Lou Dobbs quits CNN

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In a surprise move, Lou Dobbs announced Wednesday night on his CNN show that it would be his last show. Dobbs said he has wanted to expand his role beyond what he has been doing on the cable network, but he has not yet decided what path to pursue.


“This will be my last broadcast here on CNN,” Dobbs said on the air, noting that he was the last anchor remaining from nearly 30 years ago when the first all-news network had its launch. Other than a brief departure in 1999 and 2000 to found Space.com, Dobbs has been on CNN since its 1980 launch.

“I’m grateful for the many opportunities that CNN has given me over these many years and I’ve tried to reciprocate with a full measure of my ability and my energy. 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 of 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 a better understanding of the great issues of our day – and to continue to do so in the most honest and direct language possible,” Dobbs told viewers.

“I’ve talked extensively with Jonathan Klein. Jon’s the President of CNN. And as a result of those talks, Jon and I have agreed to a release from my contract that will enable me to pursue new opportunities. At this point I’m considering a number of options and directions and I assure you I will let you know when I set my course,” Dobbs said.

“I truly believe that the major issues of our time include the growth of our middle class, the creation of more jobs, healthcare, immigration policy, the environment, climate change and our military involvement, of course, in Afghanistan and Iraq. But each of those issues is, in my opinion, informed by our capacity to demonstrate strong resilience of our now weakened capitalist economy and demonstrate the political will to overcome the lack of true representation in Washington, DC. 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 in 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 said.

While Dobbs is ending his TV show, United Stations Radio Networks assures us that there is no change with his radio broadcasts. Dobbs appears there on a daily show, a weekend “best of” show and daily financial reports.

RBR-TVBR observation: Dobbs has certainly not discouraged speculation in the past that he might pursue elective office. Would he, though, fit into either the Republican or Democratic Party?