novak loses it

August 4, 2005 3:43 PM

novak loses itsome are guessing because the host had warned him he would be asked about the valerie wilson outing ...
posted by specialk420 (96 comments total)

"some are guessing?"

That's deep analysis. Another "guess" would be that Carville was being his typical ass-self and Novack got fed up with it.

Could you point to anything that would suggest that Novack or Carville were reacting in any way to anything that had to do with the Joe Wilson gripe?
posted by dios at 3:52 PM on August 4, 2005

And the "chicken" tag is so very quaint.
posted by dios at 3:54 PM on August 4, 2005

At least "some are guessing" in this case really means "some are guessing." Contrast this with "some say."
posted by rxrfrx at 3:58 PM on August 4, 2005

Fuck Novak up the urethra with a rolled-up subpoena. If he can't take the heat he shouldn't have outed a CIA agent.
posted by Rothko at 3:59 PM on August 4, 2005

What the fuck did Novak think would be the primary topic, his BM's?
posted by docpops at 3:59 PM on August 4, 2005

Another "guess" would be that Carville was being his typical ass-self...
posted by dios at 3:52 PM PST on August 4

I'm just impressed [the mentally handicapped] can figure out how to work a CD player.
posted by dios at 10:12 AM PST on August 3
posted by Optimus Chyme at 3:59 PM on August 4, 2005

So from one side we've got someone talking about Carville's "ass-self" and from the other calls to fuck Novak in the urethra with a subpoena.

Bravo, Metafilter people. You have done us proud.
posted by xmutex at 4:09 PM on August 4, 2005

Bravo, Metafilter people. You have done us proud.

Oh, please.
posted by Rothko at 4:10 PM on August 4, 2005

I would have gone with the douchebagofliberty tag.
posted by smackfu at 4:11 PM on August 4, 2005

Good point Optimus Chyme.
posted by caddis at 4:14 PM on August 4, 2005

Either he couldn't stand up to Carville or he is a wimp about Plame, in either event he shouldn't have shown up in the first place if he didn't have the balls.
posted by caddis at 4:16 PM on August 4, 2005

I just think it's funny how Carville sits there laughing while Novak totally loses his shit. It's like they were fighting over who got the favor of the moderator. "you're gonna let that go?"

I miss what really sets him off, but Novak's head nod as he throws the mike is hilarious.

Hey xmutex, you should really get off the notion of splitting everything into one or two sides. you must get disappointed a lot.
posted by Busithoth at 4:18 PM on August 4, 2005

actually if you check the transcript - or watch the video... carville's comment was hardly enough to prompt the walk away ....

"He’s got to show these right-wingers that he’s got a back bone, ya know? Wall Street Journal editorial page is watching. You show ‘em you’re tough…"

one would guess its not a huge stretch to guess that novak ran for cover.... now it looks like he's "taking some time off" perhaps cnn should get amy goodman to replace the scumbag novak.

democracy now had a great piece on the entire plame/wilson affair today.
posted by specialk420 at 4:18 PM on August 4, 2005

This is just nonsense. Novak used to be the right-wing guy in Crossfire, and now we're supposed to believe that he just lost his cool because Carville was talking at the same time as he was, which is exactly what used to happen on his show pretty much every night?

Something tells me Bob's feeling the other shoe starting to drop.
posted by clevershark at 4:22 PM on August 4, 2005

Flame-out on CNN! Crash-and-burn!
posted by ericb at 4:27 PM on August 4, 2005

Amy Goodman is one of my heros.
I ♥ Amy Goodman.
posted by caddis at 4:30 PM on August 4, 2005

In watching that clip it's hilarious that Novak claims to be a victim of nefarious Photoshoppers (ala Katherine Harris) when he states:

"A lot of my trouble in the world is they've doctored my makeup and colorized me in a lot of newspapers on my picture. I sympathize with her."

Oh my, persecution by Photoshop.
posted by ericb at 4:36 PM on August 4, 2005

And CNN has posted a link to the video on their homepage as "featured video" -- "Novak walks off set."
posted by ericb at 4:41 PM on August 4, 2005

This is Bullshit.
posted by stbalbach at 4:42 PM on August 4, 2005

You're hurting America. Please stop.
posted by gleuschk at 4:49 PM on August 4, 2005

What I find funny is that news was happening right in front of them on live tv and the journalist?/interviewer?/reporter?/anchorman?/actor just ignored anything real and kept reading his script. It took until the CNN "blogger" to note that, well, basically a piece of interesting news just happened.

