CNN suspends Robert Novak after he swears, walks off set

NEW YORK (AP) _ Robert Novak, whose revelation of a CIA officer's name in a 2003 column has sparked a federal probe, was suspended by CNN after he swore and walked off the set during a live taping

Friday, August 5th 2005, 8:40 am

By: News On 6

NEW YORK (AP) _ Robert Novak, whose revelation of a CIA officer's name in a 2003 column has sparked a federal probe, was suspended by CNN after he swore and walked off the set during a live taping of ``Inside Politics.''

CNN correspondent Ed Henry said afterward that he had been about to ask Novak about his role in the investigation of the leak of Valerie Plame's identity, which the columnist has repeatedly refused to comment on.

The incident occurred Thursday as Novak and Democratic operative James Carville were handicapping the Senate candidacy of former Florida Secretary of State Katherine Harris. Novak said the opposition of the Republican establishment in Florida might not be fatal for her.

``Let me just finish, James, please,'' Novak continued. ``I know you hate to hear me, but you have to.''

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.''

``Well, I think that's bull---- and I hate that,'' Novak replied. ``Just let it go.''

As moderator Henry stepped in to ask Carville a question, Novak walked off the set.

A CNN spokeswoman, Edie Emery, called Novak's behavior ``inexcusable and unacceptable.'' Novak apologized to CNN, and CNN was apologizing to viewers, she said.

``We've asked Mr. Novak to take some time off,'' she said.

A telephone message at Novak's office was not immediately returned Thursday.

Only two weeks ago, CNN executives defended their decision to keep Novak on the air during the investigation into the leak. Novak identified Plame in July 2003 as the wife of Bush administration critic and former U.S. ambassador Joseph Wilson.

Wilson has said the leak of his wife's name was an attempt by the administration to discredit him. Two other reporters connected to the case openly fought the revelation of their sources, and Judith Miller of The New York Times has been jailed for refusing to cooperate with prosecutors.

Henry said Thursday that Novak had been told before the ``Inside Politics'' segment that he was going to be asked on air about the CIA case.

``I'm hoping that we will be able to ask him about that in the future,'' Henry said.

Novak has been a longtime contributor to CNN, taking the conservative point of view during the just-canceled ``Crossfire'' show.