Posted on 08/05/2005 10:58:36 AM PDT by wagglebee
CNN commentator Robert Novak's decision to storm off the set of "Inside Politics" yesterday has already received four times as much news coverage as a similar meltdown by ex-President Clinton.
Clinton walked out in the midst of a 1994 interview with NBC in Prague.
A Lexis-Nexis search conducted midday Friday turned up 39 stories on the Novak tantrum, detailing how the conservative columnist exploded during a debate with fellow CNN'er James Carville, yanked off his microphone and walked away.
Novak's actions were almost a mirror image of Clinton's, who pulled the plug on a Jan. 14, 1994 interview with NBC reporter Jim Miklaszewski after becoming angry that the NBC'er had dared to ask him about Whitewater.
"You've had your two questions, Jim," Clinton snarled. "I'm sorry you're not interested in the trip." The president then leaped to his feet, tore off his microphone and stormed off the set.
The next day, Clinton was asked about his tantrum during an interview on ABC's "Nightline."
"There's no point in going into it now," he insisted. "I don't have to talk about it anymore."
Despite the fact that the presidential meltdown came in the midst of a network television interview, the episode attracted surprisingly little media attention.
A Lexis-Nexis search turned up just 9 reports on Clinton's tantrum for the entire week after it happened.
I didn't even remember that BJ walked out on an interview until I saw this story.
Didn't Clinton throw a hissy during the Ginsburg nomination announcement? ABC reporter Brit Hume asked a question about the selection process which seemed to ruin ole bubba's day.
Very efficient cover up.
I remember Dan Ratherbiased walking off because he was pissed about a sporting event running into the news hour, but I barely remember the Klintoon episode even registering with the media.
And ABC did not suspend Clinton either.
BJ probably thought the Hume was making reference to the fact that he surrounds himself with really ugly women!
The MSM must have gotten the message, cause he sure got preferred treatment ever since.
Hillary still has the guys testicles in a jar in her fridge.
I see nothing wrong with a presidential walkout on the press if it's done in good taste. Naturally that excludes all possible Clinton scenarios.
But Novak is no POTUS.
I remember he was none too happy when GWB was clearly the winner, late election night last year, and I haven't trusted him since.
I saw Novaks walk-out about 10 times... every time I see it...it looks more "staged" than the previous time.
But WHAT did Carvile say to him that precipitated this.?.
Anything that makes a conservative look bad is big news. Anything that makes BJ Clinton look bad gets surpressed.
Everyone here who is shocked by this revelation please say "aye"
:: crickets chirping ::
I didn't think so.
Not quite. The headlines were filled with Ken Starr's voyages into the dark unknown.
Carville was just being his normal obnoxious self and kept interrupting.
Nothing in NYT search.
Good question. This is the first I have heard of this. I guess you can tell I don't watch much TV.
You think that CNN may have staged this to boost ratings?
True, but no one should be expected to endure the likes of James Carville.
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.