Novak Avoids Talk of CIA Leak

Robert Novak, a columnist for the Chicago Sun-Times and co-host of CNN’s Crossfire, disappointed audience members at the John F. Kennedy Jr. Forum last night by refusing to talk about his column that revealed the name of a CIA operative on weapons of mass destruction.

On July 14, 2003, Novak named Valerie Plame, the wife of the retired diplomat Joseph C. Wilson, as a CIA operative—an occupation she had kept secret—in his Chicago Sun-Times column.

Novak opened his talk entitled, “The Washington Overview,” with a list of five questions he is frequently asked. At the top of the list comes the question of who were the two senior administration officials who leaked Plame’s name.

“I have been told by my attorneys not to answer that question or any other questions about the CIA,” Novak said.

Many critics have claimed that the White House gave Plame’s name to Novak in order to get back at Wilson, her husband, after Wilson criticized the Bush administration for invading Iraq.

The CIA sent Wilson to Niger in February 2002 to investigate whether or not Iraq had purchased uranium with the intent to build weapons of mass destruction. After his trip, Wilson reported back to the White House that he doubted the veracity of reports that Iraq had purchased uranium from Niger.

While Novak was reticent about his July column, he had plenty to say about the upcoming 2004 presidential election. He spent the majority of his 20-minute speech discussing what factors would ultimately determine the presidential winner, focusing on the economy and the war in Iraq.

Novak, who has gained a reputation as a staunch conservative, criticized Democrats’ focus on the budget deficit.

“Most of all, [voters] are influenced by the economy,” Novak said. “People don’t give a damn about the deficit.”

Novak also argued that those with higher incomes of more than $50,000 usually vote Republican.

One audience member challenged this assertion in a question and answered session after Novak’s speech, pointing to the prevalence of stickers for Sen. John F. Kerry, D-Mass. on expensive automobiles in Massachusetts.

“You certainly can’t draw conclusions from the People’s Republic of Massachusetts,” Novak said.

Novak did, however, see one issue that could potentially bring down the Bush administration in the upcoming election.

“What is the issue that can bring across the Democrats?” Novak asked. “That is the war in Iraq.”

Novak said that he disagreed with the Bush administration’s decision to invade Iraq.

“I have morphed in my life from a moderate Republican to a right-wing extremist, but I have never been for intervening around the world to make replicas of Iowa,” he said. “I don’t think that is a practical ambition for the United States or the United States military.”

Novak also made predictions about Democratic candidates for vice president. He ranked the question of whether or not Sen. Hillary R. Clinton, D-N.Y., would be the running mate of Kerry as one of the top five questions he is frequently asked.

“Not a chance,” Novak said on the odds that Clinton would be selected as the vice presidential candidate. “She would be most desired by the Republicans because that would really guarantee a Republican win, but sometimes you don’t get what you wish for.”

In the question and answer session, Novak offered up another contender to be vice president.

“I think if you want somebody who is dedicated, diverse, and witty...that would be Al Sharpton,” Novak joked.

In his discussion about the presidential election, Novak also talked more generally about differences between the Democrats and Republicans, highlighting their conflicting views on government. He supported the traditional Republican view that more government is part of the problem, not part of the solution.

Novak told audience members that his two favorite presidents of the 20th century were Ronald Reagan and Calvin Coolidge—both of whom took a hands-off approach to the Oval Office.

“Neither one of them could have ever been accused of being a workaholic,” Novak said. “I personally believe that a president has never hurt the country while making zzz’s in the White House bedroom.”

Novak also talked about his reputation in Washington, D.C., referring to himself as the city’s “prince of darkness.”

“Is the Washington news media really as liberal as it is made out to be?” Novak asked. “That’s like asking, ‘Is Pope John Paul II really a Catholic?’”

Near the end of last night’s talk, one audience member attempted to probe Novak for more information regarding the sources who leaked Plame’s name to him, but was immediately struck down.

“I said I wouldn’t answer any questions,” Novak said. “This story is going to break some day, and I will answer all of your questions.”