NYT: Novak Walks Off Live CNN Program

[Goldmund]

Robert D. Novak, the syndicated columnist whose unmasking of a C.I.A. operative touched off an investigation about a possible leak, stalked off a live appearance on CNN yesterday afternoon after James Carville, the Democratic strategist, accused him of trying to make a particular point "to show these right wingers" that he had "backbone" and was "tough."

The moderator of the program, Ed Henry, later said on the air that he had warned Mr. Novak that he planned to ask him "about the C.I.A. leak case."

"Hopefully, we'll be able to ask him about that in the future," Mr. Henry said.

That opportunity may not arrive soon. About two hours later, a spokeswoman for CNN, Laurie Goldberg, released a statement saying that the network had "asked Mr. Novak to take some time off." Asked later in a telephone interview whether Mr. Novak was being suspended from his work at the Cable News Network, Ms. Goldberg said, "We're characterizing it as a mutual decision."

More: http://www.nytimes.com/2005/08/05/politics/05novak.html?hp&ex=1123300800&en=3f3cc789911d6a2e&ei=5094&partner=homepage

[Erika]

1. He lost it bigtime

These conservative journalists sacrificed their integrity to be Bush apologists, and lost it all.

[aquart]

2. Stress.

How much does Fitzgerald have on him? See, that's what grand juries do. The people involved, the ones who are lying, I mean, begin to physically disintegrate.

Start looking for cool tics and stammers and appointments with back doctors.

[ribrepin]

3. I'll probably be slammed for saying this

I wonder who's side Novak is really on. Rove and the gang were running around outing Joe Wilson's wife to select folks. Novak let the whole world know what Rove was up to.

The story had died down in the last few weeks and here comes Bob to reinvigorate the story. Bob looked really pissed when he left set, so I doubt this is the case.

I think Bob is the gift who keeps this story front and center.

[Melodybe]

4. nope, Cooper is the one that implicated Rove, not Novak

Novak may have rolled over to avoid jail, but he has been very tight lipped and apologetic of Bushco. In short the man deserves NO PRAISE of any kind.

[ribrepin]

6. Not praising the man

Gotta admit this wouldn't be a story without good old Bob and he's come though again. I doubt Bob is on our side, but his antics today have definitely made this a story again.

[Melodybe]

9. I see your point and I wholeheartedly agree. Little rat bastard!

[BuyingThyme]

7. What has Novak told us about Rove?

[ribrepin]

10. Novak hasn't said anything

His original article let the world know that someone was running around outing CIA agents. The other smarter reporters kept the story to themselves.

I really don't think Novak did it to blow the whistle on the Bush administration, but his article set up the federal investigation. His antics today put the story back on the front page.

[BuyingThyme]

11. Yes, he's drawing some nice Thursday/Friday attention.

Even CNN had to cover it.

[ribrepin]

13. My point exactly

Novak started this story and is keeping it alive.

I can just see Rove down in Crawford cussing about today's events. "That Rat Bastard Novak has got this back on the front page after all I've done to divert attention. We nominated Roberts for supreme court and sent Attila the Hun the UN. Now Novak melts down on national TV and this %$#@ story is back."

Couldn't happen to a nicest bunch of assholes!!!

[DesEtoiles]

16. Novak is an arrogant bully-he's thrashing and writhing because he can't

quash anyone or anything at his whim. Beginning to realize he may NOT be above the law.

[andino]

5. All I got to say is WAY TO GO James Carville !!!!

That whole thing just made my day!

[renate]

8. we're characterizing it as a mutual decision

boy, they're not even trying to cover for him, are they

[Media_Lies_Daily]

14. Nope...Bobby-boy's toast!

[Syrinx]

12. what Carville said to the Times

Asked last night in a telephone interview why he thought Mr. Novak had acted as he did, Mr. Carville said, "Bob's probably got a lot going on in his life."

[flordehinojos]

15. why had Ed Henry informed Novak that he planned to ask him about the Plame

affair? After all ... EVANS AND NOVAK were both famous for "and when we come back we'll ask our guest THE BIG QUESTION". That could've been a BIG QUESTION moment for Ed Henry and a BIG ANSWER moment for NOVAK.

Was Ed Henry trying to PROTECT NOVAK?

I didn't see the program, and I haven't watched the tape but from what I read the storming off of the CNN set was a big dramatic moment for NOVAK...maybe it was all a big time show for a man in his golden years...not the kind of show that he may have wanted somehow, but a show, nevertheless.

[Rex]

17. The sounds of traitor, Traitor, TRAITOR

must be a horrible sound to hear all day long. Whispers, murmurs, maybe a cohort, maybe the guy by the soda machine. They all look at him and think it. He thinks it. I think it.