Tuesday, August 18, 2009

Robert Novak (1931-2009)

I had first learned of this when a "breaking news" headline appeared online this morning, but it wasn't until a few moments ago that I was apprised of the details of Robert Novak's passing at 78. Novak, a long-time fixture on CNN, appearing on Crossfire and The Capitol Gang, among others, in addition to a weekly TV version of the newspaper column he authored with Rowland Evans, Jr., succumbed to cancer earlier today.

Novak came under fire a few years back for revealing Valerie Plame as a CIA operative, but he is far better remembered for his lengthy run co-hosting Crossfire, first with Tom Braden, then with a succession of co-hosts. Novak might've been a cranky conservative, but his sharp barbs got a few laughs whenever I watched Crossfire at a friend's house in the 80's. Who knew these political columnists and pundits could actually be funny? I digress, of course. Novak left CNN in 2005, returning only to promote his autobiography 2 years ago. He will be missed.

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