Fox's Ailes to Run for President?

Friends and associates are encouraging Fox News chief Roger Ailes to jump into the political arena for real by running for president in 2012. "Ailes knows how to frame an issue better than anybody, and that's what we need now," says one Ailes friend who is encouraging the Fox founder, chairman and CEO to seek the Republican nomination to run against President Barack Obama. Ailes, 69, has an aggressive, winning personality that made Fox News a huge success — and a huge target for liberal critics. Frank Luntz, the well-known Republican pollster, said Ailes could be a force if he makes the run. "I have known Roger Ailes for 29 years," says Luntz. "No one knows how to win better than Roger." Talk of an Ailes run, which informed sources said is based on more than mere speculation, could escalate the White House war with Fox war in wildly unpredictable ­ and fun ­ ways. Ailes is laughing off the entreaties of some friends and associates and will not run for president in 2012, an aide said Friday. Ailes replied when asked about the possibility, according to the aide: "This country needs fair and balanced news more now than ever before, so I'm going to decline a run for the presidency. Besides, I can't take the pay cut."