Lou Dobbs Resigns from CNN

Longtime Anchor Known for Anti-Immigration Views; Wednesday’s Program His Last on Network

(AP)  Last updated at 11:08 p.m. EST

CNN's Lou Dobbs, a lightning rod for criticism following his transition from a business journalist to an opinionated anchor on such issues as illegal immigration, told viewers on Wednesday that he was quitting his nightly show to pursue new opportunities.

“This will be my last broadcast,” Dobbs said after giving the day's headlines. Dobbs, who hosts a daily radio show unrelated to CNN, said the network had allowed him to be released early from his contract.

Dobbs was a CNN original, signing on when the cable network started in 1980. For much of that time, he hosted a nightly business broadcast that became one of the most influential shows in the corporate world, and CNN's most profitable show for advertising revenue.

But Dobbs said his world view changed after the 2001 terrorist attacks and corporate corruption scandals, and he began to more freely express his opinions. He was particularly persistent in bringing the immigration issue to the fore, winning him both higher ratings and enemies. Latino groups had an active petition drive seeking his removal.

His presence became awkward for CNN, particularly as it began emphasizing reporting and non-opinion shows. He angered management this summer by pressing questions about President Barack Obama's birth site after CNN reporters determined there was no issue.

Dobbs said the decision came after months of discussion with CNN U.S. President Jon Klein. Dobbs said he wanted to concentrate on his role as a commentator and on advocacy journalism.

Klein hailed Dobbs' “appetite for big ideas, the megawatt smile and larger-than-life presence he brought to our newsroom.”

“With characteristic forthrightness, Lou has now decided to carry the banner of advocacy journalism elsewhere,” Klein said. “We respect his decision.”

Dobbs said he was proud of his role in helping to build the first cable news network. He said some leaders in media, politics and business “have been urging me to go beyond my role here at CNN and to engage in constructive problem-solving.”

Seated at an anchor desk in front of a screen with a fluttering American flag, Dobbs mentioned his interest in issues such as health care, jobs, immigration, climate change and the wars.

“Unfortunately, these issues are now defined in the public arena by partisanship and ideology rather than rigorous empirical thought and forthright analysis and discussion,” he said. “I will be working diligently to change that as best I can.”

His resignation was hailed by activists who were seeking his ouster.

“Our contention all along was that Lou Dobbs — who has a long history of spreading lies and conspiracy theories about immigrants and Latinos — does not belong on the most trusted name in news,” said Roberto Lovato, co-founder of Presente.org. “We are thrilled that Dobbs no longer has the legitimate platform from which to incite fear and hate.”

Tom Saenz, president of the Mexican American Legal Defense and Educational Fund, the leading Latino legal organization, said, “The Latino community can and should celebrate that Lou Dobbs is no longer on CNN.”

U.S. Sen. Robert Menendez, a Democrat from Dobbs' home state of New Jersey and the Senate's only Hispanic member, called it “addition by subtraction” for CNN.

Dobbs did not immediately return telephone and e-mail messages to talk about his critics.

Although he joined CNN in 1980, Dobbs left the network for two years in 1999, after angrily complaining on the air about a decision by then-CNN President Rick Kaplan to switch away from his show to a live news event. An Internet venture failed and when Kaplan left CNN, Dobbs returned.

Dobbs' ratings had cooled from the height of the immigration discussion. But his 879,000 viewers on Tuesday still eclipsed MSNBC's Chris Matthews (Fox News Channel's Shepard Smith had more than double the audience) and even beat Campbell Brown's CNN show, which followed Dobbs at 8 p.m. ET in prime-time, according to the Nielsen Co.

A decision on who will replace Dobbs is expected to be announced Thursday.

[youcancallmeroy]

It's great to see Lou get out of CNN, what a joke they are becoming. Why do you think our worthless media and press do nothing but vomit worthless party crap all day long? Why do you think that they never talk about so many people giving up on both corrupt parties and registering Independent? I will tell you why. The media is owned by the Big Banks and Wall Street, just like they own you and me. How do you think the Big Banks could possibly gamble away hundreds of billions and then get "our" government to say they are too big to fail and give them billions of dollars with no recourse for the taxpayer? I will tell you why. Because the Big Banks own the Federal Reserve, who own most of our Congress, who control the lobbyists, who control the laws, who control your credit cards and your jobs. So the next time you get mad at these news stories and want to email CNN or NBC or Fox or CBS, take a deep breath and realize that you comments are worthless. The only contact that will ever make a difference is a cussing phone call to your Representative or Senator to tell them that the gravy train is almost over for them. Vote every incumbent out on his rear-end.

[veteran71]

Sadly, in his final days at CNN, Lou had begun smelling kind of musty, like only senile old white guys can, (Cheney Syndrome I think they call it), forcing those officed nearby to resort to spraying gallons of Fabreez in his general direction .......in his defense, his brain had become badly deformed, about the size and consistancy of a small raisin, and co-workers should just be greatful he didn't take a dump in the hallway.......poor old fuddy-dud.....

