Novak's Mea Culpa

NEW YORK (AP) -- Robert Novak apologized Friday for swearing on the air and walking off a CNN set, but said it had nothing to do with the federal probe sparked by his revelation of a CIA officer's name in a 2003 column.

"I apologize for my conduct and I'm sorry I did it," he said in an interview.

CNN has pulled him off the air indefinitely. Novak said "I'll follow their guidance" on when he returns.

CNN correspondent Ed Henry said afterward that he had been about to ask Novak about his role in the investigation of the leak of Valerie Plame's identity, which Novak has repeatedly refused to comment on aside from some references in his column.

"That had nothing to do with it, absolutely nothing," Novak said. "I was sorry he said that."

See, Dems.

This is how it's done. When you screw up, you take responsibility for your actions, hold yourself accountable, and apologize.

Did Novak insist that he didn't owe anyone an apology?

Did he try to explain that his comments were justified?

Did he wait a week before acknowledging the inappropriateness of his behavior?

No, no, and no.

Novak was out of control on Thursday's Inside Politic; but unlike libs such as Dick Durbin, he was smart enough to apologize immediately.

When Durbin behaved outrageously, comparing American personnel at Gitmo to Nazis, he wouldn't back away from his insanity. Being cheered on by the Loony Left, Durbin refused to take responsibility for his outlandish remarks and apologize. A week later, after it was clear that he couldn't get away with calling Americans the keepers of a gulag, he went to the Senate floor to shed some crocodile tears in hopes of digging himself out of his own grave.

It was too late to undo the profound damage.

Is it too late for Novak? I don't think so. Yesterday's incident was certainly weird, but it wasn't bordering on treason.

Novak simply lost it. He knew it was a live broadcast and he knew what he was saying and doing would not go unnoticed.

Well, if not for the Internet and news outlets picking up the story, it probably would have gone unnoticed. Who watches CNN?

The point is Novak acted in a completely unprofessional fashion and he needed to apologize for his outburst, which he did.

That won't put speculation about the root cause of his emotionally-charged behavior to rest; but it does indicate that he is not afraid to acknowledge his mistake.

It was the right thing for him to do.