A nice clear look inside what the sad excuse we have of a ""media"" as well as a peek into Novak's complicated little web of ... whatever his web is of.

And dios, poor dios, your whole argument is "I don't like Carville." You're losing it, my man. Have you already stormed off in a huff?
posted by 31d1 at 4:58 PM on August 4, 2005

Hey Bob, you can do that on Metafilter any day and get away with it. Please consider joining.
posted by realcountrymusic at 5:00 PM on August 4, 2005

So when do we get to see Bob Novak's MetaTalk-style flameout?
posted by grouse at 5:03 PM on August 4, 2005

Hey Bob, you can do that on Metafilter any day and get away with it. Please consider joining.

Watch -- a "sock puppet" Bob Novak might appear here sometime soon.
posted by ericb at 5:04 PM on August 4, 2005

Just remember the lucid statement of dear John Stewart (paraphrasing) : CNN is theater.
posted by ddf at 5:10 PM on August 4, 2005

I just watched the segment from "Crooks & Liars."

It's pretty obvious that Novack feigned outrage as an excuse to dodge questions about the Rove/Plame affair.

Such ballsy republicons....
posted by rougy at 5:29 PM on August 4, 2005

That was hilarious.

Somebody call the wahmbulance.
posted by sciurus at 5:35 PM on August 4, 2005

Is it true Novak's now on "leave" from CNN?

(and this should have happened ages ago--and he should be in jail with Miler)
posted by amberglow at 5:41 PM on August 4, 2005

ahh--CNN suspended commentator Robert Novak indefinitely after he swore and walked off the set Thursday during a debate with Democratic operative James Carville.
...
A CNN spokeswoman, Edie Emery, called Novak's behavior ``inexcusable and unacceptable.' Novak has apologized to CNN, and CNN apologizes to viewers, she said.

``We've asked Mr. Novak to take some time off,' she said. ...
posted by amberglow at 5:55 PM on August 4, 2005

Actually it didn't make much sense to me. Carville is poking fun that Novak "has gotta look tough" or somesuch thing, which the moderator seemed think was a reference to his upcoming question about Plamegate.

Huh? Strange little interlude. Novak seemed to just take and opportunity to leave. He's feeling more and more trapped, methinks. Fight or flight, and all that.
posted by zardoz at 5:55 PM on August 4, 2005

and katherine harris is going to run for US senate against incumbent bill nelson in florida? that's big news. hadn't heard that.
posted by brandz at 6:02 PM on August 4, 2005

I still don't understand why there aren't people in jail, right now, for outing Plame. I could have sworn it was a treasonable offense. I'm pretty sure if any one of us were to out an agent, we'd be toast.
posted by five fresh fish at 6:04 PM on August 4, 2005

Katherine Harris = Tammy Fay Baker
(oohh Jim, how could you?....)
posted by caddis at 6:08 PM on August 4, 2005

specialk420 - Please capitalize next time.
posted by TwelveTwo at 6:16 PM on August 4, 2005

Oh man, I love this. I'm not a huge fan of Carville's, but woop! that was nicely played. And I should add -- his bald head is fascinating, it has great normal mapping.
posted by undule at 6:18 PM on August 4, 2005

(and this should have happened ages ago--and he should be in jail with Miler)

Yea, I second that motion.
posted by snsranch at 6:25 PM on August 4, 2005

It took until the CNN "blogger" to note that, well, basically a piece of interesting news just happened.

Come on now. Dozens of U.S. Marines dying in Iraq over the past 10 days is news. This was just another clown performing in the cable media circus.
posted by TBoneMcCool at 6:31 PM on August 4, 2005

If you're going to out a CIA operative, for right or for wrong, you'd better be able to answer a few questions on a TV program almost nobody's watching anyway without blowing up and running away.

