WASHINGTON — Political columnist Robert Novak, a diehard conservative, pugilistic debater and proud owner of the "Prince of Darkness" moniker, has died after a battle with brain cancer.
His wife of 47 years, Geraldine Novak, told The Associated Press that he died at his home in Washington, D.C. early Tuesday. He was 78.
A household face as co-host of CNN's "Crossfire," Novak had been a columnist for the Chicago Sun-Times for decades. He was diagnosed with a brain tumor in July 2008, less than a week after he struck a pedestrian in downtown Washington with his Corvette and drove away.
"He was a Washington institution who could turn an idea into the most discussed story around kitchen tables, congressional offices, the White House, and everywhere in between," Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell of Kentucky said in a statement.
Said House Republican Leader John Boehner of Ohio: "Bob made remarkable contributions in the field of journalism and to the American political landscape."
In recent years, Novak ended up actually being a part of a big Washington story, in ways he likely never intended, becoming a central figure in the Valerie Plame CIA leak case.
Novak was the first to publish the name of CIA employee, and he came under withering criticism and abuse from many for that column, which Novak said began "a long and difficult episode" in his career.
"I had a terrific time fulfilling all my youthful dreams and at the same time making life miserable for hypocritical, posturing politicians and, I hope, performing a service for my country," Novak wrote in his memoir, "The Prince of Darkness: 50 Years reporting in Washington."
Could honestly care less either way.
2 comments:
Having lived through my Father with a brain tumor I can not even bring myself to make light of that but like you I am of no great sadness of his passing. He was a poor excuse for a human at best.
Death is never cause for celebration, but in this case neither can I bring myself to mourn. Another inflammatory RW voice on the scene would not have been helpful in the current climate. Having owned up to that, I feel for his family and hope they can find peace and closure.
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