Falwell fills in as conservative Crossfire host

CNN is reportedly searching for "a right-leaning replacement" for former Crossfire co-host Tucker Carlson. Since Carlson's January 6 departure from CNN, Baptist pastor and Moral Majority founder Reverend Jerry Falwell has filled in twice as the show's conservative co-host.

Falwell first co-hosted Crossfire on December 2, 2004; following Carlson's departure from CNN, Falwell co-hosted on February 2 and February 7.

CNN signaled an end to the 22-year-old show, though Crossfire co-hosts will likely appear on debate segments during CNN's afternoon news program Inside Politics, according to a January 6 Washington Post article. CNN/U.S. president Jonathan Klein told the Post that programs like Crossfire do "nothing to illuminate the issues of the day." Klein also stated that viewers need "useful" information, "and a bunch of guys screaming at each other simply doesn't accomplish that."

In its search for a replacement for Carlson, CNN should consider some of the statements Falwell has made. He has:

• Stated on September 13, 2001, that abortion rights advocates, feminists, and homosexuals, among others, were responsible for the September 11 terrorist attacks, and then lied to cover for his statements;
• Falsely claimed that the "23 eggheads out there" on the U.S. 9th Circuit Court of Appeals "get their rulings overturned almost every time";
• Called the National Organization for Women the "National Organization of Witches";
• Compared same-sex marriage to slavery;
• Equated homosexuality to "smoking crack and bestiality";
• Encouraged his audience to "praise the Lord" at Thanksgiving for "alternative news media" sources such as FOX News Channel, Sean Hannity, and Rush Limbaugh, which he said are "telling the truth"; and
• Said, while guest co-hosting Crossfire on December 2, 2004, that "CNN doesn't always get it right" on the Iraq war, "but it goes pretty well if you watch it on FOX [News Channel]."

Former Crossfire co-host Carlson will host a new show at 9 p.m. ET on MSNBC.