This isn't donkey vs. elephant, this is weasel.
posted by watsondog at 6:37 PM on August 4, 2005

I'd like to suggest a Colorize-Bob-Novak-in-Photoshop contest...

Let's see... add prison bars? Clown make-up? Clown in prison uniform?
posted by mmahaffie at 6:38 PM on August 4, 2005

I don't watch t.v., so during the course of this whole scandal I thought that this "Novak" person was an actual journalist.

Oh, I was so wrong. He's just a grand-standing ass-wipe!
posted by snsranch at 6:39 PM on August 4, 2005

That's deep analysis. Another "guess" would be that Carville was being his typical ass-self and Novack got fed up with it.

Another "guess" would be Bob Novak is a traitorous douchebag.

Except facts aren't guesses.
posted by wakko at 6:39 PM on August 4, 2005

Carville isn't even intelligible, let alone an ass.
posted by amberglow at 6:44 PM on August 4, 2005

mmhaffie, yeah, he did open the door for that didn't he?

Should be fun to watch.
posted by fenriq at 6:48 PM on August 4, 2005

"When danger reared its ugly head,
he bravely turned his tail and fled,
Brave Sir Robin turned about
and gallantly he chickened out..."
posted by clevershark at 6:48 PM on August 4, 2005

Is Novak even allowed to talk about the Plame outing? You would think that his lawyer would shutting him about this. But then again, I am pretty behind on all of that.
posted by NoMich at 7:05 PM on August 4, 2005

ah! digby: ...I think he might be a little bit prickly because he didn't want it generally known that his most recent column used false information not generated this time by "senior white house officials" but from a discredited cockheaded man-ho. Check out Peter Daou's full report on the Gannon "expose" that Novak used as proof that the Kerry campaign "discarded" Joe Wilson.

It seems to me that it's possible the mean old man just didn't want to face the fact that he is a has-been journalist as well as a Republican hack who's outlived his usefulness. Retirement must be looking pretty good. ...
posted by amberglow at 7:08 PM on August 4, 2005

"We've asked Mr. Novak to take some time off,' she said."

Guess he won't be able to answer any more questions about the whole Plame-thing on CNN, then.

Boy, that's convenient.
posted by Civil_Disobedient at 7:22 PM on August 4, 2005

What are chances the FCC will fine Novak/CNN for obscenity?

Could you point to anything that would suggest that Novack or Carville were reacting in any way to anything that had to do with the Joe Wilson gripe?

dios, did you even watch the video? The anchor guy says he told Novak he would be asking about it and that he didn't get a chance to because of Novak's tantrum.

And "the Joe Wilson gripe" ... c'mon, dude, it's fuckin' treason, people have a right to be upset. If you were any kind of patriot, you would be too.
posted by If I Had An Anus at 7:33 PM on August 4, 2005

What are chances the FCC will fine Novak/CNN for obscenity?

Hah, too funny. Everyone knows that only liberals get busted for this shit. Just ask Lenny Bruce or Howard Stern. [I can not believe I just used those two names together in the same sentence. Howard isn't worthy enough to wipe Lenny's ass, and good thing we aren't on the air here.]
posted by caddis at 7:56 PM on August 4, 2005

My take on this. Novak cursing -- not a big deal, grow-up everyone, especially the FCC. Secondly, what the hell do you expect from Carville? I'm not insulting Carville here. He relishes being a bulldog. Do you expect to finish all of your sentences or not be challenged on things? So the comment about if you can't stand the heat stay out of the kitchen fits also.
posted by dances_with_sneetches at 8:01 PM on August 4, 2005

I got the impression that Novak was told by the segment director/producer to leave the set asap through his earpeice.

I'm going to go post a complaint to the FCC right now! Does anyone know the name of the program and the exact time of the broadcast? Iff enough ppl complain novak is going to have to pay out the wazoo!!
posted by wonway at 8:05 PM on August 4, 2005

Sorry I'm late. What's all this about Novak cutting off his right hand?
posted by soyjoy at 8:08 PM on August 4, 2005

And I should add -- his bald head is fascinating, it has great normal mapping.

Heh.
posted by bshort at 8:09 PM on August 4, 2005

Like another upthread, I had thought all this time that this Novak guy was a serious journalist (I don't watch CNN!)

