Erick Erickson
Encyclopedia
Erick Erickson also known as Erick-Woods Erickson, is a politically conservative American blog
ger and managing editor of the blog site RedState.com. In 2010, he became a political contributor for CNN
's John King, USA
. Erickson also hosts a weekday radio show on WSB (AM)
from 7 P.M.–10 P.M.
, moved to Dubai, United Arab Emirates when he was 5 and returned to Jackson when he was 15. Erickson attended the American School of Dubai
, previously known as the Jumeirah American School. Erickson received a bachelor’s degree from Mercer University
in Macon, Georgia
, and a law degree at Mercer’s Walter F. George School of Law
and is an inactive member in good standing of the State Bar of Georgia
.
Erickson was an elected Republican
member of Macon’s city council
, but resigned partway through his first term to pursue a job with WSB
radio in Atlanta . While he was in office, Macon police officers considered forming a union, and Erickson urged that success of the effort should be countered by the dissolution of the police department.
Erickson's "Morning Briefing" e-mails grew from 498 subscribers when they began in February 2009 to nearly 70,000 by January 2010. The analysis from one of Erickson's "Morning Briefing" emails, just after the November 2009 election, was posted on the website of Human Events
, referred to on the website of The American Spectator
, and by Rush Limbaugh
, and "fueled discussion later that morning at two influential weekly meetings of [Washington,] D.C. conservatives", according to an article in the Washington Post. The Post added, "The ability of a single e-mail to shape a message illustrates the power of the conservative network." The article described Erickson as one of the American conservative movement's "key national players".
The Daily Telegraph of London put Erickson on its "List of Most Influential US Conservatives", giving him a rank of 69th most influential in 2007 and 65th in 2010. According to the 2007 newspaper article: "Erickson epitomises the new power of the internet. A small-government fiscal
and social conservative based in the south, he taps into and influences the Republican 'base' that the GOP’s 2008 candidates are courting."
Erickson was noted for having written on Twitter about Supreme Court Justice David Souter
: "The nation loses the only goat f***ing child molester to ever serve on the Supreme Court in David Souter's retirement." In an appearance on the Colbert Report, Erickson said the Twitter statement was "not my finest hour".
. CNN Political Director Sam Feist called Erickson "a perfect fit for John King, USA, because not only is he an agenda-setter whose words are closely watched in Washington, but as a person who still lives in small-town America, Erick is in touch with the very people John hopes to reach.” On his blog, Erickson stated, "CNN made an offer I couldn’t refuse," and added, "This is the path God put me on and it was totally unexpected, but I go where the good Lord leads."
and that the allegations were "initiated by a rival political campaign.". Later that day, Erickson wrote, "I have no clue if anyone is behind Will Folks doing this. [...] With apologies to RedState readers, [...] I’ve had no hesitation in stringing the media along like Folks has done." Byron York
, a conservative journalist, criticized Erickson: "[S]acrificing your own credibility in an effort to undermine someone else’s is not a good idea, and what Erickson has done has surely hurt both his own reputation and that of his website."
, the senior United States Senator
from Virginia, announced that he would not seek re-election in 2012. Republican George Allen
announced that he would seek to win back the seat that he lost to Webb in 2006 but Erickson declined to endorse the "establishment" Allen, complaining of Allen's voting record and stating that he had "decided to support (Tea Party
organizer) Jamie Radtke
for the Senate." In August, however, Erickson approvingly quoted anonymous commentators who alleged that when Radtke spoke at a Redstate gathering she was a "drunk rambling idiot." According to an email earlier sent by Erickson to the Radtke campaign and forwarded on to Ben Smith
, Erickson admitted having revised his public opinion about Radtke because "my bosses are huge Allen friends." Smith had previously raised questions about Erickson's independence from the financial interests of his employer by noting that an official with RedState.com's publisher had sent out an email that appeared to be selling Erickson's endorsement.
. He replaced Michael Savage
, eventually moving to the slot vacated by Herman Cain
when he announced his 2012 presidential bid.
