Novak, Robt

<h1>(NB there's also ddt wacko at univ ala)</h1>

<h1>=</h1><div>bb writer used to work for</div><div>
</div><div></div><div><h3 class="r" style="font-weight: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; overflow: hidden; text-overflow: ellipsis; white-space: nowrap; color: rgb(34, 34, 34); background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255);"><a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2009/08/19/business/media/19novak.html" ping="/url?sa=t&source=web&rct=j&url=https://www.nytimes.com/2009/08/19/business/media/19novak.html&ved=0ahUKEwiP6rP64PHaAhUn6oMKHZBmCoMQFgg8MAE" style="color: rgb(102, 0, 153); cursor: pointer; text-decoration-line: none;">Robert D. Novak, Washington Political Pundit, Dies at 78 - The New ...</a></h3><div class="s" style="max-width: 48em; color: rgb(84, 84, 84); line-height: 18px; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255);"><div class="f hJND5c TbwUpd" style="color: rgb(128, 128, 128); height: 18px; line-height: 16px; white-space: nowrap;"><cite class="iUh30" style="color: rgb(0, 102, 33); font-style: normal;">https://www.nytimes.com/2009/08/19/business/media/19novak.html</cite></div>Aug 18, 2009 - Mr. Novak was a political columnist and cable television fixture whose scoops reached across five decades.</div></div><div>==</div>

After the Rainforest Action Network launched a campaign to pressure <a href="http://www.sourcewatch.org/index.php?title=Boise_Cascade" title="Boise Cascade">Boise Cascade</a> to end logging old-growth forests it came under attack from the company, <a href="http://www.sourcewatch.org/index.php?title=Ron_Arnold" title="Ron Arnold">Ron Arnold</a> and the <a href="http://www.sourcewatch.org/index.php?title=Frontiers_of_Freedom" title="Frontiers of Freedom">Frontiers of Freedom</a>.

One of the main organizations leading the counter-attack has been <a href="http://www.sourcewatch.org/index.php?title=Frontiers_of_Freedom" title="Frontiers of Freedom">Frontiers of Freedom</a> led by former <a href="http://www.sourcewatch.org/index.php?title=Republican" title="Republican" class="mw-redirect">Republican</a> Senator <a href="http://www.sourcewatch.org/index.php?title=Malcolm_Wallop" title="Malcolm Wallop">Malcolm Wallop</a>. Wallop's organisation has close personnel and organizational ties to the <a href="http://www.sourcewatch.org/index.php?title=Wise_Use_Movement" title="Wise Use Movement">Wise Use Movement</a>.

On the 8th January 2001, Wallop opened the salvo in an article in the Investor's Business Daily: "Employing illegal and legal, violent and non-violent tactics, green revolutionaries - led by the likes of <a href="http://www.sourcewatch.org/index.php?title=Greenpeace" title="Greenpeace">Greenpeace</a>, <a href="http://www.sourcewatch.org/index.php?title=Earth_First&action=edit&redlink=1" class="new" title="Earth First (page does not exist)">Earth First</a> and <a href="http://www.sourcewatch.org/index.php?title=Rainforest_Action_Network" title="Rainforest Action Network">Rainforest Action Network</a>, or RAN - are crusading against every consumer, marketer and developer of natural resource-based products. If you use electricity, live in a home, consume paper products made of wood, drive a car or enjoy seedless watermelons, you are a target. These groups are ideologically anti-business and anti-profits and largely indifferent to the salutary effects of technology and prosperity."

Just under a fortnight later CNN gathered together political pundits to discuss George Bush's inaugural speech. Conservative journalist <a href="http://www.sourcewatch.org/index.php?title=Robert_Novak" title="Robert Novak">Robert Novak</a> from "The Chicago Sun-Times" commented that: "All 18 left wing organizations attacking <a href="http://www.sourcewatch.org/index.php?title=John_Ashcroft" title="John Ashcroft" class="mw-redirect">John Ashcroft</a> as attorney general received federal funds worth $150 million in the last four years. <a href="http://www.sourcewatch.org/index.php?title=Planned_Parenthood" title="Planned Parenthood">Planned Parenthood</a> received $27 million followed by the NAACP and the National Education Association. The same is true of groups attacking <a href="http://www.sourcewatch.org/index.php?title=Gale_Norton" title="Gale Norton" class="mw-redirect">Gale Norton</a> as secretary of the interior, with <a href="http://www.sourcewatch.org/index.php?title=Friends_of_the_Earth" title="Friends of the Earth">Friends of the Earth</a> and the <a href="http://www.sourcewatch.org/index.php?title=Sierra_Club" title="Sierra Club">Sierra Club</a> on the federal dole. <a href="http://www.sourcewatch.org/index.php?title=George_W._Bush" title="George W. Bush" class="mw-redirect">George W. Bush</a> should consider that old conservative slogan, defund the left". (The following year Novak was awarded <a href="http://www.sourcewatch.org/index.php?title=American_Legislative_Exchange_Council" title="American Legislative Exchange Council">American Legislative Exchange Council</a>'s award for Excellence in Journalism.

</div>

<span style="color: rgb(37, 37, 37); font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 22.4px; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; float: none; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); display: inline !important;">On April 25, <span style="color: rgb(37, 37, 37); font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 22.4px; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; float: none; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); display: inline !important;">George McGovern<span style="color: rgb(37, 37, 37); font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 22.4px; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; float: none; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); display: inline !important;"> won the Massachusetts primary. Two days later, journalist <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Robert_Novak" title="Robert Novak" style="text-decoration: none; color: rgb(11, 0, 128); font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 22.4px; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background: none rgb(255, 255, 255);">Robert Novak</a><span style="color: rgb(37, 37, 37); font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 22.4px; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; float: none; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); display: inline !important;"> claimed in a column that a Democratic senator whom he did not name said of McGovern<span style="color: rgb(37, 37, 37); font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 22.4px; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; float: none; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); display: inline !important;">: "The people don't know McGovern is for amnesty, abortion, and legalization of pot. Once middle America – Catholic middle America, in particular – finds this out, he's dead<span style="color: rgb(37, 37, 37); font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 22.4px; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; float: none; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); display: inline !important;">." The label stuck and McGovern became known as the candidate of "amnesty, abortion, and acid." It became Humphrey's battle cry to stop McGovern — especially in the Nebraska primary.<sup id="cite_ref-9" class="reference" style="line-height: 1; unicode-bidi: -webkit-isolate; font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; color: rgb(37, 37, 37); font-variant: normal; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255);"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_States_presidential_election,1972#cite_note-9" style=" text-decoration: none; color: rgb(11, 0, 128); white-space: nowrap; background: none;">[9]</a><sup id="cite_ref-10" class="reference" style="line-height: 1; unicode-bidi: -webkit-isolate; font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; color: rgb(37, 37, 37); font-variant: normal; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255);"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_States_presidential_election,1972#cite_note-10" style=" text-decoration: none; color: rgb(11, 0, 128); white-space: nowrap; background: none;">[10]</a>

==

<a href="http://www.sourcewatch.org/index.php?title=Robert_Novak">http://www.sourcewatch.org/index.php?title=Robert_Novak</a>

Robert D. "Bob" Novak, after 25 years of "serving as a <a href="http://www.sourcewatch.org/index.php?title=CNN" title="CNN" class="mw-redirect">CNN</a> commentator and program host," left the network effective December 31, 2005, and began at <a href="http://www.sourcewatch.org/index.php?title=Fox_News" title="Fox News">Fox News</a> in January 2006. <a href="http://poynter.org/forum/view_post.asp?id=10798" class="external autonumber" title="http://poynter.org/forum/view_post.asp?id=10798" rel="nofollow">[1]</a><a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2005/12/16/arts/television/16cnd-novak.html?hp&ex=1134795600&en=00a3265117430efd&ei=5094&partner=homepage" class="external autonumber" title="http://www.nytimes.com/2005/12/16/arts/television/16cnd-novak.html?hp&ex=1134795600&en=00a3265117430efd&ei=5094&partner=homepage" rel="nofollow">[2]</a><a href="http://www.talkingpointsmemo.com/archives/007269.php" class="external autonumber" title="http://www.talkingpointsmemo.com/archives/007269.php" rel="nofollow">[3]</a>

