HURRY!!!!!! Only a few seats left!!!!! Bob Novak, the Prince of Darkness himself, is selling 85 seats to people willing to pay $595 for his access to Washington's top decision-makers. An email invite from Novak went out this morning to Human Events' mailing list offering a limited-time offer to sign up attend the three-decade-old "Evans-Novak Political Forum" and get access to "The Ultimate (Secret) Source."

"This meeting is strictly off the record, and what is said there remains one of Washington's best-kept secrets," the email touts. At the forum "high-ranking officials openly discuss the most important topics facing the country, including national security, politics on the Hill, and the economy... You can ask them anything you want, and remarkably candid responses are given."

While the website claims the event is on September 21st, the email says the 22nd. Either way, it's at the University Club. Additional guests are a bargain at only $395.

Nothing quite like trading on access, right? Maybe this is that Faustian bargain that Mark Feldstein was talking about in yesterday's Post. The email touts that such luminaries as Karl Rove himself have spoken at previous events.

Maybe for $595, we could learn how Novak is involved in this whole Rove leak investigation thing....

It seems, with all of the drama over sources and a reporter sitting in jail for a story that Novak wrote, that this is a particularly unpleasant and inappropriate time for anyone to be advertising such an event that mixes journalism with cash to result in access to national leaders--and particularly repulsive given that Novak himself is doing it.

Hence, our second awarding of a Stinky Fish award recognizing the worst journalism journalism has to offer. Think of the Stinky Fish as the Anti-Pulitzer.

So congrats Mr. Novak: Today, you officially stink.

[Full email invite, complete with misspelling of Bob Shrum, after the jump]

Dear Friend,

Twice a year, Bob Novak invites a small number of people to join him in a private briefing with several of the country's most influential leaders.

And now you can join them!

This meeting is strictly off the record, and what is said there remains one of Washington's best-kept secrets.

For more than 30 years, government, business and political leaders have attended Bob's biannual Evans-Novak Political Forum. These high-ranking officials openly discuss the most important topics facing the country, including national security, politics on the Hill, and the economy. During the discussion, the speakers field questions from the attendees.

You can ask them anything you want, and remarkably candid responses are given.

The next Evans-Novak Political Forum will be Thursday, September 22, 2005, at The University Club in Washington, D.C. As always, the speaker list is shaping up to be impressive.

Previous Speakers Include:

Colin Powell, Former Secretary of State
Bob Schrum, 2004 Kerry Campaign Advisor
Dick Cheney, Vice President
Al Gore, Former Vice President
Sen. Bill Frist (R.-Tenn.), Senate Majority Leader
Sen. Harry Reid (D.-Nev.), Senate Minority Leader
Rep. Tom Delay (R.-Tex.), House Majority Leader
Karl Rove, Assistant to the President, Deputy Chief of Staff and Senior Advisor
Condoleezza Rice, Secretary of State
Ken Mehlman, RNC Chairman

As you can imagine, the people on this list are extremely busy. Even at the last minute our attendees are never left wanting. For example, at a recent Forum then Secretary of State Colin Powell made a surprise visit and discussed Iraq, Libya and other pressing issues for an hour.

This is not an event you want to miss as we expect the surprises to continue.

Important note: To ensure the intimate nature of this working session, only 85 people are allowed to attend. Seats are filling up, so sign up today!

Given this limited number of attendees, the stature of the speakers, and the confidential nature of the meeting, this Forum is rarely publicized. In fact, the Forum always has been and will continue to be one of Washington's best-kept secrets.

You are among the very few to be invited to the upcoming Evans-Novak Political Forum. The registration fee is $595 per person. And as a special benefit, you may bring up to two guests for just $395 per person.

Plus, as an added benefit of signing up today you will be automatically registered for a chance to win a private dinner with James Glassman, host of Tech Central Station, and seven other attendees the evening before the Forum on September 21.

Click here or call us at 202-216-0601, ext.443 to reserve your seat today.

I hope to see you on September 22.

Sincerely,

Tom Winter
President and Editor in Chief, Human Events

P.S. Remember, to ensure the intimate nature of this working session, we can accommodate only 85 people. Reserve your seat today or call us at 202-216-0601, ext. 443. Be sure to mention Priority Code: FOR05B

All conversations are strictly off the record
No recording devices will be allowed
Conference includes lunch
Discounted room rates available at
The University Club