Lou Dobbs, "Advocacy" Journalist?

Lesley Stahl Interviews The Outspoken CNN Anchor On "60 Minutes"

(CBS)  (Editor's Note: After Lou Dobbs told Lesley Stahl about a meeting he had with the Congressional Hispanic Caucus, Rep. Joe Baca, the Chair of the Caucus, wrote this letter to 60 Minutes, and Rep. Luis V. Guitierrez, a member of the Caucus, wrote this letter, responding to Dobbs' characterization of the meeting.)

For over 20 years, as the host of "Moneyline" on CNN, Lou Dobbs all but created television business reporting. He was seen as a booster of capitalism, and of the corporate executives he covered.

But today, that mild-mannered friend of CEOs has morphed into an anti-business champion of the middle class – and a "Johnny One Note" on the evils of illegal immigration.

The more he rails, the more his audience grows; his ratings have nearly doubled in the last two years.

As correspondent Lesley Stahl reports, his supporters want him to run for president, his critics want CNN to fire him, and some in Congress just want him to be quiet.

---

If you’re looking for your traditional, detached, impartial news show, do not come knocking on Lou Dobbs' door. His show on CNN has become a nightly rage fest.

If you had to describe Dobbs today, you'd say he's a mad-as-hell anti-establishmentarian. But didn’t he used to be exactly the opposite?

When he was the popular anchor of CNN's "Moneyline" in the 1980s and 90s, he was one of the reasons CEOs became celebrities. But when the corporate corruption scandals broke in 2001, Dobbs says he felt betrayed and began attacking those CEOs for, their "greed" and for selling out American workers by outsourcing jobs overseas.

"Think about the words we don't hear any longer in this from corporate America: 'corporate citizenship,' 'empowerment of employees,' 'doing good for the community,'" Dobbs tells Stahl.

"This was a big, huge transformation," Stahl remarks. "It's like somebody invaded you."

"Well, I hope not," Dobbs says.

"Well, here's what they say about you: that you distort the figures, that you exaggerate and that you aim to inflame just to get ratings," Stahl says.

"Oh, really?" Dobbs replies. "That’s fascinating, because what I can't understand is why other journalists would not take on the issues of free trade, illegal immigration, outsourcing—all of these rather sexy topics … which I've been covering for years."

"Reporters don't 'take on' issues. Reporters 'report' issues, and there’s a big difference there," Stahl says. "Do you think you're a journalist?"

"Absolutely," Dobbs says. "I may be an advocacy journalist, but I'm a journalist."

One of the issues he tackles relentlessly is illegal immigration. And on that, his critics say, his advocacy can get in the way of the facts.

Following a report on illegal immigrants carrying diseases into the U.S., one of the correspondents on his show, Christine Romans, told Dobbs that there have been 7,000 cases of leprosy in the U.S. in the past three years.

60 Minutes checked that and found a report issued by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, saying that 7,000 is the number of leprosy cases over the last 30 years, not the past three. The report also says that nobody knows how many of those cases involve illegal immigrants.

"We went to try and check that number, 7,000. We can’t…," Stahl says.

"Well, I can tell you this. If we reported it, it’s a fact," Dobbs replies.

"You can’t tell me that. You did report it," Stahl says.

"I just did," Dobbs says.

"How can you guarantee that to me?" Stahl asks.

Says Dobbs, "Because I'm the managing editor. And that’s the way we do business. We don’t make up numbers, Lesley."

"That’s a strange attitude for a reporter to have, 'I don't need anymore facts. I know what the truth is,'" says Mark Potok, who monitors hate groups for the Southern Poverty Law Center.

Potok charges that Dobbs is a fear monger. "The impression you get, pretty strongly I think, day after day, is that sort of all 11 million illegal aliens are bringing leprosy, they’re bringing crime, they’re bringing all these terrible things to the United States," he explains.

"If these people have come into this country illegally, what is so wrong with somebody taking it up as an advocate?" Stahl asks.

"But that does not sort of give one the go-ahead to say that, you know, 'These are a group of rapists and disease-carrying people who are coming to, you know, essentially destroy the culture of this country.' You know, I think that’s a long leap," Potok says.

[bbbobbbb]

Every year 36000 people in the USA die from the flue so why is the news media tring to panic the people??????

[santeeca]

Dear ACJohne5
Back in the day, it wasn't that easy and they waited years to come here. As I said it would never had occured to them to break our laws to obtain the dream they held so long.