That was pathetic. He should be ashamed of himself for slinking off like that, and anyone who disagrees (or suggests otherwise) should be also. For fuck's sake, I've put up with harder questioning at the Town Council level ("I guarantee there will be an accident!! Someone's gonna die! Can you tell me there won't be an accident and live with it, Mr. Councilor?!?") and at least had the presence of mind to not blurt out an obscenity and storm offstage. He did NOT want to continue, and was taking the easy way out.
posted by yhbc at 8:24 PM on August 4, 2005

I bet it really was staged. And it worked--we're all talking about it.
posted by amberglow at 8:28 PM on August 4, 2005

Was Novak running from a book?
What was the big reddish-brown book sitting in front of moderator Ed Henry when Robert Novak walked off the set of CNN's Inside Politics? Who's Who in America, of course! ... Mystery Pollster caught it first. ... Perhaps Henry, who says he told Novak he was going to ask about the Plame case, wanted to clear up the Anne Kornblut question: whether Novak really found out Plame's maiden name from the book. (Highly unlikely, sez kf). ... Novak escaped just in time. ...
posted by madamjujujive at 8:54 PM on August 4, 2005

"This is what all the bloggers are going to be posting about..."
Ever feel like you're being played by CNN?
posted by klangklangston at 9:01 PM on August 4, 2005

Laughing at Bob Novak is its own reward at this point.
posted by clevershark at 9:10 PM on August 4, 2005

It would be great if studio rooms just had little walls and doors that locked from the outside, so the actors...er..."journalists" couldn't storm off-camera.

Clearly, this was a case of Novak being told ahead of time "Alright, we're going to ask you about Plame, you know... so be ready with an answer," since this is entertainment, not journalism, and blank stares don't make for good TV. So, they told him ahead of time, and he went on because he's an attention whore.

The whole time, though, he knew he was going to have to slip out of answering the question. Bingo - up pops Carville with a slightly annoying comment - here's his chance! You can just see his brain jump at the opportunity "What the fuck are you still sitting here for? Feign outrage you dolt, FEIGN OUTRAGE, MOVE OUT!"

And so, he did. Childisly brilliant.
posted by odinsdream at 9:30 PM on August 4, 2005

"A lot of my trouble in the world is they've doctored my makeup and colorized me in a lot of newspapers on my picture. I sympathize with her."

What!!? Novak was colorized?!?!? Damn right that's breaking news! It's almost as if he's trying to lay the groundwork right there - hey, everybody, wow, get ready, because I am just as crazy as all fuck-out!...

Has someone already done the requisite photoshop of Novak's face seamlessly blended with that of Katherine Harris? (Her hair, of course)...
posted by soyjoy at 9:54 PM on August 4, 2005

when will the sun times fire the asshole? - and let him drift off into bitter obscurity to await his judgement day for helping push an unecessary war that killed 10 of thousands and maimed untold numbers more...
posted by specialk420 at 9:56 PM on August 4, 2005

In watching that clip it's hilarious that Novak claims to be a victim of nefarious Photoshoppers (ala Katherine Harris) when he states:

Alright, I'll admit I touched up the cheeks a little, for the sake of journalistic integrity.


posted by Rothko at 10:22 PM on August 4, 2005

Brave Sir Robin ran away.
Bravely ran away, away!
When danger reared its ugly head,
He bravely turned his tail and fled.
Yes, brave Sir Robin turned about
And gallantly he chickened out.
Bravely taking to his feet
He beat a very brave retreat,
Bravest of the brave, Sir Robin!

posted by kirkaracha at 10:23 PM on August 4, 2005

And besides, he was just quoting Colin Powell.
posted by kirkaracha at 11:57 PM on August 4, 2005

The last time Novak spoke for true conservatism I...

Uh...

Nope, can't recall. Maybe he can get Bill "Scream Louder if they Outdebate You" O'Reilly's job.

