So the news is that Robert Novak's "taking some time off" from CNN and the "Inside Politics" show. Novak's the columnist, pundit and Valerie Plame outer. What makes this a great story is that Novak's suspension comes after he said "That's bullshit" and walked off the set in a huff. Novak was reacting most immediately to James Carville, who interrupted him while he was talking about the electoral prospects of vote non-counter Katherine Harris -- something that probably should have elicited even stronger language.
But is it just possible that Novak had something else on his mind? Mickey Kaus in Slate has some interesting speculation about the whole matter. You see, before the segment began, CNN's Ed Henry told Novak that he would be asking him about the Plame case.
You can sort that out how you want, but that's not why I'm writing. If Novak's big sin is stating his opinion that something's "bullshit" and walking off the set, I say "go for it." It's not the most exciting show in the world and this definitely picked up the pace. How many of us, in a given day, have said "that's bullshit" or heard it from someone else? I find it kind of refreshing. Where is it written that pundits don't have the same rights as the rest of us? And, let's face it, it's not like the kids are watching this show. They're more likely downloading porn off the internet.
In fact, the use of colorful language was one reason why I used to love Dennis Miller's HBO show. It was a chance to hear about politics and news with all the four-letter words. Talk about a breath of fresh air!
You have to go back almost four decades for the Big Daddy of televised cat fights. During the 1968 Democratic National Convention, William Buckley (wearing red trunks) and Gore Vidal (wearing liberal blue) really got colorful. After Vidal called Buckley a "pro-crypto-Nazi," Buckley fired back with one of the best politcal rejoinders in history: "Now listen, you queer, stop calling me a crypto-Nazi or I'll sock you in you goddamn face and you'll stay plastered." Now that's compelling stuff -- honestly passionate invective on both sides that makes Novak's outburst seem just petulant. This was broadcast TV, too. Ah, nostalgia...
Anyway, I'm sure Bob Novak will enjoy his suspension, being untethered from the Plame case for a little while longer. Probably CNN should have suspended him for not being more forthcoming in the matter. But getting offended at this inappropriate language in such an important setting?
Man, that's bullshit!
