Fox News has recently received a healthy dose of criticism over the fact that they employ no less than five potential 2012 GOP presidential candidates. As we've documented, from the beginning of the year through September 18, the various Fox candidates spoke through Fox News in at least 269 appearances on the network.

And as we noted yesterday, the Fox candidates are open about reaping the benefits that come with a platform on the network. Likely presidential candidate and Fox contributor Rick Santorum told National Review last month that his role on Fox has “been big” and “helped folks remember who I am.”

While much of the criticism has come from observers appalled at the lack of journalistic ethics inherent in a news network essentially paying political candidates while giving them a platform to address Republican voters, the network has also been targeted by the campaigns of non-Fox candidates considering presidential runs.

In September, Politico's Jonathan Martin and Keach Hagey reported that “officials with some of the other campaigns in waiting are plainly annoyed at the advantage they see the four potential GOP candidates have with Fox.” They also quoted an anonymous aide - anonymous because “no one wants to offend a news outlet with a potentially outsize role in determining the next GOP nominee” - saying that “I wish we could get that much airtime, but, oh yeah, we don't get a paycheck.”

So, now that the midterms are over and the media's attention inevitably turns to the GOP primary, how is Fox going to handle these complaints? By severing ties to its employees that double as putative presidential candidates, perhaps? No, that would be vaguely ethical.

Instead, if the last 24 hours are any indication, Fox may be increasing the presence of the non-Fox candidates on their network while prodding them about their presidential aspirations.

Last night, Sean Hannity hosted Rudy Giuliani and Tim Pawlenty and pressed both about whether they are considering presidential runs. Hannity kicked off his interview with Pawlenty by noting that “all eyes are starting to focus on 2012 and a few names are already popping up on everybody's short list of possible contenders.” Hannity noted that Pawlenty seems to be “laying the groundwork” for a possible run, then allowed him to basically give a stump speech explaining what makes him a good candidate. (Pawlenty also popped up on Fox & Friends this morning, where was again asked about a possible presidential run.)

But Pawlenty and Giuliani weren't the only possible presidential candidates Hannity hosted last night. He also invited Sarah Palin on the program and discussed with her whether she is considering running. The only difference was she got a paycheck on top of the promotion.