Novak is the nationally syndicated columnist who provided "political commentary 'from the right,' on <a href="http://www.sourcewatch.org/index.php?title=CNN" title="CNN" class="mw-redirect">CNN</a>'s 'Inside Politics', as he debate[d] <a href="http://www.sourcewatch.org/index.php?title=James_Carville" title="James Carville">James Carville</a> and <a href="http://www.sourcewatch.org/index.php?title=Paul_Begala" title="Paul Begala">Paul Begala</a> 'from the left'." <a href="http://www.cnn.com/CNN/anchors_reporters/novak.robert.html" class="external autonumber" title="http://www.cnn.com/CNN/anchors_reporters/novak.robert.html" rel="nofollow">[4]</a>

He also "offered incisive analysis for much of CNN's programming," including Crossfire, The Capital Gang, Evans and Novak, The Novak Zone, and Novak, Hunt and Shields. <a href="http://www.cnn.com/CNN/anchors_reporters/novak.robert.html" class="external autonumber" title="http://www.cnn.com/CNN/anchors_reporters/novak.robert.html" rel="nofollow">[5]</a>

In July 2007 Novak's memoirs were published: The Prince of Darkness, 50 years reporting in Washington. Publisher: Crown Forum (a division of Random House publishers New York & London).<a href="http://www.sourcewatch.org/index.php?title=Robert_Novak#cite_note-0" title="">[1]</a>

<h2>Novak "on hiatus" (translated he stormed off the set .. then got suspended)</h2>

<a href="http://www.sourcewatch.org/index.php?title=Media_Matters_for_America" title="Media Matters for America">Media Matters for America</a> <a href="http://mediamatters.org/items/200508040004" class="external text" title="http://mediamatters.org/items/200508040004" rel="nofollow">reported</a> that, on August 4, 2005, Novak "stormed off CNN's set after using vulgar language during a live discussion with CNN contributor James Carville on the Strategy Session segment of the August 4 edition of CNN's Inside Politics.

"While discussing Rep. <a href="http://www.sourcewatch.org/index.php?title=Katherine_Harris" title="Katherine Harris">Katherine Harris</a>'s (R-FL) plan to run for a Senate seat against Sen. <a href="http://www.sourcewatch.org/index.php?title=Bill_Nelson" title="Bill Nelson">Bill Nelson</a> (D-FL), Novak told Carville, 'Just let me finish what I'm going to say, James, please. I know you hate to hear me.' Carville said to host Ed Henry, describing Novak: 'He's gotta show these <a href="http://www.sourcewatch.org/index.php?title=Right-wing" title="Right-wing">right-wingers</a> that he's got backbone, you know. The Wall Street Journal editorial page is watching you. Show 'em you're tough.'

"Novak responded: 'Well, I think that's bullshit, and I hate that.' He then said to Henry, 'Just let it go.' As Henry asked Carville a question, Novak walked off the set.

"After the segment ended, Henry apologized to viewers for Novak's leaving the set 'a little early,' adding: 'I had told him in advance that we were going to ask him about the <a href="http://www.sourcewatch.org/index.php?title=Treasongate" title="Treasongate" class="mw-redirect">CIA leak case</a>. He was not here for me to be able to ask him about that. Hopefully, we'll be able to ask him about that in the future.'"

CNN spokeswoman Edie Emery, calling "Novak's behavior 'inexcusable and unacceptable,' told Associated Press Television Writer David Bauder that "'We've asked Mr. Novak to take some time off.'" <a href="http://www.newsday.com/entertainment/tv/wire/sns-ap-tv-cnn-novak,0,502905.story?coll=sns-ap-tv-headlines" class="external autonumber" title="http://www.newsday.com/entertainment/tv/wire/sns-ap-tv-cnn-novak,0,502905.story?coll=sns-ap-tv-headlines" rel="nofollow">[6]</a>

In an August 5, 2005, interview with the Associated Press's David Bauder, Novak apologized for swearing on the air, but said that it had nothing to do with the investigation into the outing of Valerie Plame. <a href="http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20050805/ap_en_tv/tv_cnn_novak_18" class="external autonumber" title="http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20050805/ap_en_tv/tv_cnn_novak_18" rel="nofollow">[7]</a>

<h3>External links</h3>

<ul>

<li>See the numerous weblog links in response to Novak's actions and view QT and WMP video links posted on the <a href="http://www.crooksandliars.com/2005/08/04.html#a4309" class="external text" title="http://www.crooksandliars.com/2005/08/04.html#a4309" rel="nofollow">Crooks and Liars</a> and <a href="http://mediamatters.org/items/200508040004" class="external text" title="http://mediamatters.org/items/200508040004" rel="nofollow">Media Matters for America</a> websites. Also see Jon Stewart's Daily Show <a href="http://www.crooksandliars.com/2005/08/05.html#a4317" class="external text" title="http://www.crooksandliars.com/2005/08/05.html#a4317" rel="nofollow">"take"</a> posted by Crooks and Liars.</li>

<li><a href="http://thinkprogress.org/2005/08/05/novak-foul-mouth/" class="external text" title="http://thinkprogress.org/2005/08/05/novak-foul-mouth/" rel="nofollow">"Novak Criticized Carville For 'Foul Mouth,' Said He Was 'Poisoning America',"</a> Think Progress, August 5, 2005: "CNN’s Crossfire, 7/11/02, during a discussion about whether a woman who cursed at a police officer should have been arrested."</li>

<li><a href="http://atrios.blogspot.com/2005_07_31_atrios_archive.html#112325918140319875" class="external text" title="http://atrios.blogspot.com/2005_07_31_atrios_archive.html#112325918140319875" rel="nofollow">"Meltdown,"</a> Atrios, August 5, 2005.</li>

<li>Tim Grieve, <a href="http://www.salon.com/politics/war_room/index.html?blog=/politics/war_room/2005/08/05/novak3/index.html" class="external text" title="http://www.salon.com/politics/war_room/index.html?blog=/politics/war_room/2005/08/05/novak3/index.html" rel="nofollow">"What Made Bob Blow?"</a> Salon, August 5, 2005 (preview or subscription required).</li>

<li>Ed Naha, <a href="http://www.smirkingchimp.com/article.php?sid=22227&mode=nested&order=0" class="external text" title="http://www.smirkingchimp.com/article.php?sid=22227&mode=nested&order=0" rel="nofollow">"Novak bullshits under pressure,"</a> The Smirking Chimp, August 5, 2005.</li>

<li>David Bauder, <a href="http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20050805/ap_en_tv/tv_cnn_novak_18" class="external text" title="http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20050805/ap_en_tv/tv_cnn_novak_18" rel="nofollow">"Novak Apologizes for Swearing on CNN Air,"</a> Associated Press (Yahoo! News), August 5, 2005.</li>

</ul>

<h2>Ties to the American Legislative Exchange Council</h2>

Novak spoke at the 2002 ALEC States and National Policy Summit in Washington, DC on December 14, 2002.