He also helped to start "we are 53 percent" on tumblr http://the53.tumblr.com/
Blog
A blog is a type of website or part of a website supposed to be updated with new content from time to time. Blogs are usually maintained by an individual with regular entries of commentary, descriptions of events, or other material such as graphics or video. Entries are commonly displayed in...
ger and managing editor of the blog site RedState.com. In 2010, he became a political contributor for CNN
CNN
Cable News Network is a U.S. cable news channel founded in 1980 by Ted Turner. Upon its launch, CNN was the first channel to provide 24-hour television news coverage, and the first all-news television channel in the United States...
's John King, USA
John King, USA
John King, USA is an hour-long television news show that is hosted by John King on CNN. The show debuted on March 22, 2010.It airs at 7:00 PM Eastern, and as a result, shortened The Situation Room with Wolf Blitzer to 2 hours...
. Erickson also hosts a weekday radio show on WSB (AM)
WSB (AM)
WSB — branded AM 750 and 95.5 FM News/Talk WSB — is a commercial radio station licensed to Atlanta, Georgia broadcasting a news/talk format. The station transmits with 50,000 watts of nondirectional power day and night, enjoying clear-channel status on its broadcast frequency according to the U.S...
from 7 P.M.–10 P.M.
Biography
Erickson was born in Jackson, LouisianaJackson, Louisiana
Jackson is a town in East Feliciana Parish, Louisiana, United States. The population was 4,130 at the 2000 census. It is part of the Baton Rouge Metropolitan Statistical Area.-History:...
, moved to Dubai, United Arab Emirates when he was 5 and returned to Jackson when he was 15. Erickson attended the American School of Dubai
American School of Dubai
The American School of Dubai , previously known as the Jumeirah American School, is located in the Al-Barsha community of Dubai, United Arab Emirates....
, previously known as the Jumeirah American School. Erickson received a bachelor’s degree from Mercer University
Mercer University
Mercer University is an independent, private, coeducational university with a Baptist heritage located in the U.S. state of Georgia. Mercer is the only university of its size in the United States that offers programs in eleven diversified fields of study: liberal arts, business, education, music,...
in Macon, Georgia
Macon, Georgia
Macon is a city located in central Georgia, US. Founded at the fall line of the Ocmulgee River, it is part of the Macon metropolitan area, and the county seat of Bibb County. A small portion of the city extends into Jones County. Macon is the biggest city in central Georgia...
, and a law degree at Mercer’s Walter F. George School of Law
Walter F. George School of Law
The Walter F. George School of Law of Mercer University, founded in 1873, is one of the oldest law schools in the United States and is the second oldest of Mercer's eleven colleges and schools. The School of Law, with approximately 420 students, is located in Macon, Georgia on its own campus one...
and is an inactive member in good standing of the State Bar of Georgia
State Bar of Georgia
The State Bar of Georgia is the governing body of the legal profession in Georgia, operating under the supervision of the Supreme Court of Georgia. Membership is a condition of admission to practice law in Georgia....
.
Erickson was an elected Republican
Republican Party (United States)
The Republican Party is one of the two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Democratic Party. Founded by anti-slavery expansion activists in 1854, it is often called the GOP . The party's platform generally reflects American conservatism in the U.S...
member of Macon’s city council
City council
A city council or town council is the legislative body that governs a city, town, municipality or local government area.-Australia & NZ:Because of the differences in legislation between the States, the exact definition of a City Council varies...
, but resigned partway through his first term to pursue a job with WSB
WSB (AM)
WSB — branded AM 750 and 95.5 FM News/Talk WSB — is a commercial radio station licensed to Atlanta, Georgia broadcasting a news/talk format. The station transmits with 50,000 watts of nondirectional power day and night, enjoying clear-channel status on its broadcast frequency according to the U.S...
radio in Atlanta . While he was in office, Macon police officers considered forming a union, and Erickson urged that success of the effort should be countered by the dissolution of the police department.