All I know is we cannot absorb everyone who wish to come here. We need to be more discriminate to those that wish to come as does Canada, England, and Australia. I know that amnesty was given before for the same excuses given today. What happened when amnesty was given - it encouraged more for illegal immigration. And with anmnesty the illegals and their supporters are demanding that the whole family be allowed to come here. Not just husband, wife, children, but grandparents, cousins, inlaws etc. Now how absurd is that?

Our ERs and our schools are overcrowded, our children are being cheated when the teachers must make allowances for those that do not speak English, millions spent on "Spanish" ballots and most everything having to do with government services.

Give amnesty now - when will it stop? More will come and in a year or two amnesty will be demanded again.

One other thing, there was a report from a city in Texas saying the citizens of the border towns in Mexico are sending their children to our schools. Just another example of their lack of respect for our country and their feeling of entitlement to the benefits of this country.

No, I am sorry. Enough is enough.

[santeeca]

Dear ACJohne5
Back in the day, it wasn't that easy and they waited years to come here. As I said it would never had occured to them to break our laws to obtain the dream they held so long.

All I know is we cannot absorb everyone who wish to come here. We need to be more discriminate to those that wish to come as does Canada, England, and Australia. I know that amnesty was given before for the same excuses given today. What happened when amnesty was given - it encouraged more for illegal immigration. And with anmnesty the illegals and their supporters are demanding that the whole family be allowed to come here. Not just husband, wife, children, but grandparents, cousins, inlaws etc. Now how absurd is that?

Our ERs and our schools are overcrowded, our children are being cheated when the teachers must make allowances for those that do not speak English, millions spent on "Spanish" ballots and most everything having to do with government services.

Give amnesty now - when will it stop? More will come and in a year or two amnesty will be demanded again.

One other thing, there was a report from a city in Texas saying the citizens of the border towns in Mexico are sending their children to our schools. Just another example of their lack of respect for our country and their feeling of entitlement to the benefits of this country.

No, I am sorry. Enough is enough.

[mrged]

I BELIEVE THAT THERE ARE TENS OF MILLIONS WHO WATCH THE LOU DOBBS SHOW WHO EITHER NEED THE GED OR WHOSE CHILDREN OR NEIGHBORS CHILDREN NEED THE GED AND LOU DOBBS IS NOT HELPING THEM. THERE ARE EVEN A MILLION OR MORE OF THOSE PEOPLE IN THE MIDDLE CLASS, TOO, WHO MUST WONDER WHY THERE IS NO HELP FOR THEIR CHILDREN AND NEIGHBORS.

MARTIN N. DANENBERG
7 BLAZER DRIVE
ISLANDIA, NEW YORK 11749
631-348-1341
[e-mail]
www.ahorre.com/ged
www.geocities.com/gedhotline




Profesor Martin Dane

[bren4824]

The US cannot take in the world. These people are not starving refugees, they are opportunists. There are millions of people throughout the world who are trying to come into this country through the proper, legal process. The illegals should NOT be rewarded for coming here illegally, while those who are trying to come in through the proper process are sent to the back of the line!!

We need to lift the welcome mats so that the illegals leave on their own and continue with the arrests and deportations. We don't want to break up families, so it is very important that the illegals take their children with them---or leave them with legal family members or friends. If a US citizen commits a crime, what happens to their children--there are no exceptions or special accommodations made for these people. The illegals put their children in this situation, not the US or US citizens. They knew that there was a chance that this day would come, but it did not seem to matter to them.

[bren4824]

acjohne:

if we had 12 million more taxpayers would'nt it be better .also if we had them pay fines."

These people will NEVER pay more into the system than they take out. Most have only an 8th grade education and continue to live here as they did in their native lands such as Mexico and other Latino/Hispanic nations (over 75% of the illegals are coming from those countries, with over 57% coming from Mexico alone)---having 3-10 kids that they cannot afford. The IRS will be sending them Earned Income Credit checks based on their income and family size, they will not be paying into the system.

If the 20+ million illegals are given amnesty (which is the more accurate number based on how many are getting across the border each day), they will then be able to bring in their family members (known as chain migration). This is going to turn the 20 million into 40 million in no time.

At this point, ALL of these people will become eligible for ALL social benefits----welfare, WIC, foodstamps, low-income housing, medical assistance, Social Security, etc. If they are still having 3-10 kids that they cannot afford, who do you think is going to pay for all of these social programs---it will be the working, tax paying citizens, that's who!!

Our country will not survive this, and will be pushed into 3rd world status in no time!!! Imagine what kind of country you are leaving for your children and grandchidren.