<h2 style="margin: 3px; background: rgb(41, 102, 184); font-weight: bold; border: 1px solid rgb(64, 127, 212); text-align: left; color: rgb(255, 255, 255); padding: 0.2em 0.4em;">About ALEC</h2>

</th></tr><tr><td style=" color: #000000;">

<div style="padding: 2px 5px;"><a href="http://www.sourcewatch.org/index.php?title=ALEC" title="ALEC" class="mw-redirect">ALEC</a> is a corporate bill mill. It is not just a lobby or a front group; it is much more powerful than that. Through ALEC, corporations hand state legislators their wishlists to benefit their bottom line. Corporations fund almost all of ALEC's operations. They pay for a seat on ALEC task forces where corporate lobbyists and special interest reps vote with elected officials to approve “model” bills. Learn more at the Center for Media and Democracy's <a href="http://alecexposed.org/" class="external text" title="http://alecexposed.org/" rel="nofollow">ALECexposed.org</a>, and check out breaking news on our <a href="http://www.PRWatch.org" class="external text" title="http://www.PRWatch.org" rel="nofollow">PRWatch.org site</a>.</div>

</td></tr></tbody></table>

<h2>Controversies</h2>

<h3><a href="http://www.sourcewatch.org/index.php?title=Karl_Rove:_Outing_Valerie_Plame" title="Karl Rove: Outing Valerie Plame">Outing Valerie Plame</a></h3>

Robert Novak revealed in his July 14, 2003, Townhall.com column<a href="http://www.townhall.com/columnists/robertnovak/rn20030714.shtml" class="external text" title="http://www.townhall.com/columnists/robertnovak/rn20030714.shtml" rel="nofollow">"Mission to Niger"</a> that <a href="http://www.sourcewatch.org/index.php?title=Valerie_Plame" title="Valerie Plame">Valerie Plame</a> was "an Agency operative on <a href="http://www.sourcewatch.org/index.php?title=Weapons_of_mass_destruction" title="Weapons of mass destruction">weapons of mass destruction</a>," that is an undercover <a href="http://www.sourcewatch.org/index.php?title=CIA" title="CIA" class="mw-redirect">CIA</a> operative, thereby destroying her career. Novak refused to reveal who gave him the information, potentially a crime, even though he revealed a source in July 2001:

<dl>

<dd>Three and half-years ago, I reported that a veteran <a href="http://www.sourcewatch.org/index.php?title=FBI" title="FBI" class="mw-redirect">FBI</a> agent resigned and retired after refusing a demand by Attorney General <a href="http://www.sourcewatch.org/index.php?title=Janet_Reno" title="Janet Reno">Janet Reno</a> to give the Justice Department the names of top secret sources in <a href="http://www.sourcewatch.org/index.php?title=China" title="China">China</a>. My primary source was FBI agent <a href="http://www.sourcewatch.org/index.php?title=Robert_Hanssen&action=edit&redlink=1" class="new" title="Robert Hanssen (page does not exist)">Robert Hanssen</a>.</dd>

</dl>

<dl>

<dd>Disclosing confidential sources is unthinkable for a reporter seeking to probe behind the scenes in official Washington, but the circumstances here are obviously extraordinary.<a href="http://www.townhall.com/columnists/robertnovak/printrn20010712.shtml" class="external autonumber" title="http://www.townhall.com/columnists/robertnovak/printrn20010712.shtml" rel="nofollow">[8]</a></dd>

</dl>

In a July 21, 2003, follow-up to Novak's article, Timothy M. Phelps and Knut Royce <a href="http://foi.missouri.edu/voicesdissent/columnistnames.html" class="external text" title="http://foi.missouri.edu/voicesdissent/columnistnames.html" rel="nofollow">wrote in New York Newsday</a>:

<dl>

<dd>"The identity of an undercover CIA officer whose husband started the Iraq uranium intelligence controversy has been publicly revealed by a conservative Washington columnist citing 'two senior administration officials.'"</dd>

</dl>

Phelps and Royce also interviewed Novak about his source(s) and he responded:

<dl>

<dd>"'I didn't dig it out, it was given to me. They thought it was significant, they gave me the name and I used it.'"</dd>

</dl>

Novak's source may not be relevant to the issue of Novak's guilt. If it is a felony to expose an undercover operative, then one could reasonably inquire "Why isn't Novak in jail for this?", since nobody disputes that he surely did so. It's right there in print.

In the first chapter of his memoirs Novak explains the whys and wherefors of this, and reveals his sources.

<h3>Novak and Rove, 1992</h3>

"<a href="http://www.sourcewatch.org/index.php?title=Karl_Rove" title="Karl Rove">Karl Rove</a> was fired from the 1992 re-election campaign of <a href="http://www.sourcewatch.org/index.php?title=George_H.W._Bush" title="George H.W. Bush" class="mw-redirect">Bush Sr.</a> for allegedly leaking a negative story about Bush loyalist/fundraiser <a href="http://www.sourcewatch.org/index.php?title=Robert_Mosbacher" title="Robert Mosbacher" class="mw-redirect">Robert Mosbacher</a> to Novak. Novak's piece described a meeting organized by then-Senator <a href="http://www.sourcewatch.org/index.php?title=Phil_Gramm" title="Phil Gramm">Phil Gramm</a> at which Mosbacher was relieved of his duties as state campaign manager because 'the president's re-election effort in Texas has been a bust.' Rove was fired after Mosbacher fingered him as Novak's source." <a href="http://www.bustbob.com/view.asp?ID=5" class="external autonumber" title="http://www.bustbob.com/view.asp?ID=5" rel="nofollow">[9]</a>

<h3>Richard A. Clarke</h3>

Novak suggested that <a href="http://www.sourcewatch.org/index.php?title=Richard_A._Clarke" title="Richard A. Clarke">Richard A. Clarke</a>'s disagreement with the <a href="http://www.sourcewatch.org/index.php?title=Bush_administration" title="Bush administration">Bush administration</a> was racially motivated:

<dl>

<dd>NOVAK: Congressman, do you believe, you're a sophisticated guy, do you believe watching these hearings that Dick Clarke has a problem with this African-American woman <a href="http://www.sourcewatch.org/index.php?title=Condoleezza_Rice" title="Condoleezza Rice">Condoleezza Rice</a>?</dd>

<dd>REP. RAHM EMANUEL (D), ILLINOIS: Say that again?</dd>

<dd>NOVAK: Do you believe that Dick Clarke has a problem with this African-American woman Condoleezza Rice?</dd>

<dd>EMANUEL: No, no. Bob, give me a break. No. No.<a href="http://www.cnn.com/TRANSCRIPTS/0403/25/cf.00.html" class="external autonumber" title="http://www.cnn.com/TRANSCRIPTS/0403/25/cf.00.html" rel="nofollow">[10]</a></dd>

</dl>

<h3>Swift Boat Veterans for Truth</h3>

In August 2004, Novak enthused about the book Unfit for Command by the <a href="http://www.sourcewatch.org/index.php?title=Swift_Boat_Veterans_for_Truth" title="Swift Boat Veterans for Truth">Swift Boat Veterans for Truth</a>, which was published by <a href="http://www.sourcewatch.org/index.php?title=Regnery_Publishing" title="Regnery Publishing">Regnery Publishing</a>. Novak touted the book without revealing that his son, Alex Novak, is head of marketing for the publisher, Regnery Publishing. Novak dismissed concern about the failure to disclose the link, telling the New York Times "I don't think it's relevant". <a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2004/08/30/business/media/30novak.html" class="external autonumber" title="http://www.nytimes.com/2004/08/30/business/media/30novak.html" rel="nofollow">[11]</a>

<h3>And More Leaks</h3>

<a href="http://www.sourcewatch.org/index.php?title=Richard_Perle" title="Richard Perle" class="mw-redirect">Richard Perle</a> reportedly used <a href="http://www.sourcewatch.org/index.php?title=Rowland_Evans&action=edit&redlink=1" class="new" title="Rowland Evans (page does not exist)">Rowland Evans</a> and Novak to leak classified information in the 1970's – and is now a member of the board of <a href="http://www.sourcewatch.org/index.php?title=Hollinger_International_Inc." title="Hollinger International Inc.">Hollinger International Inc.</a>, which owns the Chicago Sun-Times, the home newspaper of Novak's syndicated column.

