Posted on 04/18/2007 4:54:12 PM PDT by Behind Liberal Lines
Robert Novak, nationally syndicated columnist, television news commentator and the self-acknowledged “Prince of Darkness” of the Washington press, spoke at Schwartz Auditorium (Cornell University) last night.
In his opening remarks, Novak, who served in the Korean War and worked for 50 years in Washington, D.C., revealed the origin of his sinister moniker. “I believe in limited government, low taxes and individual economic freedom. And in Washington that makes you The Prince of Darkness. It may well make you The Prince of Darkness at Cornell,” said Novak.
In his speech, Novak offered an analysis of the 2006 Congressional power shift, a diagnosis of the struggling Republican Party and an evaluation of the upcoming presidential election.
Novak attributed the 2006 Democratic sweep in the House and Senate to failures of the Republican Party and resulting disillusionment of its members. In his analysis, Novak cited the unpopularity of the Iraq war, President Bush’s expansion of government, increases in entitlement program costs and failure to reform the tax system.
Regarding Iraq, Novak pointed out that historically, even successful wars have provoked the ire of American voters. “After two Democratic presidents won World War II, the first election was 1946. There was a Republican landslide,” he said.
Novak claimed that although he supports a global economy and free trade, it is not the job of the United States to spread democracy: “We can’t have the whole world our way. Let’s worry about security in the United States,” he said.
Novak also blamed a lack of strong party leadership for the Republican decline. “There’s not a leader in the Republican Party to enunciate the issues. I once said that George W. Bush has got the smallest vocabulary of any president I knew. It doesn’t make me popular at the White House, but the truth is that he isn’t the most articulate man, and the presidency is a leadership role where you must articulate yourself,” said Novak.
Novak went on to discuss the chief difficulties of the two Democratic frontrunners.
“Senator [Hillary] Clinton [(D-N.Y.)] is smart. She thinks she would be a much better president than her husband. She thinks she’s smarter, better read, and she’s a lot more disciplined. I know both Clintons, and I’ll tell you something: Bill Clinton is one of the most likeable people I’ve ever met. Hillary is not likeable.”
According to Novak, what Sen. Barack Obama (D-Ill.) lacks in experience, he makes up for in popularity. “He’s only been in the Senate a couple of years, nobody knows him. And people love him,” said Novak.
But, Novak said, Obama’s race may affect his political career: “Senator Obama is an African American. Does that mean he can or cannot be elected president? We don’t know. Don’t pay attention to the polls. You call up someone and say, ‘Would you vote for an African-American for president?’ guy says, ‘No I wouldn’t, I’m prejudiced.’ Nobody says that.”
Novak identified the lack of a dominant candidate as the primary challenge for Republicans. “This is the first election since 1952 where the President or Vice President of the United States is not running for either President or Vice President. All new people,” Novak said.
Novak’s speech evoked a number of student reactions.
“He had a sense of humor and let us know very directly how he found leaders of both parties. I found I really liked him because he is comfortable with what he believes in and is willing to give us an informed opinion flavored with his point of view. Like Helen Thomas, he likes being a journalist because he likes to cause trouble, however he is no Republican nut job,” said Ryan Gomez ’09
“I’m interested in both journalism and politics and so obviously, he’s a pretty huge figure. I thought it was real interesting. I don’t know a lot about him personally, and so it was good to hear what he thought about various issues — especially from such an insider in D.C. It was good to hear about both races,” said Tristen Cramer ’09.
I don't think the muslim street would appreciate the US electing an apostate muslim president. I thought dems were concerned with what the rest of the world thought of us.
Well, hey, Bob Novak, at least Bush doesn’t run his mouth and cause a big bruhaha over the exposure of a CIA employee like you did which cost Scooter Libby his job and did much damage to the GOP in the ‘06 midterm elections.
So, why don’t you just shut your fat lips.
You’re wrong. Richard Armitage was the leaker, not Novak.
I like what Novak has to say. Very accurate.
I always figured the way he got this name has a lot to do with his looks. Richard Perle has also been called the Prince of Darkness. Novak and Perle have similar dark areas around their eyes. This gives both of them a slightly sinister appearance.
small vocabulary?