[Empire-George]

by lovenpeace1 November 12, 2009 2:36 PM EST

Just adjust the Quota numbers and all the laws are Ok.
-----------
Step back for a moment, pretend you are NOT of hispanic heritage.....ask yourself...why would we want MORE immigrants from those countries ? do they bring unique skills that we don't have already ??.....is there a shortage of doctors or scientists, that they would fill ?......why would we as a country WANT more unskilled poor immigrants ? They already are pushing our systems to the breaking point.....we need better skilled immigrants, not less skilled, if we are to reverse the downward trends of academics.

Can you put on a different point of view and answer that honestly ? or does your Hispanic bias render you incapable of answering honestly ?

[Empire-George]

by lovenpeace1 November 12, 2009 2:42 PM EST

The Quota prevents them from moving up the ladder. Why work harder?
_________

The quota is only of concern for those who haven't entered the country, so how does this affect their movement up the ladder once here ? working hard can only bring them success, correct ?

[laubuchon]

I think you guys are jealous because Fox News is the No. 1 media station on cable.

The reason I listen to Fox News vs. the other cable media stations is because they give you both sides, especially "The O'Reilly Factor". They give you a chance to give your opinion on anything said.

[laubuchon]

I think you guys are jealous because Fox News is the No. 1 media station on cable.

The reason I listen to Fox News vs. the other cable media stations is because they give you both sides, especially "The O'Reilly Factor". They give you a chance to give your opinion on anything said.

[lovenpeace1]

Amigo Joe,

I have to go. I should be back in about 2.5 hours.

[lovenpeace1]

Folks,

It very funny how some Americans Scream about Undocumented Aliens in this country taking Jobs we do not want.

However, these same Americans are mute about American Corporations OutSourcing and InSourcing (H1B and L1 visa) good professional jobs we do want and need.

I do not know whether to call them Racists or Hypocrits?

[Empire-George]

by lovenpeace1 November 12, 2009 2:32 PM EST

It's just us, there are no folks here....I agree, outsourcing H1B, like what happened to you, is just more illegal immigration and job stealing, but under some legal cover....indians (india) coming here and taking jobs, is no different then illegal hispanics taking jobs from Americans.

This taking jobs we don't want nonsense when out the door years ago....I know of carpenters, painters, laborers, etc. who have all had their jobs taken by illegal immigrants....they now have moved way up the ladder and washing dishes, is not what's going on.

Unemployment is at 10% now

[Overruled1]

Most of our good paying middle class jobs have disapeared, while some say we are in recession, I invite you to travel the country and see with your own eyes, the devestation this "recession" has caused.
Go on, travel to states like Michigan, Ohio, and Illonois....They have been struggling since the Reagon administration.
Where did they go? Poof they landed in China with some in Mexico. It's not that the people who worked in the factories here were unproductive, but instead the corporations they work for wanted increase of profits no matter it takes. Corporations in this country have worked to destroy our middle class, while bringing in foreign labor or outsourcing our middle class work.
As for H1B visas, what a setup, for years where I work, the employees have asked for training which was refused by management, but at the same time the management complained that the staff they have wasn't qualified.
Instead of training the loyal personnel to do the job better, they use the excuse to get some cheap help.
Keep in mind some countries they do business with has lots of willing smart people desperate enought to do our work for pennies on the dollar.
India for example has more honor students than America has students in school.
Therefore we must close the borders now since this is the case.

[lovenpeace1]

Amigo Joe,

This is what is coming in the very near future.....

-Surf to http://www.joke-portal.com/d_jokes.htm
-Click the 'Day Laborers' link in the middle of your screen.

:-))

[Empire-George]

by lovenpeace1 November 12, 2009 2:22 PM EST

I know what you are getting at, since you have been teasing me for year(s) now about our impending doom.....but I have news for you, unless the Hispanics become more educated, learn Spanish and English, because many are actually Illiterate in Spanish, as well....gain some skills, and become true Americans, by celebrating Quatro-De-Julio, instead of Cinco-De-Mayo, then they will remain the minority, despite their numbers which may/may not surpass other races, blacks, whites, etc.

Do you agree ? or do you think numbers alone will do it, flood enough over the border and multiply to simply bring their country here and set up camp....instead of becoming Americans.

[Empire-George]

by lovenpeace1 November 12, 2009 2:12 PM EST

I am also very happy that Anti-Immigrant Celebrities have no other place to go but Fox News! Keep them all there please.
_______________

Can you please stop confusing the words "Illegal immigration" and "Immigration"......Dobbs has never been against immigration....he is anti-illegal immigration and you continuing to lie or mis-represent his positions is intellectually dishonest.