Lou Dobbs Leaves CNN

Longtime CNN anchor Lou Dobbs resigned last night, telling the audience, "Over the past six months it’s 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 the great understanding of the issues of our day. And to continue to do so in the most honest and direct language possible."

You can read his full remarks here—and see video after the jump—but in his surprise announcement, he also said:

I truly believe that the major issues of our time include the growth of our middle class, the creation of more jobs, health care, immigration policy, the environment, climate change, and our military involvement, of course, in Afghanistan and Iraq... 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.

Unfortunately, these issues are now defined in the public arena by partisanship and ideology rather than by rigorous, empirical thought and forthright analysis and discussion. I’ll be working diligently to change that as best i can. And as for the important work of restoring inspiration to our great free society and our market economy, I will strive as well to be a leader in that national conversation.

Dobbs' immigration views—specifically anti-illegal immigration views—have, as Media Decoder puts it, "made him a TV lightning rod." Roberto Lovato, co-founder of Latino advocacy group Presente.org, which lobbied for Dobbs' firing, told Media Decoder, "Our contention all along was that Lou Dobbs — who has a long record of spreading lies and conspiracy theories about immigrants and Latinos — does not belong on the ‘most trusted name in news.' We are thrilled that Dobbs no longer has this legitimate platform from which to incite fear and hate."

CNN head Jonathan Klein noted how they would "miss his appetite for big ideas, the megawatt smile and larger-than-life presence he brought to our newsroom... For decades, Lou fearlessly and tirelessly pursued some of the most important and complex stories of our time, often well ahead of the pack," adding, "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."

Contact the author of this article or email tips@gothamist.com with further questions, comments or tips.

By Jen Chung in News on November 12, 2009 12:34 AM

Comments [rss]

sid

Is he going to be next rush limbaugh...I guess? Time for Rush to pack up.

Sid

sid

I am so happy that he left. He is so anti-immigrant. Lots of this country's problem stemming from greedy wall st. not illegal immigrants.

Sid

Tax credit

K.C.

The Name of the Rosacea: or, The Lou Dobbs Story

Here's to that pundit named Lou!

That Coulter he'd sure like the screw.

"You say she's a tranny? —

But I lust for her fanny!

At least she loathes Mexicans, too."

Leon Freilich

OUTSIDERISM

If you're joining the right-wing cable gang,

Watch out for a shower of rocks, Lou--

Expect to be treated like an immigrant

At xenophobic Fox, Lou.

jaycjay

The real reason he had to leave CNN:

http://www.theonion.com/content/news/u_s_deports_lou_dobbs

felixthecat2

lol

NannyState

Allegedly he was told by his CNN superiors to be "more objective" -like all their other anchors that drool over Obama. Either way, he's off to make millions in radio convincing paranoid teabaggers that mexican smuggling tunnels come up right under where they park their motorhome.

zodak

│lou dobbs + cnn│ ≠ nyc

jaycjay

Irrelevant. This story is | cnn - lou dobbs |

pinball29

Good riddance! He can now join the obese drug addict Limbaugh and the alcoholic Beck in their rants w/out having to be concerned about journalistic objectivity or accuracy. The wind(bags) of change are indeed blowing.

felixthecat2

Update CNN will replace Lou Dobbs with an illegal Mexican. Lou Dobbs' head explodes.

felixthecat2

Adios, pendejo!

grifforama

Thank fuck for that.

captainblackout

Maybe he is going to found the blow hard douche bag party.

Mordicai

I hope he can save us from the huddled masses yearning to be free who keep trying to invade this country like they were invited or something.

Or wait, no, different joke.

Uh...Lou Dobbs really has done a lot of good for immigration. Families from Europe who moved here within the last few generations really feel a lot more entitled & enfranchised. He's done a lot of good for the White Race.

jza1218

Or maybe those huddled masses can apply to be legal citizens instead. Nobody here is stopping them from doing so.

Mordicai

Immigration is a funny topic, because when you discuss it, you are almost never talking about actual immigration-- you are usually talking about race. Lou Dobbs capitalized on it-- he wasn't talking about immigration, he was race baiting.