Robert Novak

Robert David Novak (born February 26, 1931) is an American journalist and political figure. Over his lengthy career, Bob Novak has become well-known both as a reporter and columnist (writing "Inside Report" since 1963) and as a television personality (appearing on many shows for CNN, most notably The Capital Gang, Crossfire, and Novak, Hunt, and Shields. His nickname is "The Prince of Darkness".

2005 Inside Politics incident

On August 4, 2005, Novak walked off the set during a live broadcast of the CNN show Inside Politics, on which he appeared along with Democratic strategist and analyst James Carville (whom Novak had debated with for years on Crossfire), and moderator Ed Henry.

Related Topics:
August 4 - 2005 - James Carville - Ed Henry

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

During a discussion of Republican representative Katherine Harris's just-announced 2006 campaign for the U.S. Senate and her claim that newspapers tried to tarnish her image by manipulating photos of her, Novak claimed he had experienced the same thing leading to a skeptical response from Carville.

Related Topics:
Katherine Harris - 2006 campaign

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Novak responded by saying "don't be too sure she's going to lose...all the establishment's against her and I've seen these Republican – anti-establishment candidates who do pretty well." Novak mentioned Ronald Reagan and Tom Coburn before seeing Carville preparing to talk. Novak cut into his comments and said "Just let me finish what I'm going to say, James. Please, I know you hate to hear me, but you have..." Carville cut in and said that Novak "got to show these right-wingers that he's got backbone, you know. It's why The Wall Street Journal editorial page is watching you. Show 'em you're tough."

Related Topics:
Ronald Reagan - Tom Coburn

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Novak responded "Well, I think that's bullshit. And I hate that." Novak then removed his microphone and walked off the set. Novak later denied that the CIA leak case was the reason for his walkout.

Related Topics:
Bullshit - Microphone

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

However, Novak had avoided comment on the Plame affair in previous interviews by claiming that his lawyers had advised him not to speak. Reporters interviewing Novak were warned that any attempt to raise his role in the Plame affair would cause the interview to be imediately terminated http://washingtonmonthly.com/features/2004/0412.sullivan.html. On August 1st however, Novak wrote a column on the affair in his

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Chicago Sun-Times column (?Ex-CIA official?s remark is wrong?). The fact that Novak had addressed the affair in print meant that CNN could not allow his previous "legal advice" excuse to stand without comment.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

In response to the incident, CNN suspended Novak calling the outburst "inexcusable and unacceptable," and apologized to its viewers.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~