Dana Milbank reported in the Washington Post that Richard Perle was the chief suspect in another Novak-assisted leak of classified information in December 1975: "Novak, with his late partner Rowland Evans, got the classified leak -- that President <a href="http://www.sourcewatch.org/index.php?title=Gerald_R.Ford" title="Gerald R. Ford">Gerald R. Ford</a> and Secretary of State <a href="http://www.sourcewatch.org/index.php?title=Henry_Kissinger" title="Henry Kissinger">Henry Kissinger</a> were ready to make concessions to the Soviet Union to save the <a href="http://www.sourcewatch.org/index.php?title=SALT_II&action=edit&redlink=1" class="new" title="SALT II (page does not exist)">SALT II</a> treaty. <a href="http://www.sourcewatch.org/index.php?title=Donald_H.Rumsfeld" title="Donald H. Rumsfeld">Donald H. Rumsfeld</a>, then, as now, the secretary of defense, intervened to block Kissinger." Perle at the time was "an influential aide to Sen. <a href="http://www.sourcewatch.org/index.php?title=Henry_Scoop_Jackson" title="Henry Scoop Jackson" class="mw-redirect">Henry Scoop Jackson</a> (D-Wash.) ... The account was described in a 1977 article in The Washington Post, noting Perle's 'special access' to Evans and Novak." <a href="http://www.truthout.org/docs_03/100903E.shtml" class="external autonumber" title="http://www.truthout.org/docs_03/100903E.shtml" rel="nofollow">[12]</a>

Evans and Novak were "chief recipients" of classifed leaks: "Evans and Novak, the National Journal wrote in 1979, were among the three 'chief recipients' of classified leaks from Perle." The 1977 Post article stated: "Several sources in Congress and the executive branch who regard Perle as an opponent said that he and his allies make masterful use of the Evans and Novak column. One congressional aide who tries to counter Perle's and Jackson's influence on arms issues said the Evans and Novak 'connection' helps Perle create a 'murky, threatening atmosphere' in his dealings with others." <a href="http://www.truthout.org/docs_03/100903E.shtml" class="external autonumber" title="http://www.truthout.org/docs_03/100903E.shtml" rel="nofollow">[13]</a>

Perle and Kissinger still tied to Novak via Hollinger: Richard Perle – who was suspected of leaking classified information to Novak and Evans in the 1970's -- and Henry Kissinger – whose intentions were leaked about in the 1975 incident -- are both <a href="http://www.SourceWatch.org/wiki.phtml?title=Hollinger_International_Inc." class="external text" title="http://www.SourceWatch.org/wiki.phtml?title=Hollinger_International_Inc." rel="nofollow">members of the board</a> of Hollinger, which currently owns Novak's "home" newspaper, the Chicago Sun-Times. Perle has been on the board since 1994, and Kissinger has been on the board since 1996.

<h2>Profiles</h2>

<h3>Current Media</h3>

Novak has a syndicated newspaper column with <a href="http://www.sourcewatch.org/index.php?title=Creators_Syndicate&action=edit&redlink=1" class="new" title="Creators Syndicate (page does not exist)">Creators Syndicate</a> that goes to 300 newspapers. He has also been an interviewer on NBC's 'Meet the Press.'

Novak created and has served as co-executive producer of <a href="http://www.sourcewatch.org/index.php?title=CNN" title="CNN" class="mw-redirect">CNN</a>'s long-running Saturday night panel show '<a href="http://www.sourcewatch.org/index.php?title=Capital_Gang&action=edit&redlink=1" class="new" title="Capital Gang (page does not exist)">Capital Gang</a>'. The program aired for the last time on Saturday, July 2, 2005. "Beginning July 9, its spot on CNN's Saturday schedule will be taken by a revised version of the Sunday morning show 'On the Story,' which features women CNN correspondents talking about the news of the week. ... The Post said 'On the Story' will add men to the mix, with <a href="http://www.sourcewatch.org/index.php?title=Christiane_Amanpour" title="Christiane Amanpour">Christiane Amanpour</a> joining the lineup to broaden the international scope of its coverage." <a href="http://www.sciencedaily.com/upi/?feed=Entertainment&article=UPI-1-20050624-19002600-bc-us-capitalgang.xml" class="external autonumber" title="http://www.sciencedaily.com/upi/?feed=Entertainment&article=UPI-1-20050624-19002600-bc-us-capitalgang.xml" rel="nofollow">[14]</a>

CNN's "<a href="http://www.sourcewatch.org/index.php?title=Crossfire&action=edit&redlink=1" class="new" title="Crossfire (page does not exist)">Crossfire</a>" program upon which Novak has appeared as a guest host, has also been cancelled. "CNN recently said it would replace the weekday political shows 'Inside Politics' and 'Crossfire' with 'The Situation Room,' anchored by <a href="http://www.sourcewatch.org/index.php?title=Wolf_Blitzer" title="Wolf Blitzer">Wolf Blitzer</a>." <a href="http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A52274-2005Jan6.html" class="external autonumber" title="http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A52274-2005Jan6.html" rel="nofollow">[15]</a><a href="http://www.sciencedaily.com/upi/?feed=Entertainment&article=UPI-1-20050624-19002600-bc-us-capitalgang.xml" class="external autonumber" title="http://www.sciencedaily.com/upi/?feed=Entertainment&article=UPI-1-20050624-19002600-bc-us-capitalgang.xml" rel="nofollow">[16]</a>

According to the July 17, 2005, print edition of TV Guide (page 16), "Only the Gang's most fervid member, Robert Novak, will stay with the network (as host of the scary-sounding Novak Zone)."

<h3>Biographical</h3>

Most commonly referred to as Robert as well as Bob, Novak was born February 26, 1931, in Joliet, Illinois.

According to his biographical note, he first worked as a reporter for the Joliet (Ill.) Herald-News and the Champaign-Urbana (Ill.) Courier, where he worked while attending the University of Illinois (1948-1952). Following service in the U.S. Army during the Korean War, he worked for Associated Press until 1958 to join the Wall Street Journal as their D.C. based Senate correspondent and political reporter. In 1961 he became their chief congressional correspondent.

In May 1963 he and the late Rowland Evans colloborated on their first "Inside Report" column. After Evans retired in 1993 Novak has continued to write the column three times a week.

Novak has also co-authored the following books with Evans: <a href="http://www.sourcewatch.org/index.php?title=Lyndon_B._Johnson" title="Lyndon B. Johnson">Lyndon B. Johnson</a>: The Exercise of Power, a political biography of President Johnson; Nixon in the White House: The Frustration of Power, a comprehensive study of the first two and one half years of the <a href="http://www.sourcewatch.org/index.php?title=Nixon_administration" title="Nixon administration">Nixon administration</a>; and The <a href="http://www.sourcewatch.org/index.php?title=Reagan_Revolution&action=edit&redlink=1" class="new" title="Reagan Revolution (page does not exist)">Reagan Revolution</a>, an analysis of <a href="http://www.sourcewatch.org/index.php?title=Ronald_Reagan" title="Ronald Reagan">Ronald Reagan</a>'s blueprint to transform the U.S. government.

<h2>Articles and resources</h2>

<h3>Related SourceWatch articles</h3>

<ul>

<li><a href="http://www.sourcewatch.org/index.php?title=Karl_Rove:_Outing_Valerie_Plame" title="Karl Rove: Outing Valerie Plame">Karl Rove: Outing Valerie Plame</a></li>

<li><a href="http://www.sourcewatch.org/index.php?title=Treasongate:_Beyond_Karl_Rove" title="Treasongate: Beyond Karl Rove">Treasongate: Beyond Karl Rove</a></li>

<li><a href="http://www.sourcewatch.org/index.php?title=Valerie_Plame" title="Valerie Plame">Valerie Plame</a></li>

</ul>

<h3>Sources</h3>

<li id="cite_note-0"><a href="http://www.sourcewatch.org/index.php?title=Robert_Novak#cite_ref-0" title="">↑</a> Amazon page for <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Prince-Darkness-Years-Reporting-Washington/dp/1400051991/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1/103-5668821-0886245?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1185650399&sr=8-1" class="external text" title="http://www.amazon.com/Prince-Darkness-Years-Reporting-Washington/dp/1400051991/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1/103-5668821-0886245?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1185650399&sr=8-1" rel="nofollow">The Prince of Darkness</a>, <a href="http://www.sourcewatch.org/index.php?title=Crown_Forum" title="Crown Forum">Crown Forum</a>, a division of <a href="http://www.sourcewatch.org/index.php?title=Random_House" title="Random House">Random House</a>, 2007.</li>

</ol>

<h3>Websites</h3>

<ul>

<li><a href="http://www.bustbob.com/view.asp?ID=5" class="external text" title="http://www.bustbob.com/view.asp?ID=5" rel="nofollow">Bust Bob Novak</a>/BustBob.com website.</li>

</ul>

<h3>Profiles</h3>

<ul>

<li><a href="http://www.cnn.com/CNN/anchors_reporters/novak.robert.html" class="external text" title="http://www.cnn.com/CNN/anchors_reporters/novak.robert.html" rel="nofollow">Robert Novak</a>, CNN profile.</li>