[bren4824]

Cooksy:

Nobody is going to have to "find them" in order for them to leave. If they welcome mat is lifted, they will leave on their own.

If proof of citizenship is required for all employmnent and social benefits---welfare, foodstamps, WIC, medical assistance, education, housing, etc.----they will not be able to get any of these things. Therefore, there will be no benefit to them to be here, they will begin to self deport and will discontinue coming.

If the government said---we are giving all illegals 6 months to get out of the country---and after that 6 months someone is caught in the country illegally they will get an automatic 6 months in jail, you can guarantee that they will begin to leave on their own as well.

If illegals are caught in the country 2 or more times---they should get an automatic 1-3 years.

If the welcome mat for the illegals is lifted, they will NOT be here.

[bren4824]

Cooksy:

Nobody is going to have to "find them" in order for them to leave. If they welcome mat is lifted, they will leave on their own.

If proof of citizenship is required for all employmnent and social benefits---welfare, foodstamps, WIC, medical assistance, education, housing, etc.----they will not be able to get any of these things. Therefore, there will be no benefit to them to be here, they will begin to self deport and will discontinue coming.

If the government said---we are giving all illegals 6 months to get out of the country---and after that 6 months someone is caught in the country illegally they will get an automatic 6 months in jail, you can guarantee that they will begin to leave on their own as well.

If illegals are caught in the country 2 or more times---they should get an automatic 1-3 years.

If the welcome mat for the illegals is lifted, they will NOT be here.

[john lie]

dear SANTEECA,
your right my comment of lou dobbs living on 300 acres is not fair.i'm just glad to hear from someone who is not prejudiced and tries to come up with a solution for this problem.
you mentioned that your grandparents came over to this great country searching for a better future for their families;well that is the same reason these people are here.they don't depend on the gov to take care of them .(maybe a small % but that will allways be the case)
but thats why i propose to document them pay fines,back taxes etc.then they won't be a burden on the american taxpayers ;they will be just like u and i.but why are some people so against that? is there not enough room in this country for everyone ?
back in the day your grandparents had an easier time emigrating legally because the # were much smaller and processing much quicker.today it's a large backlog of applicant's so these people are desperate and decide to break the law and risk their lives searching for a better future.
now that does not make it right but they are already here and +12 million of them
so now what to do ? we know they broke the law and all that (this is for people that keep mentioning that "they broke the law"as their argument,and next "send them all back")
ok we know they broke the law,so what do we do now.if we had 12 million more taxpayers would'nt it be better .also if we had them pay fines say$5000 each maybe we could get some of the money back we spent in iraq

[chesteena]

Dear gatogus and gretchen1234: you 2 are ignorant, uninformed nitwits; just change your names to 'frick and frack'and shutup!

[thepopulist1]

Lou Dobbs is the only Honest reporter we have. He says the things that none rest of these bought off *** have the balls to say. I started my blog, because of watching Lou Dobbs. He is the voice of Populism in the 21 century.

-Chuck Adkins
Editor-in-Chief
The Populist
http://thepopulistblog.com

[chesteena]

When I listen to Lou Dobbs, I can be positively, absolutely sure of one thing: I WILL NOT hear any news about Paris Hilton or Anna Nicole Smith. THANK GOD!!

[cooksy-2009]

The thing that just urks me more than anything else, is people saying can we catch them all and send them home, we can't find them, do you know where they are, do you know who they are, but yet in the same breathe they say they are not causing the crime, they are not causing the disease, they are not depleating our welfare system, they are not causing the closing of hospitals or taking jobs away from Americans, they are not drinking and driving illegally in this country. If you don't know who they are or where they are, how can you be so sure all the above is not true. I say cut off all forms of Social Services to anyone who is not a NATUALIZED AMERICAN CITIZEN, with the exception of Medical services for Emergencies only and see what happens from there. Just remember GOD will provide for them.

[santeeca]

acjohne5 - Mr. Dobbs hasn't always lived on 300 acres. He worked hard, put himself through school, etc. to get where he is. So you best get your facts straight.

My grandparents waited years to come here legally to escape proverty and an authoritarian government . They came with nothing, didn't know English, and with one hope in mind to make a better life for themselves and their children (the American dream). They didn't depend on our government to provide for them, teach them English, provide free medical care, food stamps, etc. They worked and worked hard, taught themselves English, worked many jobs to put their children through school. They instilled in their children that hard work, honesty,integrity, and love of this country and its laws were essential to have better lives.

