Fox & Friends

Most mainstream Republicans would love to see the birther issue dead and buried before the 2012 elections, but Trump doesn't want to appear to let go. And the "Fox and Friends" pulpit will allow him to say provocative things early in the week, which is certain to draw attention from presidential contenders such as Tim Pawlenty, who not only now has to compete for oxygen with the say-anything Donald, but also with unrepentant bomb-throwers such as Michele Bachmann and Newt Gingrich. Oddly enough, Trump is gaining a Fox News platform when some of his possible rivals for the GOP nomination have lost theirs. The network cut ties with Gingrich and former Pennsylvania Sen. Rick Santorum when they became clear about their presidential aspirations, and is poised to do the same with Mike Huckabee and Sarah Palin if the time arises.

