Robert Novak was a reflection of the old Washington Establishment. He was honest, principles and not take in by power. He was the antithesis of the current establishment: self-serving phonies who pander to whom ever pays and consistently toast one another at Georgetown parties for their supposed greatness. It is disgusting.

But Novak was something special. I read his memoir - Prince of Darkness - and was you see is a hard work person, a real journalist and someone who knew how to laugh unlike the present “so serious” crop. And unlike other Washington memoirs, Novak does not present himself as a saint. He is critical and very honest even at the cost of making himself look bad. That is why I miss Novak so much today: he told it like it is. Other journalists dance around, Novak stood tall and just spoke and all the while being witty.

His Saturday, one of two, column - recent for years with his writing partner Rowland Evans who dies in 2000 - was indispensable reading for those who wanted to know what was happening in the backrooms of Washington. Novak has sources everywhere and you always learned something from his. He was a great man and will be missed. He was a reflection of the old-time journalism that is unfortunately no more, for the most part, in America.

There are many obituaries on Novak. But I like this one by Ed Crane of the Cato Institute best:

Veteran political columnist Robert D. Novak, 78, died today of a brain tumor at his home in Washington DC.

Odd that the self-described Prince of Darkness was one of the nicest persons I’ve ever known. Unlike many here in Babylon-by-the-Potomac, Bob became less enamored of the Establishment the longer he was here. He believed in liberty and was a great friend of the Cato Institute.

He will be sorely missed.

Novak broke many stories in his life - such as Barry Goldwater running for the Republican nomination - can doomed the candidacy of George McGovern by quoting a liberal Senator claiming that McGovern stood for amnesty for draft dodgers, abortion and legalization of pot.

His was tarnished by liberals for ostensibly revealing the identity of Valerie Plame, a C.I.A. official. Not true. Plame was not uncover and it was justified to report his position in the C.I.A. because it was she who got Joe Wilson - her husband - his trip to Niger which led him to report an op-ed in the Times claiming Bush was lying about the Iraq war.

No post could do Novak justice. I recommend reading his memoir. Even if you dislike Novak and are not interested in the world of journalism, Novak is a great writer and keeps you engaged, you’ll also learn a lot about the world of politics and the Washington Establishment and how vile it is.

He was 78. Rest In Peace Bob.