I can see the Andy Borowitz fake news headline now: MIKE HUCKABEE NAMED FOX NEWS CONTRIBUTOR; SAYS IT WON'T AFFECT HIS QUEST FOR VICE PRESIDENCY.

In truth, I would think the news revealed today that Huckabee is joining Fox News as a contributor would take his name off the short list for McCain's VP gig -- if it ever was there to begin with -- but these days, you never can tell.

Huckabee joins an interesting roster, which includes the man once hailed as "Bush's brain," strategist Karl Rove. Contributors are to be distinguished from schlubs like me, who are so dumb we go on these shows for free. He'll be getting a paycheck from Rupert Murdoch to share insights from the guy who landed in third place for the Republican nomination.

Here's the release from Fox News:

MIKE HUCKABEE JOINS FOX NEWS CHANNEL

Former Governor of Arkansas and 2008 Republican Presidential Candidate Mike Huckabee has joined FOX News Channel (FNC) as a contributor, announced Bill Shine, Senior Vice President of Programming.  Huckabee will regularly contribute to FNC’s America’s Election HQ coverage.

In making the announcement, Shine said, “Governor Huckabee’s campaign experience and knowledge of politics makes him a great addition to our ongoing election coverage.”

Huckabee campaigned for the Republican nomination for President during the 2008 primary season and notably served as the 44th Governor of the state of Arkansas from 1996 to 2007.  Before serving as Governor, Huckabee was elected Lieutenant Governor of Arkansas in 1993.  Prior to politics, he spent much of his adult life before as a Baptist pastor and denominational leader.

Huckabee has written five books including, From Hope to Higher Ground: 12 STOPS to Restoring America’s Greatness.  He has also received nationwide recognition for his many accomplishments including being named one of the five best governors in America by TIME magazine in 2005.

FOX News Channel (FNC) is a 24-hour general news service covering breaking news as well as political, entertainment and business news. For more than six years, FNC has been the most-watched cable news channel in the country, presenting the top eight out of ten programs in the genre for 2008 to date. Owned by News Corp., FNC is available in more than 90 million homes.