After Mike Huckabee revealed on his Fox News show last night that he would not seek the Republican nomination for president in 2012, Politico reported in its story on Huckabee's decision yet more evidence that his Fox News contract was a major factor in his decision:

Despite few signs of visible political movement, Huckabee was able to stay undecided for months thanks to that consistent strength in both national and early-state polls. He would have entered the race as a clear frontrunner and, unlike during his dark horse run in 2008, likely seen the doors of donors and institutional players open to him because of it.

The decision to stay out for now allows Huckabee to continue one thing that has eluded him for much of his life -- making money. As far back as last February, he was citing the paycheck he'd be walking away from as a factor against running. And a source inside Fox News told POLITICO that Huckabee has been discussed as a possible replacement for the departing Glenn Beck.(Huckabee's executive producer, Woody Fraser, is said to be close with Fox News president Roger Ailes.)

[...]

Huckabee's unorthodox approach to revealing personal political news capped a two-day media tour of Fox properties in which he whipped up a frenzy of interest, while leaving his own closest friends and advisers in the dark.

The entire Politico article is available here.