August 04, 2005

Old Fart

Bob Novak, the "Prince of Darkness" uttered a profanity and stormed off a CNN set.

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."

James Carville is probably still laughing his ass off. You could blame it on age or all the Valarie Plame stress. Novak is a 74-year-old man. His television days are done, "time off" or no time off.

The Political Teen doesn't let me down and has the video.

"CNN Suspends Robert Novak for On-Air Outburst"

"Novak Walks Off"