Jay Carney joins CNN

CNN has hired former White House press secretary Jay Carney as a political commentator, the network announced Wednesday.

Carney left his post as President Obama’s chief spokesman in June and will begin his new gig immediately, giving analysis Wednesday night as the president briefs the nation on his strategy against the Islamic State in Iraq and Syria. 

{mosads}”Jay’s unique experience as both a journalist and a White House press secretary make him an invaluable voice for the network as we cover the final two years of the Obama administration and look ahead to the coming campaigns,” CNN Washington bureau chief Sam Feist said. 

Carney served for more than three years as Obama’s spokesman before Josh Earnest replaced him. Before that he was communications director for Vice President Biden. 

“I’m thrilled to be joining CNN at a time when there is so much happening in the nation and the world,” Carney said in a statement released by CNN. 

Carney already has experience in journalism. He was a 20-year veteran of Time before joining the administration, serving as a White House correspondent and Washington bureau chief during his time at the news magazine. 

Other former Obama officials — including David Plouffe, David Axelrod and former press secretary Robert Gibbs — have taken similar positions on different networks after leaving the administration.