CNN suspends Robert Novak for on-air outburst
LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - CNN issued a public rebuke to syndicated columnist and political analyst Robert Novak and asked him to "take some time off" after he uttered a profanity and walked off the set during a live broadcast on Thursday.
The on-air outburst by Novak, 74, came when the conservative commentator was interrupted by liberal political strategist James Carville during a discussion of the upcoming U.S. Senate race in Florida on CNN's "Inside Politics" show.
"Let me finish what I was going to say, James, please. I know you hate to hear me," Novak said as he and Carville jousted over the Senate election chances of Republican U.S. Rep. Katherine Harris.
Carville persisted, saying: "You got to show those right-wingers that he's got backbone. ... the Wall Street Journal editorial page is watching. Show 'em you're tough."
An angry Novak shot back, "I think that's bull****, and I hate that." Then to the show's host, Ed Henry, he added, "Just let it go," before standing up from his seat, unclipping his microphone and walking off the set.
Carville and Henry continued the discussion without pausing, but Henry acknowledged Novak's departure at the end of the hour, saying he was sorry "Bob Novak left the set a little early."
CNN, a unit of Time Warner Inc., later issued a statement chiding Novak for his conduct.
"Bob Novak's behavior on CNN today was inexcusable and unacceptable," the network said. "Mr. Novak has apologized to CNN, and CNN apologizes to its viewers for his language and actions. We've asked Mr. Novak to take some time off."
Novak has been the subject of intense media interest for months as a central figure in a political scandal involving the public disclosure of CIA agent Valerie Plame's identity and investigations of that leak.
Federal investigators are looking into who leaked the identity of the covert agent, whose name appeared in a July 14, 2003 newspaper column by Novak.
Henry told viewers he had informed Novak in advance of Thursday's show that he intended to ask him on the air about his role in the Plame affair but missed the opportunity when Novak walked off.
A publicist for Novak at CNN said the veteran columnist had no additional comment.
Novak has been a regular CNN contributor since his days as a conservative commentator on the public affairs show "Crossfire." His newspaper column is syndicated nationally.
http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20050805/pl_nm/media_novak_dc
I think John Stewart got it right when he said Novak is melting from the inside.
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