For the second time in less than a week, Fox News has had to issue a public statement affirming that Sarah Palin is still an employee of the network. Which is to say that this is the second time in less than a week that the cable news network has made itself part of the conversation swirling around Palin's potential bid for the Republican presidential nomination.

Palin, of course, is in the middle of a highly publicized “bus tour” that many interpret as a stepping stone to a White House run, and Fox News is in the uncomfortable ethical position of having to repeatedly affirm that Palin is on its payroll as she (possibly) seeks elected office.

On May 26, Fox News executive vice president Bill Shine gave a statement to the Daily Caller in which he said: “We are not changing Sarah Palin's status.” Since then, Palin has traveled up the east coast toying with reporters and making vague comments about her presidential aspirations: “I don't know, I honestly don't know. It's still a matter of considering much -- there truly is a lot to consider before you throw your name out there in the name of service because it's so all consuming.”

After touring New York City today, Palin met with Fox News executives. Following the meeting, Politico's Ben Smith quoted Bill Shine reaffirming that Palin is, for the moment, still a Fox News employee: “Right now there is no change in her status with FOX News.”