Novak: I Had Better Sources Than Bush On Iraq
Novak: I Had Better Sources Than Bush On Iraq
This afternoon on CNN, Bob Novak did a farewell interview with Wolf Blitzer to commemorate the end of his 25-year career with the network (before he heads over to the more comfortable surroundings of Fox News). In the interview, Novak revealed that he had better pre-war intel sources on Iraq than President Bush did:
NOVAK: I said several times on this network that there were no weapons of mass destruction in Iraq.
BLITZER: How did you know that and the President of the United States, Vice President of the United States were convinced that there were?
NOVAK: Because my sources. I don’t run my own CIA. My sources didn’t think there were — in the military, people I trusted. And the indication of the inspectors indicated there was no weapons.
Where was the leak when we really needed it?
UPDATE: Crooks & Liars has the video.
Topic Cloud
ArchivesBlog Roll
He also flatly refused to state his comment about Bush knowing the CIA leak person was false. He flat-out just stated he “shouldn’t have said that”. Blitzer asked “Shouldn’t have said it, or it wasn’t true?” and he said “shouldn’t have said that”.
December 23rd, 2005 at 5:17 pmGood Riddance… Now I only have to look at Novak’s face when I’m forced to watch Fox News while studying the ridiculous arguments of the right so as to better tear them apart.
December 23rd, 2005 at 5:21 pmGoodbye Blovak. The world will not miss you nor shed a tear when you sink with that Fox boat.
Worthless piece of…
Oh yeah, and be sure to tell BO “happy holidays” for us.
December 23rd, 2005 at 5:22 pmFaiz, Scott Ritter has been saying all along that there is no need to invade Iraq due to no WMD and that their capability is dimished 90% or more
read this Fox interview between Ritter and Asman (he tries to put lots of words in Ritter’s mouth gee)
http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,62916,00.html
December 23rd, 2005 at 5:24 pm
Novak always was a whack job for the right-wing. Like so many other conservatives in DC, he is “p-whipped” by the Bush Administration.
December 23rd, 2005 at 5:34 pmnow, him having “better sources is just plain incorrect, what he actually had was the same data the president had, but before the president doctored it to suit his war.
December 23rd, 2005 at 5:44 pm“I knew that”….sure sure…after the fact, to little to late, I see you really care about your country. Goodbye you rightwing puppet. Don’t bother writing a book, JERK.
December 23rd, 2005 at 5:51 pmHe had the same source as Bush .Ritter was adamant , there were no WMDs .But no one in the administration would listen.
December 23rd, 2005 at 5:57 pmThis war was premeditated from since the end of the 1st Iraq war , by the likes of Cheney and all the lackeys of the oil industry .If Novak had bettrer sources and was against the war from the get go , why did he not come out forcefully against it and continued to speak against it ?
He was duplicite with his dedicated support of Bush and co.
This makes an accesssory to a war of choice and therefore a WAR CRIMINAL LIKE ALL THE BUSHIES . They should be dragged to a WORLD COURT .They are even more culpable than Sadam Hussein and all the tin horn dictators since WWII
to be fair to novak, he was vocal in his opposition to the war before it started. one of the few conservatives. I don’t remember him stating there was no wmd’s, but i do remember him questioning the rational for going to war.
December 23rd, 2005 at 5:59 pmHang on to your hats folks.
RAW STORY is reporting that Porter Goss, our intrepid head of the CIA has informed Turkey that the US is going to invade Iran and Syria.
So thats why they are withdrawing the troops from Iraq – so they can send them to Iran and Syria. What a brilliant idea Bushlandia.
December 23rd, 2005 at 6:17 pm#10 – Pablo – I don’t believe it – Bush can’t be that dumb.
December 23rd, 2005 at 6:22 pmMRTIMPA
According to RAW STORY Goss was recently in Turkey and told them that the US was preparted to use air strikes against Iran.
I am of the opinion that Bushlandia will talk Israel into striking Iran from the air, and promising Israel our full support in case Iran comes after them.
PM Sharon is just ignorant and stupid enough to do anything that Bushlandia asks of him.
December 23rd, 2005 at 6:30 pm#10 If the story is correct and the US invade Syria and Iran , this will be the end of the American experience , the end of America as a world power super or otherwise , the end of the American empire. I am not sure this is all bad . It might force us to look inward and rebuild America along a path of a strong union where the foreign adventurers would be tempered . I am not holding my breath .
