Novak: Bush Presidency "A Failure"

Conservative columnist Bob Novak told Tim Russert this weekend that he thinks George W. Bush's presidency has been a failure.

Novak appeared on Tim Russert's CNBC interview program to plug his new book, The Prince of Darkness.

"I think he's been a failure," Novak said when asked to rate the President. "I think this war, I thought it was a mistake to go into the war," Novak said. Novak also said Bush failed on social security reform and tax reform. "He came out for them, but didn't push them," Novak said. "He never understood this spending was running out of control, but the worst mistake was this war."

Also notable:

• On The Chris Matthews Show, John Heilemann of New York magazine predicted Fred Thompson would jump into the presidential race, but drop out by November.
• Mike Huckabee sent out a fundraising letter to supporters asking for donations of $35 or $70 dollars. Why that amount? Tickets to the Ames, Iowa straw poll next month cost . . . (drum roll) . . . 35 bucks. "It's important for our campaign to be able to provide Iowans that can't afford tickets to attend the Ames Straw Poll with the opportunity to participate," Huckabee wrote in an e-mail. The idea is, you buy tickets for people who will vote for you. Heck of a process eh? With Rudy Giuliani and John McCain bowing out of the poll, Mitt Romney will easily buy . . . ahem, win the thing. Huckabee needs a strong second place finish for any kind of momentum.
• Esquire magazine hands down wins the best political cover headline of the month. Its August issue blares: Can A White Man Still Be Elected President? On the cover, John Edwards.