Robert Novak Storms off CNN’s live Inside Politics
August 5, 2005 
Who didn’t see this one coming in one way or another?
Robert Novak stormed off CNN’s Inside Politics, a live program, after a confrontation with former fellow CNN Crossfire host, Democratic Strategist James Carville.
Did Novak really think he could continue contributing his political opinions to CNN without any host bringing up Valerie Plame / CIA agent leak questions? It was bound to happen sooner or later. Of course, he handled it admirably, didn’t he?
Novak Walks Off Live CNN Program:
The heated exchange occurred in a minidebate between Mr. Carville and Mr. Novak over the possibility that Representative Katherine Harris of Florida, that state’s former secretary of state, could win the Republican nomination for a Senate seat.
“She might get elected,” Mr. Novak said.
After Mr. Carville tried to interrupt Mr. Novak twice, Mr. Novak said: “I know you hate to hear me. But you have to.”
Mr. Carville interrupted again, saying of Mr. Novak, “He’s got to show these right-wingers that he’s got backbone.”
A moment later, Mr. Carville said directly to Mr. Novak: “The Wall Street Journal editorial page is watching you. Show them you’re tough.”
Mr. Novak responded with a profanity, before telling Mr. Carville: “I hate that. Just let it go.”
He stood up, removed his microphone and walked off.
About two hours later, a CNN spokeswoman released a statement that the cable news channel had “asked Mr. Novak to take some time off.” Sounds like the appropriate reaction to cursing and storming off the show like that, doesn’t it?
Let’s see how long Novak will be “given” time off by CNN. The ironic part is that it never came to this in all the years Novak was a host on Crossfire. Seems like his involvement in the Valerie Plame scandal is starting to catch up with him. Finally.
UPDATE: Here’s the video of the whole episode.
