Huck strongly hints that he is running (Updates)

Mark Halperin gets an email from Mike Huckabee to his inner circle that looks like it was written so that it would be usefully leaked.

It was this afternoon before I could even get word to all of my own children and even now, the executive producer of my show and the staff and crew of the show don’t know and won’t until I actually do the final preparation literally minutes before I share the decision live Saturday night.

I will look forward to speaking with you soon and once I fulfill my sworn obligation to Fox, I will be free to discuss things that I can’t now due to promises to them and to some possible legal considerations of the announcement.

Many friends have said, “how can we help you in the decision?” My answer has consistently been, “Pray that I have clarity.” I have it and will share it Saturday night during the show. Please be patient if I don’t respond immediately to an email because I expect that once I pull the trigger Saturday night, things will get even crazier, as if that’s possible. (emphasis added)

You don’t pull the trigger on not doing something. Triggers get pulled to put things in motion.

Donald Trump was accused of using his presidential run to build ratings for Celebrity Apprecentice. It looks like Huck has ripped that trick off and is using hints to build ratings for his Fox show, and build a buzz for his presidential run after that.

Update: So what does Huck’s radio silence to Ed Rollins mean? Well, it could mean Huck’s running, but Rollins won’t be on the team this time around.

Update: I have to admit that I never — never — watch Huck’s show but might watch out of curiosity tonight. He’s undoubtedly banking on the gawk factor, and the leaked email says as much if you read between the lines. As to the legality of announcing on his show, opinion is divided. But check out one of the possible ramifications for Fox if he does announce that he is running, and makes the announcement on Fox’s air.

The downside for Fox, however, is that under what remains of the “Fairness Doctrine,” Fox would have to grant every other candidate equal time to make a pitch in a five-minute segment that the candidate not Fox controls.

Although Fox News, like every other news organization, finds profit in interviewing well-known politicians and candidates, surrendering five minutes of prime-time TV programming to each of the seven or more 2012 presidential nomination seekers in what would amount to an unpaid “infomercial” for each is problematical.

“I don’t think Fox would like that,” said Liberty University lawyer Matthew Stover.

I don’t see why Fox wouldn’t like to be thrown into that briar patch. Fox wouldn’t control the five minutes they have to give to each candidate, but they would control everything else around those little infomercials. And, they would be the only channel to have all of the candidates making pitches on their network. Looks like a win-win to me.