Novak Storms Off Set in a Huff

Posted on August 4, 2005

For those of you who missed CNN anchor Ed Henry's trial by fire today, Media Matters has the video clip of Inside Politics today when syndicated columnist and Valerie Plame blabbermouth Robert Novak yelled "Bullshit!" and stormed off the set during the middle of the show. Media Matters explains:

Contributor and syndicated columnist Robert D. 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. Katherine Harris's (R-FL) plan to run for a Senate seat against Sen. Bill Nelson (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 right-wingers 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 CIA leak case. 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."

Who knew that Ed Henry has icewater running through his veins? Carville was trying not to laugh out loud during the rest of the interview, but Henry didn't even miss a beat, even when Novak audibly hurled his lapel microphone to the ground as he stalked out in a tantrum. Too funny.