Political happenings

CNN has named John King as anchor of a four hour block of political programming on Sundays.

CNN Chief National Correspondent John King is set to take the helm a new four-hour Sunday block of political programming, CNN announced Monday.

King, who has been with CNN for more than a decade, became a household name this election season after breaking a host of stories for the network — including Barack Obama's selection of Joe Biden as his running mate. His expert analysis on election nights and innovative use of the "Magic Wall" technology won wide praise and was quickly imitated by several other networks.

“We are reinventing Sunday mornings around the best political reporter of his generation, John King," CNN/U.S. President Jon Klein said. "He has stood out throughout the election as the single best connected, most knowledgeable source of what’s going on and why, and this new program is an opportunity to showcase those strengths throughout the entire year.”

The new block, to run from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. ET will debut in January. The first hour will focus heavily on politics and the new administration, while the later hours will delve into national and world affairs and commentary on current events. The four hours will also include "Reliable Sources," hosted by Howard Kurtz, which will continue as an hourlong examination into the intersection of the national media, politics, and the hottest topics in news.

Meanwhile, Mitt Romney thinks 2008 is early enough to make his intentions known. He's paving the way for a run for 2012, hoping to become the first Mormon president of the United States.

Republican Mitt Romney is laying the groundwork for a possible White House campaign in 2012, hiring a team of staff members and consultants with money from a fund-raising committee he established with the ostensible purpose of supporting other GOP candidates.

The former Massachusetts governor has raised $2.1 million for his Free and Strong America political action committee. But only 12 percent of the money has been spent distributing checks to Romney's fellow Republicans around the country.

Instead, the largest chunk of the money has gone to support Romney's political ambitions, paying for salaries and consulting fees to over a half-dozen of Romney's longtime political aides, according to a Globe review of expenditures.

Romney founded the Free and Strong America Committee shortly after dropping out of the 2008 presidential primary. He filled its coffers by telling conservative contributors around the country that their money would be used to support Republican candidates and causes.

George Stephanopoulos chimes in now that David Gregory has been named as the new host of NBC's Meet the Press. George, somehow, thinks he's David Letterman.

10.) Monday night is the new Saturday
9.) Saturday Night Live is a pretty cool wake-up call
8.) Dennis Kucinich is a biter
7.) You'll never have to anchor another car chase -- ever
6.) No more OJ stories either
5.) Remember to wink at the camera when you say "stimulus package"
4.) Never let Chuck Todd drive you to work
3.) Don't sit Doris Kearns Goodwin next to David Broder. Long story
2.) Rapping with Karl Rove is a guaranteed bump during sweeps
1.) Most important, don't forget we move our clocks back next Sunday.

Mazel tov on the gig, David.