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November 12, 2009
Anchor Lou Dobbs Departs CNN
New York
CNN's Lou Dobbs stepped down from his controversial role as an advocacy anchor at the network at the end of his show Wednesday night after announcing plans to seek a more activist role.
"Over the past six months, it has become increasingly clear that strong winds of change have begun buffeting this country and affecting all of us, and some leaders in media, politics and business have been urging me to go beyond the role here at CNN and to engage in constructive problem-solving as well as to contribute positively to a better understanding of the great issues of our day and to continue to do so in the most honest and direct language possible," Dobbs said during his 7 p.m. broadcast.
Dobbs, 64, said he had discussed the issue with CNN President Jonathan Klein, who had agreed to a release from his contract "that will enable me to pursue new opportunities."
In a written statement, Klein called Dobbs "a valued founding member of the CNN family."
"For decades, Lou fearlessly and tirelessly pursued some of the most important and complex stories of our time, often well ahead of the pack," Klein said. "All of us will miss his appetite for big ideas, the megawatt smile and larger-than-life presence he brought to our newsroom, and we're grateful to have known and worked with him over the years.
"With characteristic forthrightness, Lou has now decided to carry the banner of advocacy journalism elsewhere. We respect his decision and wish him, Debi [Dobbs' wife], and his family the very best."
Dobbs, who is the last of the 29-year-old network's original anchors, said he was considering "a number of options and directions."
He cited the growth of the middle class, the creation of jobs, health care, immigration policy, the environment, climate change and the U.S. military involvement in Iraq and Afghanistan as "the major issues of our time."
But, he said, "Each of those issues is, in my opinion, informed by our capacity to demonstrate strong resilience of our now weakened capitalist economy and demonstrate the political will to overcome the lack of true representation in Washington, D.C. I believe these to be profoundly, critically important issues and I will continue to strive to deal honestly and straightforwardly with those issues in the future." Read Dobbs' full statement about his departure from CNN
Those issues, he added, are defined in the public arena "by partisanship and ideology rather than by rigorous, empirical forethought, analysis and discussion," and he vowed to work to change that.
In an e-mail to CNN staff members, Klein described the parting as "extremely amicable," and said Dobbs' replacement would be announced soon.
Dobbs was with Cable News Network from its initial broadcasts in 1980, acting as chief economics correspondent and host of the business program "Moneyline."
His no-holds-barred, sometimes acerbic style brought him a loyal following, but also attracted controversy both to him and to the network, especially over the subject of illegal immigrants.
Dobbs will continue as anchor of The Lou Dobbs Show, a daily radio show that began in March 2008 and is distributed to more than 160 stations nationwide by United Stations Radio Networks Inc.
Wild Thing's comment.......
He did a lot to get the word out about the illegals and several other things as well. I would like it if FOX News would sign him up. They could get rid of Geraldo or Shep Smith.
Posted by Wild Thing at November 12, 2009 03:48 AM
Comments
I like Lou Dobbs a lot. I hope he runs for office or maybe gets a show @ FOX beside Beck. Now that would be a 1-2 knockout punch to the socialists running this place.
Posted by: cuchieddie(Enemy of the State) at November 12, 2009 08:15 AM
I would like to see Shep get the boot. His liberal whines and cries bug the heck out of me. Although he has great reporting and elocution skills, he has bought into the koolaid-drinking ideology way too much = loss of credibility. Why can't he just report the facts like he does "Ooonnnn Waaalll Street"...etc.?
Posted by: jan at November 12, 2009 10:30 AM
It will be interesting to see what Lou Dobbs has in mind. I seldom watch any TV but I know Dobbs is big on controlling illegal immigration and also controlling wayward government spending.
Posted by: TomR at November 12, 2009 01:52 PM
He is also a supporter of a Legitimate President and has openly said so on that network many times. He was even shot at while in his home.
This may be a convenient Co-agreement between him and the network.
Posted by: Mark at November 12, 2009 02:20 PM
Jan I agree, Shep for sure.
Thanks everyone, I love readuing your
comments and what you think about all these
things sooo much.
Posted by: Wild Thing at November 12, 2009 11:32 PM
