NEW YORK - CNN suspended commentator Robert Novak indefinitely after he swore and walked off the set Thursday during a debate with Democratic operative James Carville.
The exchange during CNN’s “Inside Politics” came during a discussion of Florida’s Senate campaign. CNN correspondent Ed Henry noted when it was through that he had been about to ask Novak about his role in the investigation of the leak of a CIA officer’s identity.
A CNN spokeswoman, Edie Emery, called Novak’s behavior “inexcusable and unacceptable.” Novak had apologized to CNN, and CNN was apologizing to viewers, she said.
I guess the stress of facing jail time is getting to him.
Dunno...I don't really think Carville won anything. They were doing what they both always did on Crossfire. I think Novak was looking for a reason to leave the set before he was questioned about Plame. I think it's just the stress.
Randy... There are quite a few commentators from the right on CNN..Not that it matters.
Coupla things here. First off, who in their right mind could sit across a little table while James Carvell flaps his gums atcha? He reminds me of a chiuaha with his leg caught in the door.
Second, why should Novak apologize to viewers for leaving? He may have done us a favor by shutting Carvel up. Further, I can always change the station when someone walks out.
And finally, I can't think of two more hot-headed emotional bags of spit than those two.
Coupla things here. First off, who in their right mind could sit across a little table while James Carvell flaps his gums atcha? He reminds me of a chiuaha with his leg caught in the door.
Second, why should Novak apologize to viewers for leaving? He may have done us a favor by shutting Carvel up. Further, I can always change the station when someone walks out.
And finally, I can't think of two more hot-headed emotional bags of spit than those two.
All and all, it was a nice day.
So then you would agree that it would be vis versa for the first paragraph?
Don't know why Novak should apologize for cussing and acting like a 4 year old? Probably to keep his job.
Again, I'm sure he's worried about a prison sentence.
Sarahnn wrote:Second, why should Novak apologize to viewers for leaving? He may have done us a favor by shutting Carvel up.
He will never shut Carvel up. If he cant keep his cool he shouldn't be on TV. He owes an apology to the viewers for acting like an ass in front of them. He is a very well paid profesional that is paid to do a job. He failed.
Sarahnn wrote:I think he owes his bosses and sponsors an apology, but not me. I won't boycott the sponsors.
Carvel is just not easy on the eyes. And Novak is just another talking head.
Sarahnn....the thing is, these two have been regulars on Crossfire when it was on for years. What Carville was doing is nothing different that what both of them have done for years on that show. It's really not about what Carville was doing. That was a smokescreen for Novak. He didn't want to answer any questions about the Plame investigations and his part in it.
Now, what's this about boycotting sponsors? I don't think it's about that unless Novak is garnering support from talk radio hosts and Fox pundits? No matter, it's immaterial. Novak screwed up. Not so much on the show but by being the mouth piece for a political abuse of power at the very least. It's something he's done before but this time, I guess maybe he was too stupid to think about his actions.
downhill wrote:Sarahnn.... It's something he's done before but this time, I guess maybe he was too stupid to think about his actions.
It's hard to believe he's not already doing time.
Well, I'll look into it further but for the time being...I think we are not persecuting Novak for walking off the set. I think his walking off the set gave his enemies some ammo. If anything, he let himself down but sometimes, for guys, it's wise to just walk away. The only swearword I'm aware of him saying is "Bullsh*t" That's not a swear word, it's stuff they got on every cattle farm across America.
Sarahnn wrote:. The only swearword I'm aware of him saying is "Bullsh*t" That's not a swear word, it's stuff they got on every cattle farm across America.
I can guarantee you that this is something I probably know more about than just about anyone here.
Done a little roping...(very little as I sucked at it) branding...dehorning...moving them little doggies to better pasture, setting out saltblocks, feeding hay, grass, silage, pulling calves, breaking horses and even tried to ride one bull. I've scrapped a ton of that stuff off my boots. I doubt Novak has ever seen it.
There isn't a single news article I've read that didn't surmise that he walked of to avoid any Plame questions. That's what it's all about.
My bet is mostly stress. He probably gets a ton of hatemail and some threats, plus the very real chance of incarceration if his story and those of other people don't jibe in front of the Federal Grand Jury.
I think he had a sort of panic attack once he realized what he said. He then decided he had to get out of there right away, it was almost a fight-or-flight reaction as I view it.
In the back of his head had to be the thoughts about the Valerie Plame questions he was going to get hit with. You gotta know Carville would be standing on his chair calling Novak a coward for not answering the questions. "Come on Robert, for once tell the American people the truth..." You know it'd be happening. So do I. So did Novak. And that, I think, sent him over the edge when Carville opened up about him being watched by the Editorial pages of the NYT.
There are quite a few commentators from the right on CNN..Not that it matters.
