Sarah Palin Joins Fox Den, Keeps Options Open For Oprah Takeover

Ever since the majority of Americans gave a giant thumbs down to the John McCain presidential ticket in 2008, Sarah Palin has been peddling her memoir Going Rogue and considering her Next Step. Among the many possibilities: Design a line of smart, reasonably-priced lady suits and matching handbags; launch a motivational speaking tour targeting oppressed hockey moms of America; develop a limited edition Lenscrafters eyeglass frame or lend her camera-ease to the nation's leading conservative news station. Finally, the former Alaskan governor has come to a decision, one that smartly allows her to take advantage of her conservative roots while hunting the leading daytime talk show host. Those handbags will have to wait.

Fox News Channel has confirmed that Palin will be appearing on the network's programming regularly, as part of a multiyear deal whose financial terms were not released. While she will not have her own "regular" show, an insider hinted that she will be able to host a series that runs on the air "from time to time", much like how Oliver L. North's documentary series War Stories runs.

The deal, which will be officially announced later this afternoon, will leave Palin room to pursue the kind of talk show she playfully skirted around during her sit-down with Oprah Winfrey last November.

· Sarah Palin to Contribute to Fox News [NYT]