SARAH PALIN, who regularly rips into the media, is becoming a television pundit at a place where she’s likely to feel at home.
A Fox News executive said the network will shortly announce that the former vice-presidential nominee is signing on as a contributor.
Mrs Palin, who resigned as governor of Alaska last summer, will appear as a commentator on various Fox shows. She will also host an occasional programme that will examine inspirational tales involving ordinary Americans.
Mrs Palin will join Mike Huckabee, who was also involved in the 2008 campaign, as a Fox contributor. The exposure can only help her if she decides to pursue a 2012 presidential bid.
At the moment, Mrs Palin makes pronouncements mainly through her Facebook page. The Fox connection would give her a platform on the nation’s top-rated cable news channel.
Mrs Palin is extremely popular with her conservative base, which has fuelled the sales of her best-selling memoir. But she is a divisive political figure who not only draws the ire of liberals but some Republicans, including staffers who dealt with her during her run as John McCain’s running mate.
Steve Schmidt, a top McCain strategist, said on 60 Minutes on Monday night that “there were numerous instances that she said things that were – that were not accurate – that ultimately, the campaign had to deal with.”
Hiring Mrs Palin could further boost the popularity of Rupert Murdoch’s network among conservative viewers. The network already employs former Bush White House aide Karl Rove and former House speaker Newt Gingrich as highly visible commentators. – (Washington Post-Bloomberg)