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Rove returns to Fox after 27-day absence

He’s back — Karl Rove returned to Fox News on Monday night for his first appearance in 27 days.

The Fox News contributor, who was reportedly benched from the cable network, was back on the air Monday on “Special Report with Bret Baier.” Rove, who appeared alongside Democratic consultant and fellow Fox News contributor Joe Trippi, discussed the implications of the looming fiscal cliff.

“Gentlemen, welcome back,” Baier said after introducing the pair.

“Good to be back,” Trippi replied.

Rove did not say anything to address his return.

Last week, New York’s Gabe Sherman reported that Fox News president Roger Ailes told staffers to keep the main faces associated with the election — namely, Rove and Dick Morris — off the air for a while. According to the report, producers were ordered to get permission before booking either pundit.

Rove was last on Fox News on Nov. 13, when he appeared on “Hannity” to discuss government regulations. The Nov. 13 “Hannity” show also marked fellow Fox News contributor Morris’s last appearance on the network. Trippi, meanwhile, was last on Fox News on the Nov. 30 edition of “Happening Now.”

During Monday night's "Special Report," Rove suggested several ideas to deal with the fiscal cliff and tax policy, including capping itemized deductions at $25,000 or at $50,000. He also said "it’s going to be very hard to get the Republican caucus to go for rates. They’ve offered revenues — they said, look, okay, fine, you won the election. We’ll give you the $800 billion, but let’s find it in a way that has less of an economic impact.”

As the eight minute segment wrapped, Baier told the pair, “Gentlemen, we will do it again. Thanks very much.”

Update (Dec. 11, 1:50 p.m.):

Rove has added a Dec. 12 appearance on "The O'Reilly Factor," according to his website.