In the first of what could be several announcements that may ransack Fox News of several of its prime contributors, the network officially suspended the contracts of former Speaker of the House Newt Gingrich and former Senator Rick Santorum. Normally, these sorts of payless hiatuses are the direct result of misconduct, but the story here is entirely different. You can’t maintain a news position while running for public office. It’s a conflict in interest, a blow to the station’s credibility and causes all sorts of havoc with government statutes that demand equal airtime for candidates.
According to The Hollywood Reporter, each has sixty days to decide whether or not he will run. Take a pass and the contract once again becomes effective; officially declare and the agreement will be terminated.
Many may wonder why likely Presidential candidates Mike Huckabee and Sarah Palin haven’t also been suspended. They’re widely expected to run, but neither has publically announced intentions. Once they do, they’ll be faced with the same sixty day decision Gingrich and Santorum were just hit with. Rumors are also swirling around a possible run for John Bolton. If he goes for it, that could mean a loss of five heavy contributors from Fox News’ arsenal. They’ll have no problem enlisting new faces, but it could end up causing a short term ratings decline.
