Robert Novak's hit-run victim talks

[babylonsister]

Robert Novak's hit-run victim talks
Posted July 25, 2008 8:27 AM
The Swamp

by Frank James


A Washington D.C. radio station got an interview with the pedestrian struck by conservative commentator Robert Novak's black Corvette earlier this week.

Turns out the man struck by the 77-year old syndicated columnist is 86-years old (yes, I did a double-take on that age too) and homeless. And contrary to an initial report, which indicated he had gone to the hospital and was released with minor injuries, Don Clifford Liljenquist was actually hospitalized.

A Washington Post reporter got to see Liljenquist sitting on his hospital bed yesterday but was denied an interview by a relative of the Novaked pedestrian. (I think I just coined a new word.)

Liljenquist did talk however with local station WMAL and the Post used that interview in its story:

The homeless pedestrian who was struck by a car driven by syndicated columnist Robert D. Novak said in a radio interview yesterday that he is "doing fine," recovering from a dislocated shoulder, and voiced surprise and amusement that the prominent political pundit was at the wheel of the Chevrolet Corvette that hit him.

"Bob Novak is the one that hit me?" said 86-year-old Don Clifford Liljenquist, sounding astonished when WMAL (630 AM) reporter Troy Russell told him that the driver was Novak. "Well, everybody knows who Bob Novak is! He's a famous journalist! . . . I was struck by Bob Novak? . . . Well, I think that makes it a great story!"...

"Yeah, it's possible that he didn't know he hit me," Liljenquist said. "The vehicle was moving at 10 miles per hour or something like that, and the driver might not have seen me, because I rolled off and fell down to the pavement. So, yeah, it's possible that he didn't see me. He wasn't paying attention to his driving."

more...

http://www.swamppolitics.com/news/politics/blog/2008/07/robert_novaks_hitrun_victim_ta.html

[Botany]

1. Homeless no more

I think Bob is going to buy a Don a nice little place .....real soon.

[Virginia Dare]

2. Other witnesses are coming forward as well..

saying that there is no way he couldn't have known he hit somebody. A guy on the local news said that he heard a loud thump and turned to see a person rolling off the car.

He sounds like a sweet old guy though. Novak doesn't deserve his kindness and graciousness.

[babylonsister]

3. My head and heart hurt to consider a homeless man who's

86 years old. In DC? In winter?? :(

[groovedaddy]

7. But "relative" wouldn't allow him to be interviewed?

Is this "relative" also homeless? If not, what's this 86 year old doing out on the streets?

[babylonsister]

8. Maybe the 'relative' smells money. So sad however you slice it. nt

[Junkdrawer]

10. The only "interview" granted is with the local Rush Limbaugh RW Wingnut station?

http://www.wmal.com/

Something isn't smelling quite right here....

[Virginia Dare]

14. The dear man seems a little confused too..

I think as a juror I would trust the numerous eye-witnesses' judgement as to whether Novak should have known whether he hit somebody or not. Probably why the relative doesn't want him to be interviewed anymore.

[Junkdrawer]

4. Must be a relative of this guy:

[KharmaTrain]

5. And 1,000 PI Laywers Ears Perked Up...

It's gonna be some schadenfraude in here with the thought of Novak having to cough up major coin to this man...a guy who throws nickles around like the sanitation department (appologies to Mike Ditka).

Looks like Bob will be helping to solve this man's homeless and future health issues. What a guy! :rofl:

[ellenfl]

6. uh oh

"He wasn't paying attention to his driving."

i smell lawsuit! couldn't happen to a nicer guy.

an 86 year old homeless man is just sad . . . especially since he has family!

ellen fl

[PA Democrat]

9. I thought the same thing. Where was his family before the accident?

I hope that they are not on the scene just so they can get some money from the victim.

[rucky]

11. Headline: Hit and Run Journalist Diversifies

[boomerbust]

12. Easy solution

A nice little condo in the DC burbs, and a 2004 Vette convertible for Mr. Liljenquist. Would'nt that be an awesome sight? 86 yr. old homeless man cruising around in The Prince of Darkness' Vette.

[Junkdrawer]

13. Even easier solution:

Find a "relative" of the victim, pay the relative to coach the victim to swear that Novak may well have not seen him, and only allow the local RW wingnut station (WMAL) to do the interview to insure there are no "surprises".

[Blue Belle]

15. Better to be in the corvette than on top of it I suppose...

At least Liljenquist would be given a choice this time.

[Catherine Vincent]

16. Sounds like a nice man.

I guess he's lucky to be alive. Novak should settle out of court with this guy.