December 23rd, 2005 at 6:30 pmAs a “Crossfire” addict, I always stuck up for Novak in regards to his position on the Iraq Invasion. He was always dead set against it, and never wasted his time being an apologist for it.
December 23rd, 2005 at 6:33 pmSay what you want about Novak, but at least you know where the man stands, same goes for Pat Buchanan.
They are honest and stay true to their beliefs, unlike the whole Bush Brigade who are masters of Orwellian Liespeak.
Hmmm – It’s not beyond the stretch of the imagination that we will soon be pulling troops out of Iraq and inserting them into some other locations. Why don’t they go after Korea like they are these middle eastern countries? They have the bomb up in the north, don’t they? Who needs mythical smoking guns when they have the real deal?
December 23rd, 2005 at 6:40 pm#10 Pablo, So thats why they are withdrawing the troops from Iraq
From my understanding the troops (2 brigades) that are withdrawing are currently in Kentucky or Kansas, they were never deployed.
Thats okay if Bubble boy wants to spin this as a withdrawal though, he makes the statement “I’m caving in, I will not stay the course”.
This is one spin that actually makes him out to be a flip flopper.
December 23rd, 2005 at 6:47 pmI just checked the Raw Story site and it has link to both German (in german) and Turkey (in english) news site reporting about Goss warning Turkey that if the threat is not eliminated that they may have to attack iran via air operations
(remember Bush Admin talked about drawn down to and start using air powers to help Iraqi forces? )
December 23rd, 2005 at 6:51 pmwindspike, well Bush want to do nation building in both countries you know spreading democracy like he did with Bush although messy eh.
December 23rd, 2005 at 6:52 pmI mean “like he did with Iraq although messy eh” oops
December 23rd, 2005 at 6:53 pmLet’s take up a collection, get some good looking babe to give this crazy basterd a bj so we can get him out for sure….
December 23rd, 2005 at 7:08 pmSharon, Bubble boy’s illegal wiretapping will take him out of office. Nobody is going to stand for it.
Every legal scholar says he committed a crime that is punishable up to 5 years in prison. He also committed an impeachable offense.
Add that to attacking a nation for the sole purpose to remove its leader, another impeachable offense, Bubble boy is done.
Put a fork in him.
December 23rd, 2005 at 7:30 pmNovak publically stated his opinion on WMDs before the war. You idiots weren’t paying attention.
December 23rd, 2005 at 7:33 pmBTW, Novak says in the interview:
December 23rd, 2005 at 7:39 pmNovak’s sources told him they didn’t have any problem with him writing about Val Wilson. “She would ever go on another covert mission.”
Right woo-ha, Plame never would go on another mission because Novak took care of that problem.
And the post wasn’t about Novak’s position on Iraq. It was about the sources he had for his information.
December 23rd, 2005 at 7:58 pmJack,
December 23rd, 2005 at 8:03 pmHe was told this before he wrote his column. And he did reveal before the war what his sources told him about WMDs. I know it’s little difficult to follow after 10 eggnogs.
Those neocons have a way of getting rid of their opposition.
December 23rd, 2005 at 8:12 pmWASHINGTON -
President Bush has granted 11 pardons, bringing to 69 the number of clemency orders he has issued since taking office five years ago, the Justice Department said.
ADVERTISEMENT
Three moonshiners and a bank robber are among those pardoned, as is a Denver attorney with Republican political ties. The pardons were issued Tuesday, in keeping with a tradition of granting clemency during the holiday season.
One of those pardoned, Wendy St. Charles, is a lawyer for a Denver homebuilder, MDC Holdings, parent of Richmond American Homes, The Denver Post reported. St. Charles was convicted on drug charges in 1984 and sentenced to four years in prison.
MDC’s chairman, Larry Mizel, has contributed more than half a million dollars to Republican campaigns along with his wife, Carol, according to the Center for Responsive Politics. A company spokeswoman did not immediately return a phone call from The Associated Press.
These pardons will enable the convicted felons the right to vote and own guns.
I know, its off topic but with a criminal in charge, there’s always something new to report.
December 23rd, 2005 at 8:35 pm#25 woo-ha
Who told him this? The original source who’s ass he’s covering by keeping silent?
December 23rd, 2005 at 8:38 pmWoo-ha, my friend, in Novak’s Oct 1, 2003 column, he admits that the CIA told him that disclosing Plame’s identity would cause “difficulties.”
http://www.townhall.com/opinion/columns/robertnovak/2003/10/01/168398.html
And I challenge you to find an instance where Novak revealed his source for knowledge that there was no wmd in Iraq before the war.
