Why Palin left FOX News

Sarah Palin

Sarah Palin / AP

Sarah Palin addresses FOX News exit: We can't just preach to the choir

Jan. 29, 2013, 3:12 PM EST

By Tim Kenneally
TheWrap

Former Alaska governor and vice presidential candidate Sarah Palin has broken her silence after parting ways with FOX News, saying that she's ready to reach a larger audience and suggesting that she's ready to take on another media gig.

Though it's not quite a "larger audience," in an exclusive interview with Breitbart.com, Palin tells Stephen K. Bannon, producer and director of the 2011 Palin documentary "The Undefeated," that she and other "believers in American exceptionalism" need to reach beyond the converted to spread their message.

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Asked what's next following her split with FOX News, where she served as a contributor until last week, Palin offered, "Short term: I encourage others to step out in faith, jump out of the comfort zone and broaden our reach as believers in American exceptionalism.

"That means broadening our audience," she continued." I'm taking my own advice here as I free up opportunities to share more broadly the message of the beaut! y of freedom and the imperative of defending our republic and restoring this most exceptional nation.

"We can't just preach to the choir; the message of liberty and true hope must be understood by a larger audience," Palin added.

As for her post-FOX career options, Palin said that "the door is wide open," including for another potential media position.

"I know the country needs more truth-telling in the media, and I'm willing to do that. So, we shall see," Palin said. "And always in the center of it all I have an awesome, full, exciting and large family living in a very unique part of America that keeps me hopping! I love it!"

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Palin hopped off of the FOX News contributors' roster earlier this month, after working for the network since January 2010. While a spokesperson for the network didn't say whose decision the departure was, The New York Times reported that Palin's contract had expired and was not picked up, following negotiations that continued well into January.

At the time of the split, FOX News' executive vice president ofprogramming, Bill Shine, said, "We have thoroughly enjoyed our association with Governor Palin. We wish her the best in her future endeavors."

Palin's departure followed news that FOX News had reupped its agreement with Karl Rove, the former senior adviser to George W. Bush, and added liberal former presidential candidate Dennis Kucinich to its stable of contributors.


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