Fox News Suspends Gingrich, Santorum Contracts

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The new era of Fox Republicans–politicians who have gigs as Fox News contributors while also maybe, sorta exploring presidential runs–is already causing problems for both the network and the “candidates.” Earlier today, the network’s political anchor Bret Baier came on air to announce that Fox is suspending its contracts for Newt Gingrich and Rick Santorum. “The suspension is effective for 60 days,” he said. “Then on May 1, their contracts will be terminated unless they notify Fox that they are not running for president.”

Sarah Palin and Mike Huckabee, who are also Fox contributors but have apparently succeeded in being more coy about their intentions than Gingrich and Santorum, remain unaffected by the decision at this point.

The unprecedented number of major GOP figures who hold positions as Fox News contributors may pose long-term problems for the party as the people in the pool of potential presidential candidates weigh the rigors and sacrifices of running for president against the guaranteed money and free media on Fox that can fuel the lucrative career of simply being Sarah Palin or Newt Gingrich.

In a recent Bloggingheads conversation, Ramesh Ponnuru and I discussed this challenge for the GOP and how it could reshape presidential campaigns.

UPDATE: This Fox decision begs an obvious question (although not so obvious, as I missed it on the first read through…) Does this mean Palin and Huckabee have notified Fox that they are not running for president??