RIP, Robert Novak

Legendary newsman and later TV personality Robert Novak has pased away.

Kenneth Y. Tomlinsin eulogizes at Human Events.

More reaction from Ed Morrissey and Lynn Sweet.

Chicago Sun-Times columnist Robert Novak, one of the nation’s most influential journalists, who relished his “Prince of Darkness” public persona, died at home here early Tuesday morning after a battle with brain cancer.

“He was someone who loved being a journalist, loved journalism and loved his country and loved his family, Novak’s wife, Geraldine, told the Sun-Times on Tuesday.

Novak’s remarkable and long-running career made him a powerful presence in newspaper columns, newsletters, books and on television.

On May 15, 1963, Novak teamed up with the late Rowland Evans Jr. to create the “Inside Report” political column, which became the must-read syndicated column. Evans tapped Novak, then a 31-year old correspondent for the Wall Street Journal, to help with the workload of a six-day-a-week column.

Evans and Novak were the od d couple: Evans a Philadelphia blue blood and Yale graduate; Novak from Joliet, Ill. who attended the University of Illinois, Champaign-Urbana campus.

Novak handled the column solo after Evans retired in 1993. The Chicago Sun-Times has been Novak’s home paper since 1966.

The always compassionate souls at the Democratic Underground pay their respects.

I'm usually more compassionate, but
not today. Boo fucking hoo.

One dirtbag "conservative" down, a gazillion to go...

Diane

Classy lady, that Diane.

Then this charmer.

Quick!!! Cut his heart into four pieces and scatter them.

Don't want this one returning.

More on Novak from the Washington Post.

Assorted reaction here.

Obama to Pantsuit: Don't Swiftboat Me!

In the future, everyone will be Swiftboated for 15 minutes.

Amusing Democrat foodfight today, as Robert Novak first dropped this item.

Agents of Sen. Hillary Clinton are spreading the word in Democratic circles that she has scandalous information about her principal opponent for the party's presidential nomination, Sen. Barack Obama, but has decided not to use it. The nature of the alleged scandal was not disclosed.

This word-of-mouth among Democrats makes Obama look vulnerable and Clinton look prudent. It comes during a dip for the front-running Clinton after she refused to take a stand on New York Gov. Eliot Spitzer's now discarded plan to give driver's licenses to illegal aliens.

Obama followed up with the Swift boat card.

Sen. Barack Obama (D-Ill.) took the rare step of issuing a statement in his own name on Saturday to call attention to a report by columnist Robert D. Novak that New York Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton's campaign is sitting on “scandalous” information about Obama.

The information was not described and there is no proof it exists.

Obama accused Clinton of “Swift boat’ politics” and vowed he will not be intimidated.

Hilarity then ensued when Clinton's oily operative Howard Wolfson cleverly sniffed out--you guessed it--a Republican plot!

Howard Wolfson, Clinton's campaign communications director, said she has "no idea" what the item is about.

"Once again Sen. Obama is echoing Republican talking points, this time from Bob Novak," he said in an e-mailed statement.

"This is how Republicans work. A Republican-leaning journalist runs a blind item designed to set Democrats against one another. Experienced Democrats see this for what it is. Others get distracted and thrown off their games. Voters should be concerned about the readiness of any Democrat inexperienced enough to fall for this. There is only one campaign in this race that has actually engaged in the very practice that Sen. Obama is decrying, and it's his. We have no idea what Mr. Novak's item is about and reject it totally. Instead of pointing fingers at us, Sen. Obama should get back to the issues and focus on what this election is really about."

Got all that?

It goes without saying there's no question the Clintons have some dirt on Obama, being it skirt-chasing or accounts of past drug use. I doubt they'd even touch womanizing--if it ever occurred--for obvious reasons. For that matter, considering allegations of Bill Clinton's past drug use, it's doubtful they'd want to go there, either.

Maybe it's just smoke to get a reaction from Obama. Who knows?

Allahpundit weighs in.

More here.

Meanwhile, the CNN debate fallout continues. Doug Ross has a look at all the plants.

Novak Endorses Ron Paul

Maybe he just crushed a few too many cocktails. Or perhaps he missed his afternoon nap.

Then again, he may just be looking for the Ron Paul loons to buy his book.

If he's serious, then it's way past time he eased himself into retirement.

Novak likes the idea of President Paul

When asked to rate the current field of Republican presidential candidates, Novak didn't have any kind words for the current top-tier field of Rudy Giuliani, Fred Thompson, Mitt Romney and John McCain. But when pressed as to who he thinks will be the eventual nominee, Novak said he expects Thompson to get the nod.

However, Novak offered his own personal endorsement of Texas congressman Ron Paul. "He's a very engaging person... I'd like to see him as president," Novak said. "Can you imagine him at the United Nations?"

Of course, I can imagine him at the UN. The place is filled with lunatics, why not let one more in?