John King to replace Lou Dobbs on CNN

WASHINGTON, Nov. 12 (UPI) -- Veteran U.S. broadcast journalist John King has been tapped to replace outgoing CNN anchor Lou Dobbs starting early next year, the news network said Thursday.

Dobbs, who recently has been criticized for his coverage of immigration issues, announced Wednesday he is leaving CNN.

The network said King, who is the anchor of its "State of the Union" Sunday program, will serve as host of a new, as-yet-unnamed weekday political program to air in Dobbs's former time slot of 7 p.m. ET in early 2010.

"I'm thrilled to have the opportunity, at this busy and consequential time, to have a platform to discuss and explore the big issues of our time," King said in a statement released Thursday by CNN.

"The program will reflect what CNN is all about: straight facts from our anchors and the widest range of opinions from across the political spectrum," added Jonathan Klein, president of CNN/U.S. "John has enthralled CNN viewers with his vast political knowledge, and he has spent the past year reporting from beyond the Beltway on pressing policy issues and the real people they impact. Every night, he'll share his passion and his insights about what is really going on in Washington and across America."