Arlen Specter accused Bob Novak of libel (in a newspaper letter).

[displacedtexan]

Does this mean that the accusation just sits there, or do you think Specter plans to go after Novak in the courts?

Libel is an extremely serious charge.

Here's the skinny:

Sen. Arlen Specter:
Novak column was a malicious attack on "revered" staffer
By Sen. ARLEN SPECTER
Guest Commentary
Telephone Credit Union

THE ROBERT NOVAK syndicated column dated July 21 libeled Ms. Bettilou Taylor, who is one of the most respected, really revered, staffers after serving 16 years in the United States Senate. During that time, she has been my top aide on the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Labor, Health and Human Services and Education, which I chair. --snip--

The Novak column falsely and maliciously accuses her of conflict of interest by orchestrating a hearing to grill Kenneth Tomlinson, chairman of the Board of the Corporation for Public Broadcasting (CPB) while her husband consulted for the Association of Public Television Stations.

The hearing was my idea.

Libel. Falsely. Maliciously.

Serious words.

Here's what Novak wrote:

Sen. Arlen Specter, a busy man with multiple duties, was understandably unprepared July 11 as he chaired a rare Senate Appropriations subcommittee hearing about public television.

The hearing's purpose was to grill Kenneth Y. Tomlinson, Corporation for Public Broadcasting board chairman, about hiring two consultants in his campaign against liberal bias on the airwaves. Not only Specter's questions but the hearing itself was orchestrated by subcommittee staff director Bettilou Taylor, whose husband, Domenic Ruscio, is a longtime consultant hired by the Association of Public Television Stations.

The links are posted on my blog (link is under the burning Bush below).

Does Specter have a case?

[kestrel91316]

1. I don't think Specter has the standing to sue Novak for this.

Bettilou Taylor was libeled? Then SHE has the standing to sue over it. All Specter can do is get all huffy about it.