Lou Dobbs resigns from CNN
L.A. Times, November 11, 2009
CNN host Lou Dobbs resigned from the network today, saying that he has been urged by political and business leaders to leave his television platform to “engage in constructive problem-solving” on national issues. He said today's show was his last.
“Over the past six months, it’s become increasingly clear that strong winds of change have begun buffetting this country and affecting all of us,” Dobbs said, adding that he’s considering pursuing a number of options.
“As for the important work of restoring inspiration to our great free society and our market economy, I will strive to be a leader in that national conversation,” he said.
Dobbs’ break with CNN comes after he worked at the network for more than a quarter century, starting with its inception in 1980, often clashing with network executives in the process. While he originally led the network’s business coverage, in recent years Dobbs developed a populist persona that has increasingly been out of step with the network’s emphasis on neutral reporting. He has railed about the country’s immigration policy and used his show to raise questions about the validity of President Obama’s birth certificate.
Several months ago, CNN/U.S. President Jon Klein discussed with Dobbs tamping down the opinion on his show, something he agreed to do. But his presence on CNN continued to be a source of friction within the network. Liberal groups have been calling for CNN to let him go and on Wednesday celebrated his resignation.
“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,’ ” said Roberto Lovato, co-founder of Presente.org, a national online advocacy organization coordinating BastaDobbs.com, a Latino-led coalition. “We are thrilled that Dobbs no longer has this legitimate platform from which to incite fear and hate.”
[Updated]: CNN President Jon Klein issued the following statement this evening: "Lou Dobbs is a valued founding member of the CNN family. For decades, Lou fearlessly and tirlessly pursued some of the most important and complex stories of our time, often well ahead of the pack. 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 charactertistic forthrightness, Lou has now decided to carry the banner of advocacy journalism elsewhere. We respect his decision and wish him, Debi, and his family the very best."
— Matea Gold
I'm confused. how and what did Latinos win here? do you really think that this is going to stop Lou Dobbs? I do not, not to metion the fact that there are others who can and will continue with these types of antics. Are we going to get rid of everyone? no, but I guess 1 after another will somehow happen unit we are happy. whatever that requires is beyond me.
ReplyDeleteMore likely it was the birth certificate talk that caused him to be in the dog house.
ReplyDeleteIt wasn't that Dobbs had an opinion, he was just so nasty and bitter about it.
ReplyDeleteOkay, I get what you are saying... now either be constructive or get off the stage. He couldn't do the former, so he did the latter.
It's just a signal that his harsh opinions were being rejected by more and more people. Particularly at CNN, who is very left-leaning on every issue.