Fortunately, Bush has learned the word, “No”.
Unfortunately, it took him 6 years to learn it.
Remember, Jesse Helms would appear for his rare interviews only on Evans-Novak, whom he thought were eminently fair.
“I don’t think Novak is counting all the Spanish that Bush knows.”
Anybody who speaks Spanish knows Bush does not know or speak Spanish.
Those who don’t speak Spanish, think because he throws a couple of seriously mispronounced words trying to imitate Spanish, he is speaking Spanish.
Gads!
Bush does not need to speak with large vocabulary. He has a heart that is bigger and more tender than any foolish reporter....
So maybe he should get some new speech writers?
You may still agree with Bush’s policies, but if you can’t even admit that Bush is an inarticulate boob, I think there’s a problem.
I cringe when I watch the man give even the most routine speech. By some miracle, he gave a good post-9/11, but he is especially bad off the cuff.
“”Yes, Novak is Jewish... and he hates the state of Israel...
I’ve heard this phenomena among some Jews... “self-loathing Jew” or “if it weren’t for Zionism and existence of Israel...“Palestinians oppressed by Israel”...””
No, Novak does not hate Israel. He has been critical of some of its policies and he thinks that Israel and Jewish interests play too big a part in US policy making.
It certainly plays a big part in yours and many others here.
No kidding (sarcasm)
Who broke the story?
Inarticulate boob? The man may indeed struggle with the English language in public (though I’ve read that in private he is articulate and quite witty), so I’ll grant the “inarticulate” part. But “boob”? Someone who succeeded in getting elected President of the United States twice, possesses degrees from two prestigious U.S. universities, jet pilot, loving husband and father, etc. This is your definition of a boob? Clarification, please. And while you’re at it, perhaps you could tell us of some of your accomplishments.
He said there was no crime, and it was incidental. What else could he have done?
It was a bogus story that Bush could refute on his own
Apparently not.
but it turned into a freak show because inquiring minds want to know?
I suppose
Because this crap isn’t over yet and it looks like someone else who was doing their job may go to jail it seems the perception is Joe Wilson is still a neutral authoritative source.
I don't think so, what else has Wilson been able to comment on in the NY times?
Other than that he has made several comments since then that aren’t in the best interest of the administration.
Well, that is the crux of it. You think that anyone who claims to be a conservative should act as though they work for the administaration. I don't. Only someone who works for the administration should be expected to never say anything negative about it.
Judith Miller went to jail.
How is that Novaks fault?
Why wasn’t Novak ever threatened with this?
He was. I am stunned you have such a strong opinion about an issue you know so litlle.
Did he and Armitage come clean to the prosecution at the forefront?
Yes, that is well known.
We know Armitage did so I guess Fitzfong new that Novak was a dead end street.
Novak didn't commit any crimes, so why would Fitz be after him?
I suppose his fellow journalists left him alone because they new he had no source to reveal.
Not sure what you mean, what did they have to leave him alone about?
Even though it began with him he seemed to just sit back and watch the fiasco.
First of all, he did defend the admin. He went out of the way to say that there was no crime. what else do you want?
In my opinion he is a jerk.
Why go through the charade of making up reasons he is a jerk? Why don't you just say that "Anyone who doesn't act in the interest of W at all times is a jerk?". That is clearly what you believe. Just say it.
Also, Novak is a late-in-life convert to Catholicism.
Right. In the same way as many Arabs and Muslims and Western Europeans don't dislike USA and Americans, but are just critical of current President and his policies. And in the same way that many here don't hate France or Germany, just intensely dislike their leaderships and their policies.
Ohh, good one. Slipped that blade right in, didn't you? [grin]
Of course, Novak only said Slick Willie was "likeable"; nothing about smart or moral.
“In the same way as many Arabs and Muslims and Western Europeans don’t dislike USA and Americans, but are just critical of current President and his policies.”
Do you worry about Muzzies under your bed?
I look forward to democracy in Iraq and a popular revolution in Iran. I think oil will drop in price drastically and bankrupt a lot of our enemies.
Making this happen requires gling beyond good and evil.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.