Edward J. Rollins is a political commentator for CBS News and a strategic consultant. He was most recently the Co-Chairman and Campaign Manager of the Ross Perot Presidential Campaign.
Mr. Rollins has long been known as one of America’s premiere corporate and political strategists. He has served in the Administrations of three Republican Presidents—Richard Nixon, Gerald Ford and, most recently, Ronald Reagan. While serving as Assistant to the President for Political Affairs in Reagan’s first term, President Reagan chose Mr. Rollins to serve as the national Campaign Director for his 1984 re-election campaign. He guided that campaign to the largest electoral landslide in American history, carrying 49 states for the Reagan-Bush ticket.
After the campaign Mr. Rollins rejoined the Administration as one of the President’s top advisors, serving as Assistant to the President and Deputy Chief of Staff for Political and Governmental Affairs.
In addition to his White House posts, Mr. Rollins has held managerial positions outside of politics including stints as a university administrator, college instructor in Public Administration, Dean of the faculty of the National Fire Academy, head of Congressional relations for the U.S. Department of Transportation and as a management consultant to major U.S. and international Fortune 500 companies.
Throughout his national political career, Mr. Rollins has been one of America’s most sought after Republican spokesmen and strategists, winning the respect of candidates, the news media, and his Democratic counterparts. He has appeared regularly on news shows such as Face the Nation, Meet the Press, This Week With David Brinkley, Nightline, CNN Newsmaker, Crossfire and the nightly broadcasts of the major networks.
Prior to coming to Washington, Mr. Rollins held several positions in the California legislature. He served as the Republican chief of staff, Principal Assistant to the Republican Leader, and Assistant to the Speaker of the California State Assembly.
He is a graduate of the California State University system where he also completed graduate studies in Political Science and Public Administration. He was born in Boston and lives in Alexandria, Virginia with his wife.
