On Wednesday’s broadcast of Fox News’ “Happening Now,” Bret Baier, host of “Special Report,” announced the network would be suspending the contracts of former Speaker of the House Newt Gingrich and former Pennsylvania Sen. Rick Santorum, both Fox News contributors, pending the announcement of their intentions to run for president of the United States.
“Effective today, March 2, Fox News has suspended its contributor arrangements with former House Speaker Newt Gingrich and former Pennsylvania Sen. Rick Santorum, both of whom have signaled possible runs for the president,” Baier said. “The suspension is effective for 60 days, then on May 1, their contracts will be terminated unless they notify Fox that they are not running for president. This had been contemplated from the start, from the very beginning, but that is effective today, the suspension of the contributor arrangements of former House Speaker Newt Gingrich and former Pennsylvania Sen. Rick Santorum.”
The potential conflicts of interest had been a point of contention for left-wing activist group Media Matters, but as Baier explained this was Fox News Channel’s standard operating policy.
“This is Fox policy,” he said. “This is the announcement that’s being made today. It does not preclude other announcements that may be made in the future, but that’s what we have today. This 60-day suspension then by May 1, a determination of whether they’re going to run, then those contracts will be terminated.”
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It remains unclear what this means for Fox News contributor Sarah Palin, the former governor of Alaska, and Fox News host Mike Huckabee, the former governor of Arkansas, who are also perceived to be contemplating a 2012 White House bid.