Mark Preston and Paul Steinhauser have been upped at CNN. The announcement from Sam Feist, CNN senior vice president and Washington bureau chief is below.

CNN Note: As we move in to 2012, I am pleased to announce new positions for two of our key leaders of CNN Politics.

MARK PRESTON becomes CNN Political Director. In this role, Mark will be CNN’s primary contact with political campaigns at both the state and national level. His work is integral to organizing critical CNN events such as presidential debates and forums. He will help set editorial direction for CNN’s programs during the election season, including primary and election nights. Mark is also one of the great political reporters in Washington and we will continue to lean on Mark’s reporting and analysis both on TV and online throughout the coming campaign. Mark will report to Eric Sherling.

PAUL STEINHAUSER becomes CNN Political Editor and supervising producer of the CNN Political Unit. He will be responsible for overseeing CNN’s political newsgathering operations. As the leader of the political beat, Paul will be responsible for assigning and managing CNN’s political coverage team including correspondents, producers, desk editors, polling, research, and the CNN Political Ticker. Paul’s proven leadership and keen political analysis will be invaluable as CNN heads into this historic election year. Paul and the Political Unit will report to Edith Chapin.

[Editor's Note: FOX News released an advertisement stating that several news networks, including CNN, missed covering the 'Tea Party' story. Here is CNN's response to the ad.]

CNN Press Release - CNN provided live coverage of the rally in Washington throughout the day Saturday, Sept. 12. CNN dispatched more than a dozen personnel and multiple camera crews, including the CNN Express, to cover the event. CNN’s deputy political director Paul Steinhauser was live at Freedom Plaza, CNN correspondent Kate Bolduan live from the West Front of the Capitol and roved the crowd, CNN’s Jim Spellman provided live hits all day after traveling for weeks on the actual Tea Party Express, and CNN’s Lisa Desjardins was live from the National Mall. CNN’s coverage included numerous live shots and interviews with protesters and newsmakers, including Sen. Jim DeMint who spoke at the rally and Art Gerhart, an activist, who was on the set with Don Lemon to discuss the rally.