December 23rd, 2005 at 8:42 pm“I am the Living Dead. I want to suck your life force.”
December 23rd, 2005 at 8:48 pmNovak looks for his tossed salads among the rhghtwing powermongers. He is after all an asswipe! -Kevo
December 23rd, 2005 at 9:15 pmThe one person we should really thank is Jon Stewart. Had he not taken that dope Tucker Carlson to task on “Crossfire,” Carlson and the traitor would still be on CNN today.
Hey, maybe if Mr. Stewart was invited to Fox News as a guest, think of the possiblities. ;)
December 23rd, 2005 at 11:18 pmNovak’s a right-wing hack, no doubt. But I’m still enjoying his tweaking of Bush. First, saying Bush knows the CIA leak source, now saying Bush was basically incompetent in assessing his WMD sources. I’m sure his new employers at Fox will tell him to cool it.
December 24th, 2005 at 3:14 amNovak is saying that he spoke on CNN several times that there were no WMD
NOVAK: I said several times on this network that there were no weapons of mass destruction in Iraq
The American people should demand an investigation from a special prosecutor. It’s outrageous that people in the military were telling Novak the truth while the administration was lying to the world and the American people.
December 24th, 2005 at 3:33 amCheck out the clincher quote from above. “I don’t run my own CIA.” Who do think that is pointed at? Man what groin kick. I don’t run my own CIA…..
December 24th, 2005 at 6:58 am#21 Susan, I know all that, but it’s not getting done quick enough for me, and much is being shoved under the carpet or ignored…..
December 24th, 2005 at 10:52 amNovak didn’t have any better sources than Bush. We were lied to! END OF STORY!
December 24th, 2005 at 10:55 amIncredible … stakes through the heart, burning, cutting off the head, stuffing the mouth with garlic … nothing can kill off Novakula.
December 24th, 2005 at 11:12 amNow everybody knew there were not WMDs. Novak got paid off by the Bush Administration. Fox news (Bush station) who are paid members of the KKK hired Novak to keep his mouth shut. Novak has lost all respect as a journalist so it seems fitting that he join Fox. I wonder if Fox news will air the Bush impechment hearings?
December 24th, 2005 at 11:51 amNovak and a million others had “better sources” than the president, for God’s sake…
Many of us had factual based intelligence, Bush and Co. simply made theirs up.
One did not need security clearance to know there were no WMD before the invasion of Iraq. The CIA, US Army War College and others had this info publicly available to us all.
Novak must be spewing now-since some say he got immunity for his testimony. He says he always said “Iraq did not have WMD.” Whispering it a couple of times does not count, Novak. He is a traitor to what this country should stand for and to the American people.
Shame on him for selling out the very military that protects his right to free speech. The msm did a disservice to the troops and this country-make them pay-stop watching them.
For more info: http:prissypatriot.blogspot.com
December 24th, 2005 at 1:03 pmNovak and a million others had “better sources” than the president, for God’s sake…
Many of us had factual based intelligence, Bush and Co. simply made theirs up.
One did not need security clearance to know there were no WMD before the invasion of Iraq. The CIA, US Army War College and others had this info publicly available to us all.
Novak must be spewing now-since some say he got immunity for his testimony. He says he always said “Iraq did not have WMD.” Whispering it a couple of times does not count, Novak. He is a traitor to what this country should stand for and to the American people.
Shame on him for selling out the very military that protects his right to free speech. The msm did a disservice to the troops and this country-make them pay-stop watching them.
For more info: http://prissypatriot.blogspot.com
December 24th, 2005 at 1:04 pmSorry for duplicate post
December 24th, 2005 at 1:05 pmI’m just so sick of people like Novack that calls themselves journalist! Gossip of distorted truth!
December 24th, 2005 at 4:07 pmBut what about his pathetic response to the the matter dealing with mad spending Republican congress rfaised by blitzer? He loudly, but lamely, said it would be worse if Democrats were in power. Hah! We would not be at war if they were and we would not be giving the rich the tax cuts. And Blitzer did not call him on it; he let him skate. How trashy for a prime-time commentator. He’s no better than katie Couric who let Buchanan get away with lying about the matter of spying on Americans.
December 24th, 2005 at 4:17 pmWhy not save all this anti-Novak energy and direct it toward the real crook in our world. Dump Bush…….it’s time…….
December 24th, 2005 at 4:28 pmNovak.. UGLY American.. psuedo-journalist.. traitor.. violator of Valerie Plame.. bore.
