RAW STORY

"The media hive is once again stinging columnist Bob Novak, this time after he uttered an expletive and walked off the set during a live CNN program last Thursday. Since our name was taken in vain during the program, we thought we should correct the record," the Wall Street Journal's editorial page begins in Monday editions. Their editorial follows.

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"The conservative columnist was discussing the Florida Senate race on a show that is supposed to be about political strategy. But his counterpart, Democratic operative James Carville, turned ad hominem and questioned Mr. Novak's motives. "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." Mr. Novak replied, "Well, I think that's bull----, and I hate that. Just let it go." He then walked off the set.

"Mr. Novak has since appropriately apologized for losing his cool, but Mr. Carville is lucky he didn't get punched in the nose. After more than four decades criticizing both Republicans and Democrats, Mr. Novak doesn't need to apologize to anyone for his sincerity. Mr. Carville is the professional political wrestler, but CNN has asked only Mr. Novak to take a vacation.

"We suppose we should thank Mr. Carville for his endorsement of our influence. But far from "watching" Mr. Novak, we've defended him while the rest of the press corps has assailed him for doing his job and breaking the news about Valerie Plame's role in getting her husband Joe Wilson a job as a CIA consultant.

"As long ago as February 2004 ("The Novak Exception"), we warned that the media would regret their demand for a special counsel to discover Mr. Novak's sources, since that same counsel would eventually turn on them. And so the special counsel has, sending Judith Miller of the New York Times to jail for contempt. The members of the liberal press pack owe Mr. Novak an apology, not vice versa.

Originally published on Monday August 8, 2005.