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Five big name Republicans have two things in common- they are all considering runs for president and are each employed by Fox News.

Former Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin, former Pennsylvania Sen. Rick Santorum and former House Speaker Newt Gingrich serve as contributors.

Former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee hosts a weekend show on the network.

And after Sunday's announcement that former U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations, John Bolton is "considering" a run, he can be added to the list of presidential hopefuls to grace the network.

None of the prospective candidates have made official announcements, but media buzz surrounds each of them, creating a monopoly of sorts for the news network.

Media critic Howard Kurtz, who also serves as Washington bureau chief for "The Daily Beast" and host of CNN's "Reliable Sources," said the exposure on Fox allows possible candidates the chance to answer questions where "the risks are low and the payoff could be quite high."

"For a Republican presidential candidate – even someone just thinking about running – a Fox platform is gold," Kurtz said in an e-mail. "Fox News is the go-to channel for most GOP primary voters, and being a host or frequent guest is a terrific platform in a friendly environment."

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