Erickson's "Morning Briefing" e-mails grew from 498 subscribers when they began in February 2009 to nearly 70,000 by January 2010. The analysis from one of Erickson's "Morning Briefing" emails, just after the November 2009 election, was posted on the website of Human Events
Human Events
Human Events is a weekly American conservative magazine. It takes its name from the first sentence of the United States Declaration of Independence...
, referred to on the website of The American Spectator
The American Spectator
The American Spectator is a conservative U.S. monthly magazine covering news and politics, edited by R. Emmett Tyrrell Jr. and published by the non-profit American Spectator Foundation. From its founding in 1967 until the late 1980s, the small-circulation magazine featured the writings of authors...
, and by Rush Limbaugh
Rush Limbaugh
Rush Hudson Limbaugh III is an American radio talk show host, conservative political commentator, and an opinion leader in American conservatism. He hosts The Rush Limbaugh Show which is aired throughout the U.S. on Premiere Radio Networks and is the highest-rated talk-radio program in the United...
, and "fueled discussion later that morning at two influential weekly meetings of [Washington,] D.C. conservatives", according to an article in the Washington Post. The Post added, "The ability of a single e-mail to shape a message illustrates the power of the conservative network." The article described Erickson as one of the American conservative movement's "key national players".
The Daily Telegraph of London put Erickson on its "List of Most Influential US Conservatives", giving him a rank of 69th most influential in 2007 and 65th in 2010. According to the 2007 newspaper article: "Erickson epitomises the new power of the internet. A small-government fiscal
Fiscal conservatism
Fiscal conservatism is a political term used to describe a fiscal policy that advocates avoiding deficit spending. Fiscal conservatives often consider reduction of overall government spending and national debt as well as ensuring balanced budget of paramount importance...
and social conservative based in the south, he taps into and influences the Republican 'base' that the GOP’s 2008 candidates are courting."
Erickson was noted for having written on Twitter about Supreme Court Justice David Souter
David Souter
David Hackett Souter is a former Associate Justice of the Supreme Court of the United States. He served from 1990 until his retirement on June 29, 2009. Appointed by President George H. W. Bush to fill the seat vacated by William J...
: "The nation loses the only goat f***ing child molester to ever serve on the Supreme Court in David Souter's retirement." In an appearance on the Colbert Report, Erickson said the Twitter statement was "not my finest hour".
CNN contributor
On March 16, 2010, CNN announced the hiring of Erickson as a political contributor to John King, USAJohn King, USA
John King, USA is an hour-long television news show that is hosted by John King on CNN. The show debuted on March 22, 2010.It airs at 7:00 PM Eastern, and as a result, shortened The Situation Room with Wolf Blitzer to 2 hours...
. CNN Political Director Sam Feist called Erickson "a perfect fit for John King, USA, because not only is he an agenda-setter whose words are closely watched in Washington, but as a person who still lives in small-town America, Erick is in touch with the very people John hopes to reach.” On his blog, Erickson stated, "CNN made an offer I couldn’t refuse," and added, "This is the path God put me on and it was totally unexpected, but I go where the good Lord leads."
Nikki Haley gubernatorial bid
In May 2010, Erickson wrote in the RedState blog that he would be releasing evidence that Will Folks, a South Carolina GOP political operative, had made false allegations that he had an affair with gubernatorial candidate Nikki HaleyNikki Haley
Nimrata Nikki Randhawa Haley is the 116th and current Governor of South Carolina. A member of the Republican Party, Haley represented Lexington County in the South Carolina House of Representatives from 2005 to 2010....
and that the allegations were "initiated by a rival political campaign.". Later that day, Erickson wrote, "I have no clue if anyone is behind Will Folks doing this. [...] With apologies to RedState readers, [...] I’ve had no hesitation in stringing the media along like Folks has done." Byron York
Byron York
Byron York is a conservative American columnist for the Washington Examiner, Fox News contributor, and author who lives in Washington, D.C.-Career:...