Legal immigration has made this country great. However, we have become of country of citizens that feel the government should take care of them in every aspect of their lives. We cannot absorb all who come here especially those who come illegally. We have immigration laws that compared to the rest of the world are so lenient it boggles the mind. The U.S. absorbed over a million legal immigrants a year, more than most countries put together. We must enforce our laws especially our immigration laws and rewarding lawbreakers is unacceptable.

[stinsonwiu]

Lesley Stahl your interview with Lou Dobbs was insightful. The term you used was advocacy journalist and asked if he were misleading people by saying his program was a news show. You of all people show be captioned as a advocacy journalist, you are that by the nature of your question, you are not unbiased, you are disingenuous when asking questions, Your bias comes through and you should be exposed for what you are. Just review your tapes for the question you asked people that you are afraid of, or want to be politically correct, you asked different type questions and then you can really tell those that you feel you can pile on. I feel bad for you, but if it walks like a duck ..... Be fair, ask me, your not.

[stinsonwiu]

Lesley Stahl your interview with Lou Dobbs was insightful. The term you used was advocacy journalist and asked if he were misleading people by saying his program was a news show. You of all people show be captioned as a advocacy journalist, you are that by the nature of your question, you are not unbiased, you are disingenuous when asking questions, Your bias comes through and you should be exposed for what you are. Just review your tapes for the question you asked people that you are afraid of, or want to be politically correct, you asked different type questions and then you can really tell those that you feel you can pile on. I feel bad for you, but if it walks like a duck ..... Be fair, ask me, your not.

[stinsonwiu]

Lesley Stahl your interview with Lou Dobbs was insightful. The term you used was advocacy journalist and asked if he were misleading people by saying his program was a news show. You of all people show be captioned as a advocacy journalist, you are that by the nature of your question, you are not unbiased, you are disingenuous when asking questions, Your bias comes through and you should be exposed for what you are. Just review your tapes for the question you asked people that you are afraid of, or want to be politically correct, you asked different type questions and then you can really tell those that you feel you can pile on. I feel bad for you, but if it walks like a duck ..... Be fair, ask me, your not.

[stinsonwiu]

Lesley Stahl your interview with Lou Dobbs was insightful. The term you used was advocacy journalist and asked if he were misleading people by saying his program was a news show. You of all people show be captioned as a advocacy journalist, you are that by the nature of your question, you are not unbiased, you are disingenuous when asking questions, Your bias comes through and you should be exposed for what you are. Just review your tapes for the question you asked people that you are afraid of, or want to be politically correct, you asked different type questions and then you can really tell those that you feel you can pile on. I feel bad for you, but if it walks like a duck ..... Be fair, ask me, your not.

[chesteena]

I think Lou Dobbs is the smartest man on television. I was DELIGHTED to see a story with some information on his life away from CNN. He is a remarkable man and I NEVER miss his Daily News report; thank God, CBS has now given him a forum on their Early Morning show. Lou is one man/reporter who genuinely cares about this country and how it seems to be going in reverse. I agree with every point he makes, and he has the most diverse guests whom he allows to express their differing views without interruption, unlike some 'blow-hards' [o'reilly] who are dazzled by the sound of their own voices. Actually, his name shouldn't even be mentioned in the same sentence with o'reilly. Lou is a gentleman who eloquently expresses how much he cares for America and the people who have made it great. I didn't care for the way Leslie Stahl handled this interview, but bringing Lou Dobbs onto the Early Morning show is a GREAT idea.

[t30231]

Deuteronomy 26
12 "When you have finished paying all the tithe of your produce in the third year, which is the year of tithing, giving it to the Levite, the sojourner, the fatherless, and the widow, so that they may eat within your towns and be filled,


Your tithe is in the THIRD year, which is the year of tithing and it is to be given to the poor, needy. Because our churches are to support our poor. Not the Federal Government. These Federal programs are set up to protect the government not the people. The welfare system is a scam and this is why our country is being flooded by illegal immigration. It is for the federal monies being given to everyone. If the Churches had to support the poor and needy, you would see just how real the church is as far as what God refers to as a body of the church.

Federal monies should have nothing to do with the churches. We can't have both. We should not fund the churches with 503c monies and have Welfare too. It is one or the other. If you know how many people I have known who have gone to churches needing help and recieved nothing because they did not belong to thier church and how some churches do not even have a food program for any one but thier own members. You would change your mind on how much importance of that federal money had changed what giving from the church was actually meant to be.