Columnist Has Ties to Anti-Kerry Book
By JACQUES STEINBERG
August 30, 2004
nytimes.com
Among the stoutest defenders of "Unfit for Command: Swift Boat Veterans Speak Out Against John Kerry," the best-selling book arguing that Mr. Kerry lied about his record of service in Vietnam, is the columnist Robert Novak.
In his syndicated columns and on the CNN program "Crossfire," Mr. Novak has lauded the book and referred to veterans who criticize Mr. Kerry - most notably John E. O'Neill, the book's co-author - as "real patriots."
Unmentioned in Mr. Novak's columns and television appearances, however, is a personal connection he has to the book: his son, Alex Novak, is the director of marketing for its publisher, the conservative publishing house Regnery.
In a telephone interview, Robert Novak said he saw no need to disclose the link.
"I don't think it's relevant," he said.
"I'm just functioning as a columnist with a point of view, and a strong point of view," he added.
Copyright 2004 The New York Times Company |