, a conservative journalist, criticized Erickson: "[S]acrificing your own credibility in an effort to undermine someone else’s is not a good idea, and what Erickson has done has surely hurt both his own reputation and that of his website."
George Allen 2012 Senate bid
In 2011 Democrat Jim WebbJim Webb
James Henry "Jim" Webb, Jr. is the senior United States Senator from Virginia. He is also an author and a former Secretary of the Navy. He is a member of the Democratic Party....
, the senior United States Senator
United States Senate
The United States Senate is the upper house of the bicameral legislature of the United States, and together with the United States House of Representatives comprises the United States Congress. The composition and powers of the Senate are established in Article One of the U.S. Constitution. Each...
from Virginia, announced that he would not seek re-election in 2012. Republican George Allen
George Allen (U.S. politician)
George Felix Allen is a former United States Senator from the Commonwealth of Virginia, and the son of former NFL head coach George Allen. Allen served Virginia in the state legislature, as the 67th Governor, and in both bodies of the U.S. Congress, winning election to the Senate in 2000...
announced that he would seek to win back the seat that he lost to Webb in 2006 but Erickson declined to endorse the "establishment" Allen, complaining of Allen's voting record and stating that he had "decided to support (Tea Party
Tea Party movement
The Tea Party movement is an American populist political movement that is generally recognized as conservative and libertarian, and has sponsored protests and supported political candidates since 2009...
organizer) Jamie Radtke
Jamie Radtke
-Personal background:Radtke is a resident of Chesterfield County, Virginia. She graduated from Liberty University in 1995 and was awarded a Master of Public Policy from The College of William & Mary in 1998....
for the Senate." In August, however, Erickson approvingly quoted anonymous commentators who alleged that when Radtke spoke at a Redstate gathering she was a "drunk rambling idiot." According to an email earlier sent by Erickson to the Radtke campaign and forwarded on to Ben Smith
Ben Smith (journalist)
Ben Smith is an American political journalist and blogger for the news outlet Politico, which was frequently cited during the 2008 presidential election. He formerly wrote for the Wall Street Journal Europe, the New York Sun, the New York Observer and wrote a political column for the New York Daily...
, Erickson admitted having revised his public opinion about Radtke because "my bosses are huge Allen friends." Smith had previously raised questions about Erickson's independence from the financial interests of his employer by noting that an official with RedState.com's publisher had sent out an email that appeared to be selling Erickson's endorsement.
Radio show
On January 10, 2011, Erickson began hosting a local radio show on WSB Radio 750/95.5WSB (AM)
WSB — branded AM 750 and 95.5 FM News/Talk WSB — is a commercial radio station licensed to Atlanta, Georgia broadcasting a news/talk format. The station transmits with 50,000 watts of nondirectional power day and night, enjoying clear-channel status on its broadcast frequency according to the U.S...
. He replaced Michael Savage
Michael Savage
Michael Savage may refer to:* Michael Savage , American radio host, author and conservative political commentator* Michael Joseph Savage , Prime Minister of New Zealand, 1935–1940...
, eventually moving to the slot vacated by Herman Cain
Herman Cain
Herman Cain is a candidate for the 2012 U.S. Republican Party presidential nomination.Cain has a background as a business executive, syndicated columnist, and radio host from Georgia. He served as chairman and CEO of Godfather's Pizza from 1986 to 1996...
when he announced his 2012 presidential bid.
Other works
Erickson also writes the "Confessions of a Political Junkie" blog and is former editor-in-chief of the "Peach Pundit" blog. His first book, Red State Uprising: How to Take Back America (co-authored with Lew Uhler), was published in September 2010.He also helped to start "we are 53 percent" on tumblr http://the53.tumblr.com/
External links
- Erickson joins the "Best Political Team", CNN Political Ticker, March 16, 2010
- "Confessions of a Political Junkie" blog
- RedState blog
- "Peach Pundit" blog