If you needed any more evidence that former Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin is far less concerned with winning the White House than she is with making money and building a brand, the New York Times reports:
Former Gov. Sarah Palin of Alaska has signed on as a contributor to the Fox News Channel. The network confirmed that Ms. Palin will appear on the network’s programming on a regular basis as part of a multi-year deal. Financial terms were not disclosed.
Ms. Palin will not have her own regular program, one person familiar with the deal said, though she will host an occasional series that will run on the network from time to time. This person would not elaborate, but the network does have a precedent for such a series. Oliver L. North is the host of an occasionally running documentary series on the military called “War Stories.”
Pollsters will tell you that Palin could still be a big factor in 2012 if she chooses to run. They will talk about how she is the biggest thing going now in Republican politics, about the passion she continues to exude on both sides. But that does not mean she will win. If Palin were serious about running for president and winning, she would be thinking about how to expand her support beyond the Republican party core that is fed by Fox News.
She is not thinking of these things, and with time it will dawn on the public consciousness that she is not a serious contender for the White House.
UPDATE: In addition to political commentary, Palin “will host periodic episodes of FNC’s ‘Real American Stories,’ a series exploring inspirational real-life tales of overcoming adversity throughout the American landscape that will debut in 2010.” More details from the Fox News press release here.