Caporal, an actual small-c conservative.
(who would like to take a metaphorical baseball bat to the Freak Right)
posted by caporal at 12:54 AM on August 5, 2005

Well, has anybody, like, looked... in the Who's Who book to see what it says about Wilson's wife? Or would that be investigative journalism or something? Wouldn't want to make this job too difficult.
posted by Devils Rancher at 5:27 AM on August 5, 2005

“like a garden troll gone insane.” (about a previous incident)
posted by amberglow at 6:49 AM on August 5, 2005

Well, has anybody, like, looked... in the Who's Who book to see what it says about Wilson's wife?

Apparently, she's listed in Who's Who under her maiden name.
posted by kirkaracha at 6:56 AM on August 5, 2005

Aha. Well, that completely explains it then. Drive safely, everybody!
posted by soyjoy at 7:35 AM on August 5, 2005

A calmer Novak told us later: "He said I was trying to please the editorial writers of The Wall Street Journal. I thought that was an unacceptable questioning of my integrity. I overreacted.

"I've gotten into a lot of shouting matches with James when I'm unable to outshout him. I just got a little frustrated."

posted by kirkaracha at 7:48 AM on August 5, 2005

I can't wait until the clips of this on the Daily Show hit the internet. You know John Stewart is going to revel in the fact that his arch nemesis, Novak, has committed, yet again, a serious blunder in the public eye, and will be ridiculed for it, post haste.
posted by daq at 7:58 AM on August 5, 2005

Novak was drunk, watch the video again... that was likker fueled indignation.
posted by hatchetjack at 8:01 AM on August 5, 2005

Since no one else has mentioned it, the FCC will do absolutely nothing about this, since they have no jurisdiction over cable TV.
posted by aaronetc at 8:20 AM on August 5, 2005

Novak was drunk, watch the video again... that was likker fueled indignation.
posted by hatchetjack at 11:01 AM EST

You may be correct hatchetjack. I've often heard him slurring his words on television. Damn drunken treasonous huckster.
posted by nofundy at 8:27 AM on August 5, 2005

Hypocrisy?

Novak Criticized Carville For “Foul Mouth,” Said He Was “Poisoning America” on CNN’s Crossfire (July 11, 2002) during a discussion about whether a woman who cursed at a police officer should have been arrested:

NOVAK: Mr. Walczak, you…probably don’t have much experience with foul mouths. But I can understand what the cops go through, because I have to deal with Begala and Carville. And I’d like you to listen to a little — just a little small selection of what I have to put up with. Would you listen?

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

BEGALA: We’re going to kick a little right-wing ass.

JAMES CARVILLE, CO-HOST, CROSSFIRE: When these sons of bitches just knocked down two of our buildings.

BEGALA: (UNINTELLIGIBLE) fired my ass at MSNBC.

CARVILLE: If there is a completely neutral person, I don’t want to know the son of a bitch.

BEGALA: Bush is going to sign a strong Democratic bill, and that makes you look like a schmuck, doesn’t it?

(END VIDEO CLIP)

NOVAK: Isn’t that the decline of values in language that is… that is poisoning America?

posted by ericb at 8:33 AM on August 5, 2005

If the first rule of good journalism is that the journalist not become the protagonist of a news story, then Mr. Novak has proven himself a poor example of integrity and professionalism.
posted by Skygazer at 10:04 AM on August 5, 2005

What are chances the FCC will fine Novak/CNN for obscenity?

Zero. What does the "C" in CNN stand for, again?
posted by ook at 10:18 AM on August 5, 2005

Carville can be such a prick. Gotta love him (sincerely).
posted by Carbolic at 10:20 AM on August 5, 2005

Has anyone considered that Novakula needed to get home and in his casket before the sunrise? Or was that Photoshopped makeup and blood dripping off his fangs?
posted by nofundy at 10:32 AM on August 5, 2005

Apparently, she's listed in Who's Who under her maiden name.

And I'm sure it also lists her occupation as Super-Double Secret Covert International Spy. Since it was, you know, common knowledge. To everyone except her family and friends that is, who must all be librul shills anyway, right? Right?
posted by Devils Rancher at 11:04 AM on August 5, 2005

nofundy writes "Or was that Photoshopped makeup and blood dripping off his fangs?"