<li><a href="http://www.townhall.com/columnists/BIOS/cbnovak.html" class="external text" title="http://www.townhall.com/columnists/BIOS/cbnovak.html" rel="nofollow">Robert D. Novak</a> biography, townhall.com website.</li>

<li><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Robert_Novak" class="external text" title="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Robert_Novak" rel="nofollow">"Robert Novak"</a> in the <a href="http://www.sourcewatch.org/index.php?title=Wikipedia" title="Wikipedia">Wikipedia</a>.</li>

</ul>

<h3>External articles</h3>

<h4>By Robert Novak</h4>

<ul>

<li><a href="http://www.townhall.com/columnists/robertnovak/printrn20010712.shtml" class="external text" title="http://www.townhall.com/columnists/robertnovak/printrn20010712.shtml" rel="nofollow">"The Hanssen Mystery,"</a> Townhall.com, July 12, 2001.</li>

<li><a href="http://www.townhall.com/columnists/robertnovak/printrn20030210.shtml" class="external text" title="http://www.townhall.com/columnists/robertnovak/printrn20030210.shtml" rel="nofollow">"The American imperium,"</a>, Townhall.com, February 10, 2003. re <a href="http://www.sourcewatch.org/index.php?title=Preemptive_war" title="Preemptive war">preemptive war</a>.</li>

<li><a href="http://www.townhall.com/columnists/robertnovak/rn20030714.shtml" class="external text" title="http://www.townhall.com/columnists/robertnovak/rn20030714.shtml" rel="nofollow">"Mission to Niger,"</a> townhall.com, July 14, 2003.</li>

<li><a href="http://www.townhall.com/columnists/robertnovak/rn20030809.shtml" class="external text" title="http://www.townhall.com/columnists/robertnovak/rn20030809.shtml" rel="nofollow">"Discovering WMD,"</a> Townhall.com, August 9, 2003. re <a href="http://www.sourcewatch.org/index.php?title=Weapons_of_mass_destruction" title="Weapons of mass destruction">weapons of mass destruction</a>.</li>

<li><a href="http://www.townhall.com/columnists/robertnovak/rn20031001.shtml" class="external text" title="http://www.townhall.com/columnists/robertnovak/rn20031001.shtml" rel="nofollow">"The CIA leak,"</a> Townhall.com, October 1, 2003.</li>

<li><a href="http://www.townhall.com/columnists/robertnovak/rn20040909.shtml" class="external text" title="http://www.townhall.com/columnists/robertnovak/rn20040909.shtml" rel="nofollow">"Hate in America,"</a> Townhall.com, September 9, 2004. re <a href="http://www.sourcewatch.org/index.php?title=Blogging" title="Blogging">blogging</a>.</li>

<li><a href="http://www.suntimes.com/output/novak/cst-edt-novak201.html" class="external text" title="http://www.suntimes.com/output/novak/cst-edt-novak201.html" rel="nofollow">"Republicans fear midterm losses,"</a> Chicago Sun-Times, March 20, 2005. re <a href="http://www.sourcewatch.org/index.php?title=Nuclear_option" title="Nuclear option">nuclear option</a>.</li>

<li><a href="http://www.townhall.com/columnists/robertnovak/rn20050205.shtml" class="external text" title="http://www.townhall.com/columnists/robertnovak/rn20050205.shtml" rel="nofollow">"GOP judicial strategy,"</a> Townhall.com, February 5, 2005. re <a href="http://www.sourcewatch.org/index.php?title=Bush%27s_judicial_nominees" title="Bush's judicial nominees">Bush's judicial nominees</a>.</li>

</ul>

<ul>

<li>Timothy M. Phelps and Knut Royce, <a href="http://foi.missouri.edu/voicesdissent/columnistnames.html" class="external text" title="http://foi.missouri.edu/voicesdissent/columnistnames.html" rel="nofollow">"Columnist Names CIA Iraq Operative,"</a> New York Newsday, July 21, 2003.</li>

<li>Mike Allen and <a href="http://www.sourcewatch.org/index.php?title=Dana_Priest" title="Dana Priest">Dana Priest</a>, <a href="http://www.washingtonpost.com/ac2/wp-dyn?pagename=article&contentId=A11208-2003Sep27&notFound=true" class="external text" title="http://www.washingtonpost.com/ac2/wp-dyn?pagename=article&contentId=A11208-2003Sep27&notFound=true" rel="nofollow">"Bush Administration Is Focus of Inquiry. CIA Agent's Identity Was Leaked to Media,"</a> Washington Post, September 28, 2003.</li>

<li><a href="http://www.outsidethebeltway.com/archives/3439" class="external text" title="http://www.outsidethebeltway.com/archives/3439" rel="nofollow">"Novak-Gate?"</a> Outside the Beltway, September 28, 2003.</li>

<li>Jack Shafer, <a href="http://slate.msn.com/id/2089017" class="external text" title="http://slate.msn.com/id/2089017" rel="nofollow">"The Plame Game. Will the leak of a CIA agent's name be the next big political scandal?"</a> Slate, September 29, 2003.</li>

<li><a href="http://www.outsidethebeltway.com/archives/3451" class="external text" title="http://www.outsidethebeltway.com/archives/3451" rel="nofollow">"Novakgate V: End of Story?"</a> Outside the Beltway, September 29, 2003.</li>

<li>Howard Kurtz, <a href="http://www.washingtonpost.com/ac2/wp-dyn?pagename=article&contentId=A25363-2003Sep30&notFound=true" class="external text" title="http://www.washingtonpost.com/ac2/wp-dyn?pagename=article&contentId=A25363-2003Sep30&notFound=true" rel="nofollow">"A Hot-Water Leak. Columnist Novak 'Surprised' by CIA Furor,"</a> Washington Post, October 1, 2003.</li>

<li>George Paine, <a href="http://www.warblogging.com/archives/000740.php" class="external text" title="http://www.warblogging.com/archives/000740.php" rel="nofollow">"Rove and Novak,"</a> Warblogging, October 1, 2003.</li>

<li>Joe Strupp, <a href="http://editorandpublisher.com/eandp/news/article_display.jsp?vnu_content_id=1993425" class="external text" title="http://editorandpublisher.com/eandp/news/article_display.jsp?vnu_content_id=1993425" rel="nofollow">"Bernstein: Novak Allowed Himself to Be Used,"</a> Editor & Publisher, October 3, 2003.</li>

<li>Cheryl Seal, <a href="http://www.apfn.org/LEAK-GATE/lies.htm" class="external text" title="http://www.apfn.org/LEAK-GATE/lies.htm" rel="nofollow">"The Bush Old Guard Shows Its True Colors: The Treasonous Lies of Bob Novak and Karl Rove (er - the 'Unnamed Official'),"</a> apfn.org, October 5, 2003.</li>

<li>James Joyner, <a href="http://www.outsidethebeltway.com/archives/3475" class="external text" title="http://www.outsidethebeltway.com/archives/3475" rel="nofollow">"Novakgate VII,"</a> Outside the Beltway, October 6, 2003.</li>

<li>Dana Milbank, "<a href="http://www.truthout.org/docs_03/100903E.shtml" class="external text" title="http://www.truthout.org/docs_03/100903E.shtml" rel="nofollow">Novak Leak Column Has Familiar Sound</a>", Washington Post, October 7, 2003.</li>

<li>James Joyner, <a href="http://www.outsidethebeltway.com/archives/3507" class="external text" title="http://www.outsidethebeltway.com/archives/3507" rel="nofollow">"Novakgate VIII: More on Plame,"</a> Outside the Beltway, October 8, 2003.</li>

<li>Joshua Micah Marshall, <a href="http://www.talkingpointsmemo.com/archives/week_2003_10_05.php#002066" class="external text" title="http://www.talkingpointsmemo.com/archives/week_2003_10_05.php#002066" rel="nofollow">"Let’s go back and do a little more Bob Novak exegesis"</a> and an <a href="http://www.talkingpointsmemo.com/archives/week_2003_10_05.php#002062" class="external text" title="http://www.talkingpointsmemo.com/archives/week_2003_10_05.php#002062" rel="nofollow">earlier post</a>, Talking Points Memo, October 9, 2003.</li>

