris Ariens 

Longtime CNN political analyst Bill Schneider has joined, Third Way, a think tank that bills itself as advancing “the next generation of moderate policy ideas.” Schneider, who will continue his on-air political analysis at CNN, will be the organization’s first Distinguished Senior Fellow & Resident Scholar.

TVNewser asked CNN if this is in keeping with their standards. An insider tells us that because Schneider is a contributor, and not an employee, outside political affiliations are acceptable.

The press release from Third Way is after the jump…

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CNN’s Bill Schneider Joins Third Way

WASHINGTON, DC – Bill Schneider, CNN’s longtime Senior Political Analyst, will be joining Third Way as the organization’s first Distinguished Senior Fellow & Resident Scholar.

Jon Cowan, President of Third Way, a DC-based think tank, said, “Bill Schneider’s brand of insightful post-partisan political analysis will be a real asset in advancing our work. We’re honored to have him as part of the Third Way team.”

In addition to his new post at Third Way, Schneider will be joining the faculty of George Mason University as the Hirst Professor of Public Policy and will continue as a CNN political analyst and a contributing editor to National Journal.

“I am delighted to be joining Third Way, an organization that has emerged as one of the most influential and important idea centers of this new political era,” Schneider said. “Third Way has offered visionary, forward-thinking ideas on the issues that matter most. We are at an important juncture in America’s political history, and I look forward to continuing and expanding my work with Third Way.”

Schneider has been labeled “the Aristotle of American politics” by The Boston Globe. Campaigns and Elections Magazine called him :”the most consistently intelligent analyst on television.”

He is a member of the CNN political team that was awarded an Emmy for its 2006 election coverage and a Peabody for its 2008 coverage.

After receiving his B.A. from Brandeis University, Schneider earned his Ph.D. in political science from Harvard University where he subsequently taught in the Department of Government. From 1990 through 1995, he was the Speaker Thomas P. O’Neill Jr. Visiting Professor of American Politics at Boston College. In 2002, he was the Fred and Rita Richman Distinguished Visiting Professor at Brandeis University. He received an honorary Doctorate of Humane Letters from Brandeis University in 2008.

In 2003, the Graduate School of Arts and Sciences at Harvard University awarded Schneider its Centennial Medal for contributions to society. In 2001, he received the Julian P. Kanter Award for Excellence in Television from the American Association of Political Consultants.

In 2009, the International Foundation for Electoral Systems presented Schneider with a special award “for his extensive coverage and keen insight of the 2008 United States presidential elections . . . showcasing democracy in action” to the world.

In addition, Schneider is co-author, with the late Seymour Martin Lipset, of “The Confidence Gap: Business, Labor and Government in the Public Mind.” His columns appear regularly in National Journal. He has also written extensively on politics and public opinion for The Los Angeles Times, The New Republic, The Atlantic Monthly, The Washington Post and other publications. Schneider’s analysis is featured on CNN’s “The Situation Room,” “Lou Dobbs Tonight,” and CNN International.

Third Way works with members of Congress, the White House, candidates, and advocates to develop and advance the next generation of moderate policy ideas.

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