It's more likely that the PS was of him fellating Karl Rove... at least it would make more sense in this context :-)
posted by clevershark at 11:24 AM on August 5, 2005

Upon watching the video, you can see that Carville's WSJ remarks were pretty lighthearted. And it was a double kick to see them continue as usual while Novak left the set. :p
posted by slf at 1:11 PM on August 5, 2005

Josh Marshall got a few comments from Carville, and here's the Who's Who entry.
posted by kirkaracha at 3:28 PM on August 5, 2005

Metafilter: Where the Urethra Meets the Subpoena
posted by jonp72 at 1:10 AM on August 6, 2005

billmon: Death Takes a Holiday Reversing their earlier decision to keep the unburied corpse of Novak on the air, CNN executives have announced that the zombie propagandist's decaying flesh will be "temporarily" entombed in a lead-lined refrigerated crypt at the Hanford Nuclear Energy Reservation in Washington State.
Network executives acted Thursday after Novak's body staggered to its feet in the middle of a joint interview with the mummified remains of James Carville, and vomited a noxious heap of its own decomposed organs directly into the lap of CNN host Ed Henry. The reanimated corpse then lurched off the set, leaving a trail of wriggling maggots and liquified fecal matter behind it.
...
posted by amberglow at 5:01 PM on August 6, 2005

Why Robert Novak Stormed Off the Set (pressthink)--...He solved a problem for himself, and for CNN with his theatre of phony rage. ...
posted by amberglow at 9:03 AM on August 7, 2005

I begin to suspect that Novak is just too old for this shit. Being a public icon of shitmucking is a young man's game.
posted by five fresh fish at 10:37 AM on August 7, 2005

What the fuck did Novak think would be the primary topic, his BM's?

Hilarious.

Good opinion on Plame case from the Toledo Blade. I was going to make a new post around it, but I figured it was much better to post it here where no one would ever see it.
posted by mrgrimm at 10:05 AM on August 19, 2005

i saw it--thanks. Here's a list of the 21 White House officials questioned about the Plame thing. (21!!!)

meanwhile, there's talk Novak was cleaning out his office at CNN.
posted by amberglow at 10:09 AM on August 19, 2005

get this: Federal Whistle Blower Claims Chicago Grand Jury Indicted Bush And Others For Perjury and Obstruction Of Justice; U.S. Attorney's Office Says 'No Comment,' Refusing To Confirm Or Deny Alleged Indictments
posted by amberglow at 8:07 PM on August 19, 2005

I hope I can someday say that I saw it here first amberglow. If it leads to impeachment I promise to split one bottle of French Champagne with you, my treat.
posted by caddis at 8:45 PM on August 19, 2005

Goodness.

I really have my doubts that that is truthful reporting. It's all much, much too good to be true.
posted by five fresh fish at 8:49 PM on August 19, 2005

i know--i don't know if it's true. i only heard about from other blogs mentioning it. Apparently Nixon and his pals were indicted over Watergate but it was kept secret for a long time.
posted by amberglow at 10:01 PM on August 19, 2005

OTOH, it would explain rumours from the WH that George is going nutso. Between the plummeting popularity polls, the hate-on many world leaders have on him, the intractibility of the Iraq mess, and the risks of impeachment, he must be under mind-snapping stress.

Karma is such a bitch when you act like an asshole most of your life.
posted by five fresh fish at 10:07 AM on August 20, 2005

ahh--Globe and Mail may be dropping hints too:
U.S. Attorney Patrick Fitzgerald has prosecuted mobsters, terrorists and even journalists. He has investigated and charged state and city officials in this notoriously crooked state with pit bull tenacity.

And always, he has methodically, inexorably pursued his investigations to target the man at the top of the organizational pyramid. ...That's how he operates: Apply maximum pressure to reluctant witnesses in order to build an air-tight case against the most senior member of a criminal conspiracy.
...
"You get the sense that there are absolutely no sacred cows with him. He aims straight for the top."

posted by amberglow at 9:42 PM on August 20, 2005

Yes, but that's all in reference to the Hollinger case. Might be small-time in the USA, and hence the thinking that this is somehow related to the Preznit's problems, but it's relatively big news up here in Canada.

I hope it results in a breakup of the media conglomerates in Canada. It'd be nice to get our independent news back. Can't be relying entirely on CBC to get the goods.
posted by five fresh fish at 10:22 AM on August 21, 2005