Robert Novak, Prince of Darkness, dead at 78

**witchcurlgirl** · August 18th, 2009, 11:30 AM

Columnist Robert Novak died early Tuesday after a battle with brain cancer.

The Chicago Sun-Times' Lynn Sweet reports that Novak died at home early Tuesday.

"He was someone who loved being a journalist, love journalism and loved his country and loved his family," Novak's wife, Geraldine, told the Sun-Times.

Novak announced last summer that he had a brain tumor, and said that he did not expect to survive it. He described his treatment in a column in September and said then, "I have lost not only left peripheral vision but nearly all my left vision, probably permanently."

Conservative publication Human Events has rolled out an obituary by former Reader's Digest Editor-in-Chief Kenneth Tomlinson and a remembrance of Novak by Timothy Carney, a former reporter for Novak and the editor of the Evans-Novak Political Report since Novak's retirement last year.

Robert Novak Dead At 78

*DIVA! · August 18th, 2009, 11:37 AM

rip

**MohandasKGanja** · August 18th, 2009, 11:39 AM

Novak was one of the original TV right-wing zealots. He used to appear on Agronsky and Company (25+ years ago) and the McLaughlin Group, where he threw many verbal grenades.

He and his writing partner, Rowland Evans, were very critical of Israel, even in the 1970's. I think the only thing that protected them from being accused of being anti-semites was that Novak himself was Jewish. Ironically, Novak went on to convert to Catholicism.

**Fluffy** · August 18th, 2009, 12:07 PM

Douchebag of Liberty. Wonder if The Daily Show will mention him tonight.

**Little Wombat** · August 18th, 2009, 12:09 PM

^ I was wondering the same thing!

**nana55** · August 18th, 2009, 12:16 PM

"Prince of darkness" does that make Cheney "King of Darkness"

**Mr. Authority** · August 18th, 2009, 12:28 PM

Was he the guy on Crossfire with James Carville on CNN?

**Little Wombat** · August 18th, 2009, 12:38 PM

^ Yup, the old one. (Not to be confused with Tucker Carlson, the "young" one who wore a bow tie.)

**LynnieD** · August 18th, 2009, 12:57 PM

The McLaughin Group was awesome to watch....especially drunk or stoned, or preferably both.

**MohandasKGanja** · August 18th, 2009, 02:50 PM

Originally Posted by LynnieD

The McLaughin Group was awesome to watch....especially drunk or stoned, or preferably both.

"Issue ONE!!!!"

"Mor-Ton, I see you've graced with more of your hideous neckwear!"

"Predictions?!?!?!"

"You know, you and the other members of your 'I hate America' club...." (that one's by Robert Novak)

I'll never forget the good-humored, Jabba the Hut-like Jack Germond somehow managing to keep his dignity among all the mudslinging.

**visitor42** · August 19th, 2009, 01:22 AM

Originally Posted by nana55

"Prince of darkness" does that make Cheney "King of Darkness"

Cheney's the Emperor of Darkness or the Dark Lord.

**nana55** · August 19th, 2009, 01:48 PM

aaah, of course^^

**visitor42** · August 20th, 2009, 01:18 AM

Originally Posted by MohandasKGanja

"Issue ONE!!!!"

"Mor-Ton, I see you've graced with more of your hideous neckwear!"

"Predictions?!?!?!"

"You know, you and the other members of your 'I hate America' club...." (that one's by Robert Novak)

I'll never forget the good-humored, Jabba the Hut-like Jack Germond somehow managing to keep his dignity among all the mudslinging.

The SNL parody was also great with Dana Carvey as McLaughlin.

SNL Transcripts: Christian Slater: 10/26/91: The McLaughlin Group