In the second-to-last "Inside Politics" Strategy Session, James Carville and Bob Novak were in the middle of their post-Crossfire debate. While they were talking about Katherine Harris and other topics, Carville said something to set off Novak about Harris and the banter eventually drove Novak bonkers.

Carville: "You've gotta show these right-wingers some kind of backbone, you know, the Wall Street Journal editorial page is watching you show them you're tough."

Novak exclaimed, "Now, James, that's bullshit!" Then he turns to Henry: "Just let it go." He paused angrily for a moment, took off his microphone, and stormed off in a very Novak-like shuffle. Carville's look over his shoulder in puzzlement as Novak wanders off is classic. Henry, for his part, barely misses a beat, although there's an audible "um" as Novak crosses behind Carville.

"Bob Novak's behavior on CNN today was inexcusable and unacceptable. Mr. Novak has apologized to CNN, and CNN apologizes to its viewers for his language and actions. We've asked Mr. Novak to take some time off," a CNN spokeswoman told us.

Posted by: Jonathan Singer / 4:35 PM | Basie! Home