December 24th, 2005 at 4:33 pmNo offense to Jimbo or Jon Stewart, but even without the latter’s famous appearance on Crossfire that show would be defunct, as is Novak’s other enterprise, Capitol Gang. It’s called exposure following the Plame leak, and CNN wouldn’t risk Novak’s formerly ubiquitous presence on its network where he might open his big mouth or be questioned too closely by other hosts and guests.
December 24th, 2005 at 4:49 pmHere’s a Happy Holidays to Republicans. For some reason you and your spokesperson O’Reilly seem to think the term Happy Holidays does not sufficiently reflect your declared Christian Republican religion. You demand prevalent use of a seasonal greeting like “Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year†that cannot be shared with other religions. You would just be silly if it weren’t for the fact that lots of people are dying because of petty attitudes like yours.
PS As John Stewart has aptly pointed out, Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year are two Holidays and therefore the term “Happy Holidays” can apply logically to those who are Christian without Republicans being polluted by the Holidays of other religions. But why bother with such petty things as logic when religious fundamentalism is more fun, right?
December 24th, 2005 at 4:49 pmJust stopping in to wish you a merry and festive holiday.
Light a candle for freedom,
light a candle for peace,
light a candle for learning,
light a candle for honest democracy
light a candle for those who have not food or home
light a candle for the bruised beauty and waining bounty of our over used planet
light a candle for those hunted and harried for having a different belief
light a frigging bonfire to give light to the great power that is in the dark.
[why not? I hears its a season for miracles and hope.]
December 24th, 2005 at 8:06 pm
December 24th, 2005 at 9:37 pm
December 24th, 2005 at 9:38 pmI can’t stand that traitor Novak and I believed I once said he should be tarred and feathered. And now to find he also agreed with me before the war That there were no WMDs. Of course, he found out from his contacts in the CIA and the people hyping the intel and I had to read the foreign sources.
Good riddance, I’m sorry he cooperated with Fitz and so won’t be indicted.
December 25th, 2005 at 3:34 amGlad he’s going to FOX. I wish they’d put every wing-nut on that channel where they belong and where all the wackos go for their news.
December 25th, 2005 at 11:44 amThey don’t call him the Prince of Darkness for nothing.
December 25th, 2005 at 3:26 pmIran and Syria: Next Phase of the War
Confirmed in national security documents, a central objective of this war is the conquest and confiscation of Middle East oil wealth. In this regard, the broader Middle East – Central Asian region encompasses some 70 percent of the World’s oil and gas resources, more than thirty times those of the US.
The Anglo-American oil giants in alliance with Wall Street and the military-industrial complex are indelibly behind America’s war agenda.
The next phase of this war is Iran and Syria, which have already been identified as targets.
Iran is the country with the third largest oil and gas reserves (10%) after Saudi Arabia (25%) and Iraq (11%). The US is seeking with the complicity of the UN Security Council to establish a pretext for the bombing of Iran, which is presented as a threat to world peace.
Israel is slated to play a key role in launching the military operation against Iran.
This operation is in a state of readiness. Were it to occur, the war would extend to the entire Middle Eastern region and beyond. At the same token, Israel would become an official member of the Anglo-American military axis.
In early 2005, several high profile military exercises were conducted in the Eastern Mediterranean, involving military deployments and the testing of weapons systems. Military planning meetings were held between the US, Israel and Turkey. There has been a shuttle of military and government officials between Washington, Tel Aviv and Ankara.
Intense diplomatic exchanges have been carried out at the international level with a view to securing areas of military cooperation and/or support for a US-Israeli led military operation directed against Iran. The UN Security Council resolution regarding Iran’s nuclear program provides a pretext, which the US plans to use to justify military intervention.
Of significance is a November 2004 military cooperation agreement between NATO and Israel. A few months later, Israel was involved for the first time in military exercises with NATO, which also included several Arab countries.
A massive buildup in military hardware has occurred in preparation for a possible attack on Iran. Israel has taken delivery from the US of some 5,000 “smart air launched weapons” including some 500 BLU 109 ‘bunker-buster bombs.
Nuclear Weapons in Conventional War Theaters: “Safe for Civilians”
An attack on Iran using tactical nuclear weapons (mini-nukes) has also been contemplated. Tactical nuclear weapons with an explosive capacity between one third to 6 times a Hiroshima bomb have been cleared for use in conventional war theaters. .
