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Veteran Political Columnist Robert Novak Retires

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August 04, 2008 2:10 PM

ABC News' Tahman Bradley Reports: Syndicated columnist Robert Novak announced his retirement from the Chicago Sun-Times on Monday, just one week after being diagnosed with a brain tumor.

Mr. Novak, who is 77, notified his Sun-Times colleagues Monday that he would leave the paper to focus on the treatment of his brain tumor, Chicago Sun-Times spokeswomen Tammy Chase said. Novak's last column was Sunday, July 27.

The Sun-Times posted a short statement from Novak on its website announcing the decision.

"The details are being worked out with the doctors this week, but the tentative plan is for radiation and chemotherapy," Novak said, according to the website.

Novak will be undergoing treatment at the National Cancer Institute in Washington, DC, Chase said.

Chase was not aware of whether or not Novak would end his regular appearances on national television programs.

Shortly after the brain tumor diagnosis, Novak announced he would suspend his journalist work "for an indefinite but, God willing, not too lengthy period."

One of the most prominent reporters in the country, Novak has been with the Sun-Times since 1966. His column was first distributed in 1963 by Publishers Newspaper Syndicate.

Novak became a central figure in the situation involving former C.I.A. operative Valerie Plame when he publicly identified Plame as a covert operative.

Two weeks ago, Novak was issued a citation for striking a homeless man with his car in Washington.

August 4, 2008 | Permalink | User Comments (34)

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Obama is going to put him to work driving the OBAMA BUS

Posted by: trucker | Aug 4, 2008 2:14:20 PM

good riddance.

Posted by: hang | Aug 4, 2008 2:23:30 PM

May life bring you as much mercy as you have for this man.

Posted by: Katie | Aug 4, 2008 2:46:25 PM

BYE BYE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Posted by: angie | Aug 4, 2008 2:48:13 PM

God bless him and his family

Posted by: Chris | Aug 4, 2008 2:52:44 PM

I am once again disgusted by those on the left who decide because someone has a differing opinion than them they can be grossly rude to someone who has either passed away of cancer or in this case, diagnosied with cancer. For God's sake, have some respect for him and his family.
I only wish him the best during this very difficult time.

Posted by: Lynn | Aug 4, 2008 3:00:48 PM

Novak was garbage but useful garbage, happy to smear anyone and anything for his handlers. His sleaze that passed for commentary or worse accepted as "jornalism" will be hardly missed and harshly remembered. God give him the peace in his life that he never gave others by his horrible work.

Posted by: ick! | Aug 4, 2008 3:02:24 PM

I'm progressive and here is my view:

I wouldn't wish this on anyone - having said that, every person in America diagnosed with something this awful should have access the same level of medical care he is receiving. We all know they don't.

I will not miss his column or his continued and sometimes underhanded shilling for entrenched power and wealth in this nation.

I would be pleased if he recovered and lived out his life in obscure retirement. I am only sorry that he'll never pay a professional price for outing Valeria Plame.

Posted by: Dave In Colorado | Aug 4, 2008 3:17:22 PM

Remember the first Newton's law of physics, which is emulated or copied for the materialistic world (from the karma philosphy applied in the eternal world). Don't speak ill of others, especially when they fall on hard times, lest such ill will boomerangs and hits evil sayer.

Narumanchi
8-4-2008

Posted by: Narumanchi | Aug 4, 2008 3:34:02 PM

I never wish this kind of news on anyone and hope he will get more compassion than he has shown other people.

Oh, and in my personal dealings with him he has always been horrid. I hope he gets better soon and then gets to go to jail. In jail or just retirement, I will not miss his writing.

Posted by: Whatever | Aug 4, 2008 3:44:19 PM

Valerie Plame was not covert. Richard Armitage is not Robert Novak. You ghoulish liberal animals are disgusting. Your beloved Komrade Kennedy develops a tumor and the right largely overlooks his record as a traitor and a murderer to express sympathy for his condition. Any person who fails to toe the party line for the far left is mocked and abused as soon as they fall ill, and are abused mercilessly in their death. It's an abomination.

Posted by: Jason | Aug 4, 2008 3:55:59 PM

I'm a strong Democrat. I don't like Novak's involvement in outing Valerie Plame. That said, this is a sad day for me personally. I've always admired Novak as a reporter. This is different from his ideological rants. I also admired the Prince of Darkness's style. May God bless him and his family.

Posted by: Barry | Aug 4, 2008 4:00:06 PM

Dashawn - trust me .. we all talk about Obama like that - it's not just Novak. We call it how it is ..

Posted by: CJ | Aug 4, 2008 4:01:00 PM

I fail to see how revealing Valerie Plame was an act of treason. He was just reporting what he was told. If, a big IF, there was treason in the outing, it was on the person(s) who had the original knowledge and revealed to that to him.

DownriverDem - do you feel the same about Chappaqidick?

Lastly, shame on anyone that would rejoice in the failing health of another. Amazing the callousness

Posted by: Deab | Aug 4, 2008 4:11:07 PM

That's what happens when one human has such a high concentration of pure evil.

Posted by: tt | Aug 4, 2008 4:27:23 PM

Robert Novak has for many years, been the most perceptive and connected reporter and analyst of the US political scene both in Washington DC and in the various states. He well deserves his retirement and I only wish it were in circumstances other than his illness. Best wishes Bob!

Posted by: Wendell Openshaw | Aug 4, 2008 5:18:18 PM

What stupid people there are from both sides, to make his illness a political issue is insane. God save this this crazy country. God bless Mr. Novak

Posted by: Calvin | Aug 4, 2008 5:19:23 PM

Novak would gladly now accept a prison sentence for the TREASON he helped Cheney, ROVE, and LIBBY dish out; in exchange, for a longer life. But he did not and the US Attorney Generals covered for him, and now the devil dishes out his punishment and prepares his future lair where he will pay for the crime he participated in. ERGO

Posted by: daddyblue | Aug 4, 2008 5:31:02 PM

How could ANYONE wish this on someone, just because he/she doesn't value that person's opinion. I'm not a Novak fan; he's way too conservative for me. But give the man the wishes for good health that all people should give to one another.

You people ought to be (but clearly aren't) ashamed of yourselves.

Posted by: Beth | Aug 4, 2008 5:44:28 PM

I think that Novak is a despicable human being who has caused considerable harm to a lot of people. I will not pretend to like or respect him now that he is ill. However, I don't relish in the fact that he's ill.

Posted by: Liz | Aug 4, 2008 5:57:02 PM

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