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CNN correspondent Ed Henry said afterward that he had been about to ask Novak about his role in the investigation of the leak of Valerie Plame's identity, which the columnist has repeatedly refused to comment on.
On Friday Novak said he regretted his actions. "I apologize for my conduct and I'm sorry I did it," he said on a television interview.
The incident occurred as Novak and Democratic operative James Carville were handicapping the Senate candidacy of former Florida Secretary of State Katherine Harris. Novak said the opposition of the Republican establishment in Florida might not be fatal for her.
Carville, addressing the camera, needled Novak by saying: "He's got to show these right wingers that he's got a backbone, you know. Go ahead, the Wall Street Journal editorial page is watching you. Show 'em that you're tough."
"Well, I think that's bull---t and I hate that," replied Novak, a longtime contributor to CNN. "Just let it go."
As moderator Henry stepped in to ask Carville a question, Novak walked off the set.
A CNN spokeswoman, Edie Emery, says that Novak's behavior was "inexcusable and unacceptable." Novak apologized to CNN, and CNN was apologizing to viewers, Emery said, adding: "We've asked Mr. Novak to take some time off."
