Lou Dobbs Quits CNN
[Guest post by DRJ]
Lou Dobbs has quit CNN effective immediately:
“Sitting before an image of an American flag on his television set, [Dobbs] said ’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.’
‘I’m considering a number of options and directions,’ Mr. Dobbs added.”
I’m guessing Dobbs’ position on immigration led to his departure. The article speculates he may be headed to Fox News or Fox Business, which may explain why CNN’s President added this little dig:
“Jonathan Klein, the president of CNN/U.S. said in a statement that “Lou has now decided to carry the banner of advocacy journalism elsewhere.”
CNN will announce Dobbs’ replacement on Thursday.
UPDATE: Glenn Reynolds wonders if Dobbs plans to “go Perot” or run in the Democratic primary.
– DRJ
A decades long career in cable news generally and CNN specifically isn’t indicative of good character I don’t think.
Comment by happyfeet — 11/11/2009 @ 11:10 pm
Dobbs reportedly met with Roger Ailes about a month or two ago. First Imus, now Dobbs. Ugh.
Comment by Ed from SFV — 11/11/2009 @ 11:11 pm
Tell us about Tailwind again, Klein.
Comment by SPQR — 11/11/2009 @ 11:12 pm
Dobbs is going to Univision, to host Sabado Gigante.
Comment by Official Internet Data Office — 11/11/2009 @ 11:45 pm
I gotta say Lou Dobbs’ departure from CNN is doubleplusungood … for CNN. Their ratings are in the tank already, and a (sorta) household name is leaving them? As in “right now”? Oops.
And that dig? Can there be any reading other than CNN just announced it was in the tank for liberals and Obama? I’m sure the libs will come up with some grotesque twisting of the facts in evidence.
Nothing like a Public Defender providing a free service and delivering the value of the cost while going up against top-flight prosecutors.
Comment by John Hitchcock — 11/12/2009 @ 12:22 am
from the CNN(extremely abridged) dictionary:
advocacy journalism – noun – the practice of reporting the truth, regardless of whether or not it is what the liberal elites that own your media outlet want to hear.
Comment by Icy Texan — 11/12/2009 @ 1:37 am
“I’m guessing Dobbs’ position on immigration…”
Can’t anyone say ILLEGAL Immigration?
Comment by Paul Albers — 11/12/2009 @ 3:14 am
The best part of this is not what it will or won’t do for Dobbs or Fox, but what it will do to CNN. His viewers are passionate, and they will take it as the slap in the face that it is. So, net loss here, I think, and a deserved one at that.
Comment by Matador — 11/12/2009 @ 4:42 am
Perhaps the elite media will begin to look in the mirror and see that they are part of the problem. CNN was the news network. Remember Iraq and the first SCUD missiles? CNN was the news – 24/7. Now even the CNN Headline news network is biased. Oh how the mighty have fallen.
Comment by Corwin — 11/12/2009 @ 5:09 am
I seem to remember Wolf Blitzer screaming like a little girl and scrambling off-camera during a live broadcast, yammering that he could ‘feel the gas’ and that his eyes were burning or something. Turned out to be a waft of propellant oxidation byproducts or something from the nearby antimissile or flare batteries…
Is that the CNN you think was once “the” news network??
Comment by rtrski — 11/12/2009 @ 6:27 am
CNN Lou Dobbs….
I think the Beckanization of the Fox evening lineup is complete – last thing we need is two out of control – playing lossy goosey with the facts – screamers in the evenings
Americans will need Govt deafness insurance
Comment by EricPWJohnson — 11/12/2009 @ 6:33 am
…or was that Charles Jaco? Long time ago. Me memory not so good.
Comment by rtrski — 11/12/2009 @ 6:34 am
I doubt he’s going “Perot”, at least right away. But he could easily go “Howard Beale.”
I mean, if we all got a chance to scream simultaneously “I’m mad as Hell, and I’m not going to take it anymore!”, might we not?
Comment by Kevin Murphy — 11/12/2009 @ 6:35 am
Lou Who?
Comment by The Emperor — 11/12/2009 @ 6:36 am
I’ll guess he goes to Fox Business. Obama is on TV now lying about the economy so another voice on business, which is where he began, would be good.
Comment by Mike K — 11/12/2009 @ 6:46 am
Dobbs positions are not exactly Republican, but closer to Buchananite “America First!” position. Not only does he not care much for immigration (illegal especially but not entirely), but he has strong protectionist ideas as well. The intersection of paleo-conservative and paleo-liberal.
I think that he fits in with Fox about as poorly as he did with CNN. But he could be a dandy talk radio host….
Comment by Kevin Murphy — 11/12/2009 @ 6:48 am
Fox is different than CNN, FOX expects ratings and results
Something Lou hasnt ever achieved except being about the only business anchor.
Comment by EricPWJohnson — 11/12/2009 @ 6:49 am
We already have Jim Cramer at CNBC, seriously lose the Latte, or whatever he’s on, redbull.
Are you determined to be wrong on every subject.
Comment by bishop — 11/12/2009 @ 6:51 am
Once upon a time, CNN was serious about the news. Maybe I was younger and more doe-eyed then. But I respected them when they covered news. And CNN Headline News just covered news.
A long time has passed.
Comment by Corwin — 11/12/2009 @ 8:12 am
#4 LOL.
Comment by HeavenSent — 11/12/2009 @ 8:15 am
The Olbermanicanization of NBC, CNBC and MSNBC already happened earlier this year.
Comment by HeavenSent — 11/12/2009 @ 8:20 am
Ah , Sabado Gigante. My favorite show.If you’re a guy, you don’t even have to understand Spanish. Just turn down the sound and behold the..er..personalities.
Comment by Dr Carlo Lombardi — 11/12/2009 @ 8:26 am
With Lou leaving now there’s no reason to watch CNN.
Comment by sam — 11/12/2009 @ 9:11 am
CNN was the news network. Remember Iraq and the first SCUD missiles?
Yeah, and I also remember when “Baghdad Pete” Arnett was filling breathless reports from Iraq, but one little salient fact was never revealed to their viewership. CNN was on the take from Saddam Hussein, and all of the reporting he did was ruthless propaganda in the service of a bloodthirsty tyrant.
Is that what you call a “news network?” More like Pravda, but without the transparency.
Comment by Dmac — 11/12/2009 @ 9:40 am
Prediction: Dobbs replaces Shep at the anchor desk.
Comment by AD - RtR/OS! — 11/12/2009 @ 11:42 am
Is that Dobs replaces Shep on the anchor desk or places him on the anchor desk?
I am sure Shep would dig that action.
Comment by HeavenSent — 11/12/2009 @ 11:54 am
HeavenSent – is that as in Heu, nautis ! ?
Comment by Alasdair — 11/12/2009 @ 6:56 pm