December 25th, 2005 at 7:56 pm– Michel Chossudovsky
ohmigod novak is a douche. “And the indication of the inspectors indicated there was no weapons” is kind of a stupid thing to say, considering what he wrote in august 2003:
Former international weapons inspector David Kay, now seeking Iraqi weapons of mass destruction for the Pentagon, has privately reported successes that are planned to be revealed to the public in mid-September.
December 25th, 2005 at 8:12 pmWhen will this man shut up?
December 26th, 2005 at 8:34 amyou need to group together as americans and have a public enquiry into 9/11 as i smell a fish after reading The New Pearl Harbor: Disturbing Questions About the Bush Administration and 9/11 – David Ray Griffin;
really Ive never been so serious
December 27th, 2005 at 11:08 amto be fair to novak, he was vocal in his opposition to the war before it started. one of the few conservatives. I don’t remember him stating there was no wmd’s, but i do remember him questioning the rational for going to war.
Comment by omachoomar
omachoomar #9,
That makes Novak the worst of the Bushite lot. He knowingly supports an incompetent, evil, corrupt regime like John McCain. These lock step republiscum are nothing more than facist slaves to power.
December 27th, 2005 at 4:02 pmWow,
et tu think progress, I thought censorship was only for the redstate.org crowd?
December 27th, 2005 at 4:06 pmThe Americans are cowards they pick on Iraq with a population of 20 million in a flat terrain kill 100,000 civilians and are proud of it well lets say the republican lot…….Try Iran, which has nearly 70 million people, mostly of a young population under 35 a mountainous terrain and a much more effective military. You Bush lovers should write your man and advise him to let that sleeping dog lie. As they will kick your ass ……..Proving the point you are yellow bellied murderers that steal oil to help boost your economy as the world boycotts your industrial goods cause of the mess your making of OUR air
December 28th, 2005 at 3:52 pm[...] Blog Name: Think Progress Article Title: Novak: I Had Better Sources Than Bush On Iraq [...]
February 8th, 2006 at 8:25 pm[...] Blog Name: Think Progress Article Title: Novak: I Had Better Sources Than Bush On Iraq [...]
February 18th, 2006 at 8:24 am[...] Blog Name: Think Progress Article Title: Novak: I Had Better Sources Than Bush On Iraq [...]
February 24th, 2006 at 6:23 amturkey guns
How does the rss feed work so I can get updated on your blog?
July 2nd, 2008 at 1:08 pmHotels Discount Hotel Rates Paris Hotel Las Vegas
I didn’t agree with you first, but last paragraph makes sense for me
July 3rd, 2008 at 3:57 pmDog Obedience Training
I am able to find some helpful information here to prepare some nice content. Any idea where can I find similar posts?
July 5th, 2008 at 5:01 amAss Thick Ass Babes Kick Ass
I can not agree with you in 100% regarding some thoughts, but you got good point of view
July 6th, 2008 at 12:54 pmLogan
I always enjoy coming to this site because you offer great tips and advice for people like me who can always use a few good pointers. I will be getting my friends to pop around fairly soon.
July 6th, 2008 at 2:08 pmBasketball Play Basketball Games Soccer Moms
I didn’t agree with you first, but last paragraph makes sense for me
July 8th, 2008 at 12:07 amYoung Girls Young Teens Angus Young
I can not agree with you in 100% regarding some thoughts, but you got good point of view
July 9th, 2008 at 12:57 amAss Round Ass Tight Ass
I can not agree with you in 100% regarding some thoughts, but you got good point of view
July 13th, 2008 at 12:24 amair resorts
I was impressed by your site and offerings. I was looking at some of the articles and it really impressed me. All I can say is congratulations on creating this site and what took you so long? I look forward to returning Free Mp3 Download.
July 13th, 2008 at 12:58 pmWeather Forecast Air Supply Cloud
I didn’t agree with you first, but last paragraph makes sense for me
July 15th, 2008 at 12:55 amHealth Insurance Health Care Waste Management Small Business Health Insurance Florida
I didn’t agree with you first, but last paragraph makes sense for me
July 19th, 2008 at 9:36 amtax help hotline
Updated Resources, Information and Links about Tax Help
July 21st, 2008 at 11:04 amephedrine
what is ephedrine used for
July 24th, 2008 at 7:32 pmarmy hats
) Some individuals or companies have abused the TrackBack feature to insert spam links on some blogs (see sping). This is similar to
August 2nd, 2008 at 1:01 amFuture Shop Cars For Sale Small Dogs For Sale…
I didn’t agree with you first, but last paragraph makes sense for me…
November 2nd, 2008 at 9:39 am