Here's the surest sign Palin isn't running: Fox News doesn't take her seriously enough to take her off the payroll now or in the very near future. Remember, the cable news network harangued and then eventually severed the lucrative contracts of sure-thing candidates Newt Gingrich and Rick Santorum. And it also stayed notably mum on Mike Huckabee until, surprise, the former Arkansas governor said he'd rather just take the money instead of slog through a candidacy.

For those keeping score, that's three-for-three in correct presidential predictions by the Fox News top brass. So, even though Palin has recaptured her political headway by declaring a two-hour epic movie and a East coast bus tour, here's what the Fox programming Vice President told CNN about her paid contributor contract today: "We are not changing Sarah Palin's status." There doesn't appear to be any gray area there yet. Who wants to bet Fox News will go four-for-four?

Want to add to this story? Let us know in comments or send an email to the author at ehayden at nationaljournal dot com. You can share ideas for stories on the Open Wire.
Erik Hayden