<li><a href="http://www.politicalstrategy.org/" class="external text" title="http://www.politicalstrategy.org/" rel="nofollow">Novak Revealed A Source in July of 2001</a>, PoliticalStrategy.org, October 10, 2003: According to Novak, "Disclosing confidential sources is unthinkable for a reporter seeking to probe behind the scenes in official Washington, but the circumstances here are obviously extraordinary" - Circumstances Don't Get Much More 'Extraordinary' than those surrounding 'Plame-Gate', Bob!</li>

</ul>

<ul>

<li>Jacques Steinberg, <a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2004/08/30/business/media/30novak.html" class="external text" title="http://www.nytimes.com/2004/08/30/business/media/30novak.html" rel="nofollow">"Columnist Has Ties to Anti-Kerry Book,"</a> New York Times, August 30, 2004.</li>

</ul>

<ul>

<li><a href="http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/04/16/AR2006041601027.html" class="external text" title="http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/04/16/AR2006041601027.html" rel="nofollow">Howard Kurtz,</a> <a href="http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A52274-2005Jan6.html" class="external text" title="http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A52274-2005Jan6.html" rel="nofollow">"Carlson & 'Crossfire,' Exit Stage Left & Right. At CNN, a Defection and a Deletion,"</a> Washington Post, January 6, 2005.</li>

<li><a href="http://www.pulitzer.org/bycat/National+Reporting" class="external text" title="http://www.pulitzer.org/bycat/National+Reporting" rel="nofollow">Murray Waas</a>, <a href="http://www.prospect.org/web/page.ww?section=root&name=ViewWeb&articleId=9473" class="external text" title="http://www.prospect.org/web/page.ww?section=root&name=ViewWeb&articleId=9473" rel="nofollow">"Exclusive: Plame Game Over? The special prosecutor says his investigation was 'for all practical purposes complete' six months ago,"</a> The American Prospect, April 6, 2005.</li>

<li><a href="http://www.sciencedaily.com/upi/?feed=Entertainment&article=UPI-1-20050624-19002600-bc-us-capitalgang.xml" class="external text" title="http://www.sciencedaily.com/upi/?feed=Entertainment&article=UPI-1-20050624-19002600-bc-us-capitalgang.xml" rel="nofollow">"CNN cancels 'Capital Gang',"</a> UPI, June 25, 2005; posted on Science Daily website.</li>

<li>David Corn, <a href="http://www.tompaine.com/articles/20050707/novak_squealed.php" class="external text" title="http://www.tompaine.com/articles/20050707/novak_squealed.php" rel="nofollow">"Novak Squealed,"</a> Tom Paine.Common Sense, July 7, 2005.</li>

<li><a href="http://www.bustbob.com/view.asp?ID=5" class="external text" title="http://www.bustbob.com/view.asp?ID=5" rel="nofollow">"Karl Rove And Novak - They've Talked Before,"</a> BustBob.com, July 7, 2005.</li>

<li>James Joyner, <a href="http://www.outsidethebeltway.com/archives/11268" class="external text" title="http://www.outsidethebeltway.com/archives/11268" rel="nofollow">"Newsweek: Rove Gave Cooper OK to Testify in Plame Case,"</a> Outside the Beltway, July 11, 2005.</li>

<li><a href="http://journalism.nyu.edu/pubzone/weblogs/pressthink/2006/04/09/waas_now.html" class="external text" title="http://journalism.nyu.edu/pubzone/weblogs/pressthink/2006/04/09/waas_now.html" rel="nofollow">Murray Waas</a>, <a href="http://whateveralready.blogspot.com/2005/07/exclusive-novak-co-operated-with.html" class="external text" title="http://whateveralready.blogspot.com/2005/07/exclusive-novak-co-operated-with.html" rel="nofollow">"Exclusive: Novak co-operated with prosecutors,"</a> Whatever Already! blogspot, July 12, 2005: "Columnist Robert Novak provided detailed accounts to federal prosecutors of his conversations with Bush administration officials who were sources for his controversial July 11, 2003 column identifying Valerie Plame as a clandestine CIA officer, according to attorneys familiar with the matter."</li>

<li><a href="http://mydd.com/2006/4/10/jay-rosen-quotmurray-waas-is-our-bob-woodwardquot" class="external text" title="http://mydd.com/2006/4/10/jay-rosen-quotmurray-waas-is-our-bob-woodwardquot" rel="nofollow">Murray Waas,</a> <a href="http://whateveralready.blogspot.com/2005/10/rove-before-grand-jury-in-morning.html" class="external text" title="http://whateveralready.blogspot.com/2005/10/rove-before-grand-jury-in-morning.html" rel="nofollow">"Rove Before Grand Jury in the Morning,"</a> Whatever Already!, Oct. 6, 2005.</li>

<li><a href="http://www.sourcewatch.org/index.php?title=Murray_Waas" title="Murray Waas">Murray Waas</a>, <a href="http://www.nationaljournal.com/about/njweekly/stories/2005/1007nj3.htm" class="external text" title="http://www.nationaljournal.com/about/njweekly/stories/2005/1007nj3.htm" rel="nofollow">"Rove Assured Bush He was Not Leaker"</a> National Journal, Oct. 7, 2005.</li>

<li>Dubya, <a href="http://www.dailykos.com/story/2005/11/11/134138/26" class="external text" title="http://www.dailykos.com/story/2005/11/11/134138/26" rel="nofollow">"Rove Remains In Serious Jeopardy, Could Be for Some Time,"</a> Daily Kos, Nov. 11, 2005.</li>

<li>Jeralyn Merritt, <a href="http://www.talkleft.com/story/2005/07/12/653/01298" class="external text" title="http://www.talkleft.com/story/2005/07/12/653/01298" rel="nofollow">"Novak Co-operated."</a>, Talkleft,July 12, 2005.</li>

<li>Rob Christensen, Barbara Barrett, Jane Stancill and Dan Kane, <a href="http://www.newsobserver.com/659/story/377675.html" class="external text" title="http://www.newsobserver.com/659/story/377675.html" rel="nofollow">"Bush can settle CIA leak riddle, Novak says,"</a> Raleigh News-Observer, December 14, 2005.</li>

<li>ReddHedd, <a href="http://firedoglake.blogspot.com/2005_12_01_firedoglake_archive.html#113457836611969583" class="external text" title="http://firedoglake.blogspot.com/2005_12_01_firedoglake_archive.html#113457836611969583" rel="nofollow">"Revelations,"</a> firedoglake, December 14, 2005.</li>

<li>Swopa, <a href="http://www.needlenose.com/node/view/2420" class="external text" title="http://www.needlenose.com/node/view/2420" rel="nofollow">"Return to the planet of the accidental leaker,"</a> Needlenose, December 14, 2005.</li>

<li>Jane Hamsher, <a href="http://firedoglake.blogspot.com/2005_12_01_firedoglake_archive.html#113462877057790693" class="external text" title="http://firedoglake.blogspot.com/2005_12_01_firedoglake_archive.html#113462877057790693" rel="nofollow">"Dawn of the Dead,"</a> firedoglake, December 14, 2005.</li>

<li>Digby, <a href="http://digbysblog.blogspot.com/2005_12_11_digbysblog_archive.html#113459447462249472" class="external text" title="http://digbysblog.blogspot.com/2005_12_11_digbysblog_archive.html#113459447462249472" rel="nofollow">"Losing His Woody,"</a> Hullabaloo, December 14, 2005.</li>

<li>Carol D. Leonnig, <a href="http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2005/12/14/AR2005121402121.html" class="external text" title="http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2005/12/14/AR2005121402121.html" rel="nofollow">"Columnist Says Bush Knows Who Leaked Name,"</a> Washington Post, December 15, 2005.</li>

<li><a href="http://www.pulitzer.org/bycat/National+Reporting" class="external text" title="http://www.pulitzer.org/bycat/National+Reporting" rel="nofollow">Murray Waas</a>, <a href="http://nationaljournal.com/about/njweekly/stories/2005/1216nj2.htm" class="external text" title="http://nationaljournal.com/about/njweekly/stories/2005/1216nj2.htm" rel="nofollow">"Why Novak Called Rove,"</a> National Journal, December 16, 2005.</li>

