Fox News suspends Newt Gingrich, Rick Santorum

[longnecker]

Fox News' Bret Baier announced Wednesday that his network is suspending its contracts with two paid contributors, Newt Gingrich and Rick Santorum, as they consider a run for the Republican presidential nomination.

Both Gingrich and Santorum are widely expected to seek the nomination. Fox News has said that if and when any of its contributors and personalities enter the race they will lose their contract with the network.

"The suspension is effective for 60 days, then on May 1st, their contracts will be terminated unless they notify Fox they are not running for president," Baier said on the air Wednesday, according to TV Newser. He added that the move "had been contemplated from the start, from the very beginning."

Apparently not included in the suspension is former GOP vice presidential nominee Sarah Palin, a paid Fox News contributor who is also publicly considering a presidential run. Neither is Mike Huckabee, who hosts his own show on the network and is flirting with a 2012 bid. Former ambassador John Bolton, who is also paid by the network, is considering a run as well.

Fox News did not immediately respond to a request for further details on the arrangement or clarification on why Palin, Huckabee and Bolton are not included in the suspension. Baer said on the air that Wednesday's announcement "does not preclude other announcements that may be made in the future."

Gingrich, the former House speaker, had been expected to announce he was forming a presidential exploratory committee Thursday, though his office has since indicated he will not yet take that formal step. He has declined interviews from a variety of media outlets in recent months by citing his commitment to Fox News.

Fox maintains that its contributors will not be given preferential treatment if they do enter the race and will be covered like any other candidate. All five of the contributors considering presidential runs are Republicans.

[GoodAmerican]

Faux news making itself look fair and balanced..... despite the S. court ruling that allows them to withhold facts from the public just as if it was some sort of an entertainment type enterprise.

(ummm, we didnt hear much about that S. court case did we?)

Peace

[Silver Eagle]

Maybe Newt can get Sarah P to run as his VP, Two looser's .