Obama strategist David Axelrod joins MSNBC, NBC News as analyst

David Axelrod, former White House advisor and senior strategist for President Obama’s 2008 and 2012 election campaigns, is joining MSNBC and NBC News as a senior political analyst, the networks announced today.

It marks a return to the world of journalism for the formerly mustachioed politico. He was the City Hall bureau chief at the Chicago Tribune for eight years before launching his own media and political consulting firm.

His move is the latest in a post-election reshuffling at the cable news networks.

In January, former vice presidential candidate Sarah Palin left Fox News after three highly lucrative years as a paid contributor. The network has since hired former Massachusetts Sen. Scott Brown, who made his debut on “Hannity” last week. At CNN, long-time Democratic strategist James Carville and his Republican wife, Mary Matalin, were both cut loose in January.

Axelrod will be joining his counterpart from the 2008 McCain campaign, Steve Schmidt, also an analyst at MSNBC.

Axelrod will undoubtedly feel at home at the left-leaning MSNBC, where he’s been a frequent guest over the years. In December, he shaved his trademark mustache live on the “Morning Joe” program after hosts Joe Scarborough and Mika Brzezinski helped him raise $1 million for his epilepsy charity.

Axelrod made another appearance on the program Monday, sans facial hair, suggesting the ‘stache was not part of his deal.

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Fox News and Sarah Palin go their separate ways

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