<li>Robert Novak, <a href="http://www.crooksandliars.com/2005/12/23.html#a6456" class="external text" title="http://www.crooksandliars.com/2005/12/23.html#a6456" rel="nofollow">"There never were WMD's"</a> and <a href="http://www.crooksandliars.com/2005/12/23.html#a6455" class="external text" title="http://www.crooksandliars.com/2005/12/23.html#a6455" rel="nofollow">"What are you guilty of?"</a> Crooks and Liars, December 23, 2005. Novak with Wolf Blitzer on CNN's "Situation Room." WMP and QT links.</li>

</ul>

<ul>

<li>Matt Apuzzo and John Solomon, <a href="http://www.abcnews.go.com/Politics/wireStory?id=2340099" class="external text" title="http://www.abcnews.go.com/Politics/wireStory?id=2340099" rel="nofollow">"Calendars Show Armitage Met Reporter,"</a> Associated Press (ABC News), August 21, 2006.</li>

<li>Matt Apuzzo, <a href="http://www.abcnews.go.com/Politics/wireStory?id=2344046" class="external text" title="http://www.abcnews.go.com/Politics/wireStory?id=2344046" rel="nofollow">"Plame Considering Suing Armitage,"</a> Associated Press (ABC News), August 22, 2006.</li>

<li>Michael Isikoff, <a href="http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/14533384/site/newsweek/" class="external text" title="http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/14533384/site/newsweek/" rel="nofollow">"The Man Who Said Too Much. A book coauthored by NEWSWEEK's Michael Isikoff details Richard Armitage's central role in the Valerie Plame leak,"</a> Newsweek (MSNBC), August 27, 2006 (September 4, 2006, issue).</li>

<li>David Corn, <a href="http://www.thenation.com/blogs/capitalgames?pid=116511" class="external text" title="http://www.thenation.com/blogs/capitalgames?pid=116511" rel="nofollow">"The Meaning of the Armitage Leak in the Plame Case,"</a> Capital Games Blog/The Nation, also posted in <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/david-corn/the-meaning-of-the-armita_b_28097.html" class="external text" title="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/david-corn/the-meaning-of-the-armita_b_28097.html" rel="nofollow">The Huffington Post</a>, August 27, 2006; <a href="http://www.alternet.org/story/40929/" class="external text" title="http://www.alternet.org/story/40929/" rel="nofollow">AlterNet</a>, August 28, 2006.</li>

<li>Jason Smith, <a href="http://newsbusters.org/node/7211" class="external text" title="http://newsbusters.org/node/7211" rel="nofollow">"What Did Fitzgerald Know and When Did He Know It?"</a> <a href="http://www.sourcewatch.org/index.php?title=NewsBusters" title="NewsBusters">NewsBusters</a>, August 27, 2006.</li>

<li>Richard Luscombe, <a href="http://www.guardian.co.uk/international/story/0,,1859622,00.html" class="external text" title="http://www.guardian.co.uk/international/story/0,,1859622,00.html" rel="nofollow">"Powell's deputy 'leaked name of CIA agent',"</a> Guardian Unlimited (UK), August 28, 2006.</li>

<li>Robert Novak, <a href="http://www.suntimes.com/output/news/cst-edt-novak14.html" class="external text" title="http://www.suntimes.com/output/news/cst-edt-novak14.html" rel="nofollow">"Real story behind Armitage's role,"</a> Chicago Sun-Times, September 13, 2006.</li>

<li>David Corn, <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/david-corn/novak-vs-armitage-was-t_b_29400.html" class="external text" title="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/david-corn/novak-vs-armitage-was-t_b_29400.html" rel="nofollow">"Novak vs. Armitage: Was the Plame Leak Deliberate?"</a> The Huffington Post, September 13, 2006.</li>

<li>Robert Novak, <a href="http://www.unionleader.com/article.aspx?headline=Robert+Novak%3A+Armitage%27s+tardy+self-disclosure+is+tainted+and+deceptive&articleId=8ac4c24e-5f8e-4769-96ac-a37fe1854cd1" class="external text" title="http://www.unionleader.com/article.aspx?headline=Robert+Novak%3A+Armitage's+tardy+self-disclosure+is+tainted+and+deceptive&articleId=8ac4c24e-5f8e-4769-96ac-a37fe1854cd1" rel="nofollow">"Armitage's tardy self-disclosure is tainted and deceptive,"</a> Union-Leader (Manchester, NH), September 14, 2006; <a href="http://www.nationalledger.com/artman/publish/article_27268376.shtml" class="external text" title="http://www.nationalledger.com/artman/publish/article_27268376.shtml" rel="nofollow">"Armitage's Leak,"</a> The National Ledger.</li>

<li>R. Jeffrey Smith, <a href="http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/09/13/AR2006091302066.html" class="external text" title="http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/09/13/AR2006091302066.html" rel="nofollow">"Novak Accuses Plame Source Of Distortion. Armitage Minimizes Role In Leak; Columnist Differs,"</a> Washington Post, September 14, 2006.</li>

<li>Eddie-george, <a href="http://houseoflabor.tpmcafe.com/blog/eddie_george/2006/sep/14/robert_novak_digging_one_heckuva_hole" class="external text" title="http://houseoflabor.tpmcafe.com/blog/eddie_george/2006/sep/14/robert_novak_digging_one_heckuva_hole" rel="nofollow">"Robert Novak digging one heckuva hole,"</a> TPM Cafe, September 14, 2006.</li>

</ul>

<ul>

<li>Also see <a href="http://www.sourcewatch.org/index.php?title=Trial_of_Scooter_Libby" title="Trial of Scooter Libby">trial of Scooter Libby</a> for articles beginning in January 2007.</li>

<li>Matt Apuzzo, <a href="http://www.time.com/time/nation/article/0,8599,1588245,00.html" class="external text" title="http://www.time.com/time/nation/article/0,8599,1588245,00.html" rel="nofollow">"Novak Set to Testify in Libby Case,"</a> Associated Press (TIME), February 12, 2007.</li>

<li>Jeralyn Merritt, <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/jeralyn-merritt/libby-bob-novak-takes-th_b_41028.html" class="external text" title="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/jeralyn-merritt/libby-bob-novak-takes-th_b_41028.html" rel="nofollow">"Libby: Bob Novak Takes the Stand,"</a> The Huffington Post, February 12, 2007.</li>

<li><a href="http://www.americanprogress.org/issues/2009/05/ta052109.html" class="external text" title="http://www.americanprogress.org/issues/2009/05/ta052109.html" rel="nofollow">emptywheel</a> <a href="http://www.firedoglake.com/2007/02/12/libby-live-novak-one/" class="external text" title="http://www.firedoglake.com/2007/02/12/libby-live-novak-one/" rel="nofollow">"Libby Live: Novak One"</a> and <a href="http://www.firedoglake.com/2007/02/12/libby-live-novak-two/" class="external text" title="http://www.firedoglake.com/2007/02/12/libby-live-novak-two/" rel="nofollow">"Libby Live: Novak Two,"</a> Firedoglake, February 12, 2007.</li>

<li>Andy Sullivan, <a href="http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/02/12/AR2007021201053.html" class="external text" title="http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/02/12/AR2007021201053.html" rel="nofollow">"Columnist who reported CIA leak testifies in trial,"</a> Washington Post, February 12, 2007.</li>

<li><a href="http://www.americanprogress.org/issues/2009/05/ta052109.html" class="external text" title="http://www.americanprogress.org/issues/2009/05/ta052109.html" rel="nofollow">Marcy Wheeler,</a> <a href="http://thenexthurrah.typepad.com/the_next_hurrah/2007/07/novaks-july-7-m.html" class="external text" title="http://thenexthurrah.typepad.com/the_next_hurrah/2007/07/novaks-july-7-m.html" rel="nofollow">"Novak's July 7 Meeting,"</a> The Next Hurrah Blog, July 9, 2007.</li>

