Dole Institute welcomes columnist
Author to discuss 50 years’ experience in political journalism
Robert Novak wrote the column identifying CIA operative Valerie Plame in July 2003. He’ll talk about the controversy and his new book tonight at 7:30.
Wednesday, October 31st, 2007
Robert Novak, well-known conservative political journalist, writes the longest running syndicated column for the Chicago Sun Times. He has appeared as a contributor for CNN and Fox News. He was recently in the news for writing the column that outed CIA operative Valerie Plame. Novak visited the Dole Institute and held a book signing for his new book, “The Prince of Darkness: 50 Years Reporting in Washington.” Novak visited with The Kansan earlier Tuesday.
Q: How do you see the political climate in Washington today?
A: Well, everything points to the democrats. Everything’s in their favor, and they will have to work very hard to lose the 2008 election, but I think they can do it if they try.
Q: Who do you see as the strongest democrat?
A: Well, I don’t think Senator Clinton is the strongest candidate. She’s a huge favorite for the nomination, I think she’s the most dangerous candidate. Democrats don’t necessarily nominate their strongest candidate, they nominate a candidate they like the most.
Photo by Jessica Crabaugh
Robert D. Novak, author and syndicated columnist, speaks at the Dole Institute about his recently released book of memoirs. Novak was a commentator for CNN for 25 years and is now working as a commentator for Fox News, occassionally appearing on NBC's "Meet the Press."
Q: Do you have a favorite candidate for the republicans?
A: Not really, I think I’m fondest of Ron Paul. He’s not going to be president, he’s not going to be nominated, but I enjoy him and I guess he’s the only person I agree with on foreign policy. All the candidates have defects, major defects, but we’ve elected a lot of presidents with major defects over the years.
Q: Where did you get the nickname the “Prince of Darkness”?
A: I was covering the senate in 1959 for the Wall Street Journal. I was 28 years old. I was with one of my colleagues for the Washington Post, John Lindsay, a very good friend of mine and we’d have these long conversations about the senate. I thought the senate was composed of frauds and windbags, then and now. I used talk to John about that, and I had a dim view of the future of the country and western civilization, and really just detested professional politicians. So he said, ‘Novak, you sound like the Prince of Darkness.’”
Q: Did you know that would be the appropriate title for your book?
A: Yes, It was my idea and the publishers thought it was a great idea. It’s been a much better seller than those books usually are. They tell me that at one Washington bookstore they had the book next to a Harry Potter book, so a lot of people thought that the Prince of Darkness was Harry Potter grown up. Might have helped the sales that way.
Q: Do you have any advice I can take back to my classmates in the journalism school?
A: Yes, first thing, this will sound really ridiculous. Read the newspaper. I dealt with entry-level people, interns and production assistants and they never read the paper. They said they could get what they needed to know from the television. No, they can’t. You have got to read the papers. Secondly, I think you have to have a good grounding in political history. A lot of young journalists have no idea who anybody is. The other thing is you have to have a sense of curiosity, and really have to know, “why do they do this?’”
Q: How do you think history will judge George W. Bush over the next 20 years?
A: Well, usually politicians after they’re dead have a much better judgment from history. Gerald Ford was a really mediocre president and got a terrific review since he died. Ronald Reagan, who I thought was a great president, became an icon after he died. Harry Truman, he’s now an icon.
Q: Are you going to keep writing?
A: I have to because I don’t think I could handle it if I don’t keep writing. I can’t imagine what I’d do. I don’t play golf. I don’t fish; I don’t hunt. I can’t drink much anymore. I stopped gambling. What am I going to do? I don’t think retirement is very good for your health.
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