Bob Novak: That's Bullsh*t

Bob Novak walks off a CNN set.

HENRY: Katherine Harris.....doctoring her makeup.....Bob Novak, have you been investigating this make-up story?

(Double meanings here -- makeup, make it up. Maybe a veiled dig by Henry at Novak's investigating claims made up by Joe Wilson.)

NOVAK: No, but I've had the same experience that she did. A lot of my trouble in the world is that they've doctored my make-up and colorized me in a lot of newspapers on my picture. So, I sympathize with her.

(Double meaning -- Novak referring to unfavorable portrayals of him in the media regarding Plame leak.)

HENRY: This is breaking news. I've haven't heard this.

CARVILLE: Breaking news. Who did it? What paper?

NOVAK: Well, I don't. I can't tell you.

(Novak, as advised by attorneys, won't speak publicly about Plame case -- "I can't tell you".)

NOVAK: So, wait. Just let me finish what I'm going to say, James. Please, I know you hate to hear me, but you have...

Carville, addressing the camera, said: "He's got to show these right wingers that he's got a backbone, you know. It's why the Wall Street Journal editorial page is watching you. Show 'em that you're tough."

NOVAK: Well, I think that's bullshit. And I hate that. Just let it go.

Then, Novak walked off the set and into a CNN suspension.

Ed Henry said afterward that he had told Novak in advance that he was going to ask Novak about the Plame case.

Novak knew exactly that Carville's comments about "backbone" and hanging "tough" were references to Plame.

Novak has since apologized for his behavior and said the incident had nothing to do with the Plame case. Yeah, right.

At least Novak knows bullsh*t when he hears it. He shouldn't have said it on the air, though. Of course, Carville didn't exhibit much professionalism either.

-- LynZee

Update: Chicago Sun Times -- "A CNN source said a producer had placed a copy of Who's Who on the set Thursday prior to the taping, apparently so it could be consulted while Novak was asked about the issue."

Joe Wilson's Who's Who entry lists his wife as Valerie Plame.

Novak's column of July 14, 2003 names Joe Wilson's wife as Valerie Plame.

There is a Who's Who copy on the table during the Novak kerfuffle.

Hat Tips: Wizbang, Just One Minute