No matter what you think of Fox News, you've got to hand it to them. By programming to the right-wingers and conservatives -- and attracting the moderates and liberals who want to see what their ideological counterparts are discussing -- the network has managed to top the cable news wars.


Now comes the announcement that former Republican vice presidential candidate Sarah Palin will be a regular contributor to the cable channel.



According to Market Watch:

For Fox, the addition gives its conservative political base one more reason to tune in, as Palin is the darling of many sectors of the Republican Party. Fox has surged far ahead of rivals CNN and MSNBC...so it isn't necessarily fretting about losing its sizable advantage in the ratings. But it's always good business to give the people what they want, and they can't get enough of Palin. Palin, for her part, now has an opportunity to appear as an expert commentator on political and family issues. This enables her to stay in the public eye prior to the 2012 presidential election. Pundits have speculated that Palin, who was the Republican vice presidential candidate in 2008, is gearing up for a run against President Obama in 2012.


But just like when she was a vice-presidential candidate, being in the public spotlight could blow up in Palin's face. Democrats will have three years to gather a best of from Palin's on-the-air missteps.


Sen. John McCain thought that Palin would revitalize his candidacy and it did for a few days. But after the hype deflated, Palin's ignorant comments (not being able to name magazines and newspapers that she regularly reads and her "Russia can be seen from Alaska" answer to a question about foreign policy) hurt McCain's candidacy.


And Palin's crazy comments haven't stopped since President Obama won the election. See her comments about babies with Down syndrome and death panels and about the non-existent White House Department of Law.


Fox should give Palin a prime-time spot. Let her discuss the issues of the day by adding her own unique commentary. It will do wonders for ratings and increase already impressive profits (Palin's bank account will gain a few pounds, too). As for Sarah Palin for president in 2012, if I were President Obama, I'd make sure my DVR had enough space.