</ul>

<div id="mw-normal-catlinks"><a href="http://www.sourcewatch.org/index.php?title=Special:Categories" title="Special:Categories">Categories</a>: <a href="http://www.sourcewatch.org/index.php?title=Category:ALEC_Exposed" title="Category:ALEC Exposed">ALEC Exposed</a> | <a href="http://www.sourcewatch.org/index.php?title=Category:Water" title="Category:Water">Water</a> | <a href="http://www.sourcewatch.org/index.php?title=Category:Energy" title="Category:Energy">Energy</a> | <a href="http://www.sourcewatch.org/index.php?title=Category:Scandals" title="Category:Scandals">Scandals</a> | <a href="http://www.sourcewatch.org/index.php?title=Category:Treasongate" title="Category:Treasongate">Treasongate</a></div>

</div>

<h1>The operative</h1>

<div id="deck">White House water-carrier Robert Novak, infamous for exposing Valerie Plame, has been flacking for the Swift Boat Veterans book -- not bothering to disclose his close personal ties with the publisher.</div>

By Mary Jacoby

</div>

Conservative commentator Robert Novak, who has energetically promoted the bestselling book <a href="http://dir.salon.com/news/feature/2004/08/19/swiftbook">"Unfit for Command: Swift Boat Veterans Speak Out Against John Kerry,"</a> published an unusual addendum to his syndicated column on Sept. 6. It read: "In response to queries: My son, Alex Novak, is director of marketing for Regnery Publishing Inc., publisher of 'Unfit for Command.' He is 36 and has been employed at Regnery for six years, since receiving his MBA from the University of Maryland. He has had no connection with my reporting about 'Unfit for Command,' a bestselling book dealing with Kerry's war record whose news value is obvious. I plan to continue to pursue this story as developments warrant."

But Novak's son's employment at Regnery, revealed by the New York Times on Aug. 30, isn't Novak's only tie to the Washington publisher of conservative polemics. Novak also has a long-standing professional and personal relationship that he did not reveal -- with Regnery's owner, newsletter magnate Tom Phillips. Phillips owns Eagle Publishing, whose subsidiaries include Regnery; Human Events, a 60-year-old conservative newsweekly; and the Evans-Novak Political Report, Novak's subscription-based newsletter ($297 a year). In addition, Novak is an unpaid member of the board of Phillips' private foundation, the Phillips Foundation, which awards journalism fellowships to young conservatives.

At Morton's Steakhouse in downtown Washington on Sept. 21, Robert and Alex Novak joined Phillips and several dozen other cogs in the right-wing propaganda machine to celebrate the success of "Unfit for Command," which boasts 850,000 copies in print and sits at No. 2 on the New York Times bestseller list. ("Unfit" was knocked from the top spot recently by Kitty Kelley's exposé <a href="http://dir.salon.com/books/int/2004/09/14/kelley/">"The Family: The Real Story of the Bush Dynasty."</a>)

Most of the guests at the party -- including the two generations of Novaks -- have been promoters of the negative narrative of Kerry's military past that culminated in a ringing cash register for Regnery.

The guests of honor were the authors of "Unfit," former Nixon operative John O'Neill and Jerome Corsi, who are driving forces behind the discredited Swift Boat Veterans for Truth. The group, with millions of dollars from Republican Party donors closely linked to Bush political advisor Karl Rove, ran a barrage of television ads attacking Kerry's war record in August and September -- which many analysts believe has helped tilt the race recently in Bush's favor.

On television and in his columns, Novak has trumpeted the "Unfit" authors' unfounded claims that Kerry lied about the heroism that earned him the Bronze and Silver stars. Novak's work has been amplified by other guests at the party, such as talk radio host Laura Ingraham and Greg Mueller of Creative Response Concepts, the conservative P.R. outfit that promoted the book and SBVT.

Other prominent conservatives at the party included lawyers Victoria Toensing and Joseph DiGenova, a husband-and-wife team of cable TV commentators; GOP direct-mail wizard Richard Viguerie; African-American radio host Armstrong Williams; and Chris DeCivita of DCI, a Washington lobbying firm that helps advise the Swift Boat group.

Then there was a crew from the Phillips publishing empire, including Regnery Publishing president Alfred Regnery, Phillips Foundation secretary John Farley and Eagle Publishing president Jeffrey Carneal.

Since the Swift Boat ads began running in August, Novak has been one of the chief peddlers of the group's line that Kerry served dishonorably in Vietnam and lied about the events that led the Navy to award his medals. He has persisted despite the fact that none of the Swift Boat accusers actually served with Kerry on his boat, while Kerry's actual crew mates are adamant that he did act heroically. Novak has ignored an investigation by the Washington Post that found that the Swift Boat accusers' own military records contradict their assertions that Kerry did not save a crew mate's life under fire and instead support Kerry's version of events. And he has even dismissed the Navy's announcement that Kerry's awards were proper.

"Nothing has been disproved that the Swift Boat Veterans say!" Novak exclaimed Sept. 18 on CNN's "Capital Gang." In an Aug. 28 column, Novak trumpeted the "first on-the-record interview" with a retired rear admiral, William Schachte Jr., who said he was present when Kerry received the wound for which he was awarded his first Purple Heart and that, in his opinion, the Democratic nominee had merely "nicked himself."

And on CNN's "Crossfire" on Aug. 27, Novak threw up his hands and declared, "I'm just a humble journalist," when Democratic commentator and consultant Paul Begala backed him into a rhetorical corner over the controversy. Begala, Novak said on the show, is a "very, very able political practitioner" -- as if Novak weren't.

Indeed, Novak explained to New York Times reporter Jacques Steinberg for an Aug. 30 article that he didn't disclose his son's employment at Regnery, while essentially flacking the "Unfit for Command" book, because "I don't think it's relevant." Novak added: "I'm just functioning as a columnist with a point of view."

Phillips Foundation secretary Farley said in an interview that Novak and Phillips are old friends, and that "Bob was the trustee [of the Phillips Foundation] who came up with the idea of giving journalism scholarships." Farley said Novak is unpaid and does not receive expense reimbursements from the foundation. "It's sort of a labor of love for him."

The foundation's net worth in 2001, the latest year for which public tax returns are available, was $9.4 million. According to Farley, most of the foundation's wealth comes from stock it owns in Phillips Publishing International, the newsletter company Phillips founded. In 1999, the Thomas L. Phillips Revocable Trust made a $5.5 million gift to the foundation, records show. Phillips did not respond to a request for comment placed with Farley.

The Phillips Foundation has received money from other conservative foundations. In 2001, the Lynde and Harry Bradley Foundation donated $50,000, the Charles G. Koch Foundation gave $25,000, and the Lebensfeld Foundation gave $25,000, records show.

Novak, the "humble journalist," has been in high dudgeon over what he perceives as others' conflicts of interest. Exposing a "conflict of interest," after all, was the rationale Novak gave for his decision to blow the cover of covert Central Intelligence Agency operative Valerie Plame in a column last year after her husband, former Ambassador Joseph Wilson, at the behest of the CIA debunked claims that Iraq had signed an agreement with the African country of Niger to <a href="http://dir.salon.com/news/feature/2004/09/29/cbs_wmd/index.html">purchase uranium</a> for nuclear weapons. That column, citing "two senior administration officials" as sources, led to the appointment of a special prosecutor to investigate possible felonies that carries a 10-year prison term.

In a brief interview with Salon by telephone Thursday, Novak declined to comment on whether his service on the Phillips Foundation board and his personal and professional relationship with the owner of Regnery should have been disclosed in the columns he wrote promoting the Swift Boat Veterans group. "You want me to draw conclusions," he said, "and you can draw your own conclusions."

</div>

-- By Mary Jacoby

<a href="http://dir.salon.com/story/news/feature/2004/10/01/novak/print.html">http://dir.salon.com/story/news/feature/2004/10/01/novak/print.html</a>

</div>

\

<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Robert_Novak">http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Robert_Novak</a>

hit and run?

<a href="http://www.swamppolitics.com/news/politics/blog/2008/07/robert_novaks_hitrun_victim_ta.html">http://www.swamppolitics.com/news/politics/blog/2008/07/robert_novaks_hitrun_victim_ta.html</a>

Novak, Robt

Attachments