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It's Official: Lou Dobbs Is Leaving CNN -- Effective Immediately

Ben Frumin | November 11, 2009, 7:20PM

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It's official: Lou Dobbs is out at CNN. The anti-immigration anchor announced on the air just a few minutes into tonight's show that this would be his last broadcast for the cable network.

Tonight I want to turn to a personal note, if I may, and address a matter that has raised some curiosity. This will be my last broadcast here on CNN, where I've worked for most of the past 30 years and where I have many friends and colleagues whom I admire deeply and respect greatly. I'm the last of the original anchors here on CNN and I'm proud to have had the privilege of helping to build the world's first news network. I'm grateful for the many opportunities that CNN has given me over these many years. I've tried to reciprocate with the 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 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 a better understanding of the great issues of our day.

Dobbs said he couldn't do that at CNN -- and had agreed with the network on a release from his contract, which wasn't set to expire until the end of 2011, "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 then listed a number of issues that were important to him -- immigration, the economy, climate change, America's wars -- and assured viewers that he will strive "to be a leader in that national conversation."

There has been speculation for weeks that Dobbs might leave CNN -- perhaps for the Fox Business Network.

Last month, Dobbs made the news when he blamed "ethnocentric interest groups" for a gunshot fired outside his New Jersey home. As we reported, it turns out that shot may have been little more than a hunter's errant bullet.

CNN also released a brief statement tonight: "Longtime CNN anchor Lou Dobbs told viewers Wednesday night that he is leaving the network."

Late Update: Here's the video.

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78 comments

Recommend Recommend (1)

November 11, 2009 7:27 PM

Don't let the door hit you, Lou.

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November 11, 2009 8:03 PM in reply to margaret

vaya con dios!

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November 11, 2009 11:09 PM in reply to EH

ROTFLMAO

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November 11, 2009 7:33 PM

I'll bet my next social security check that he winds up on Faux News, not the business division.

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November 11, 2009 11:00 PM in reply to EdtheUmp

Probably:

". . . some . . . have been urging me to . . . engage in constructive problem solving, as well as to contribute positively . . . ."

Which he says he can't do. A shoe-in for FOX.

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November 11, 2009 7:33 PM

So the man who wanted all Mexican immigrants (legal or otherwise) shipped out of the country has been sent packing. Niiiiice!

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LonewackoDotCom3

November 11, 2009 8:14 PM in reply to traitorjoe

That statement is completely false. Of course, that someone would make such a statement shouldn't be much of a surprise. It used to be that Dems supported U.S. workers, now they support lowering wages for U.S. workers in order to obtain power.

P.S. Here's a list of my Lou Dobbs coverage including dozens of examples of others lying and misleading about him (including BHO). Click each link for the full post.

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November 11, 2009 8:19 PM in reply to LonewackoDotCom3

Assuming I don't have the time to read all hundred of your posts, please correct the popular assumptions about Dobbs here on TPM. I've listened to him for years and his anti-immigrant sentiment seems to be obvious.

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November 11, 2009 9:02 PM in reply to traitorjoe

You know, I remember Dobbs from some years ago, too, and even tho I seldom agreed with him, I respected his...well, gravitas and there was some diversity in his topics. Did you happen to notice that a couple years ago he was absent for a long time and, when he returned, he looked different? My perception was that he exhibited signs of having a stroke...one side of his face wasn't working well. At that point, his usual conservative rhetoric turned fanatical, monomaniacal, angry. I still wonder if he had a stroke. Am I the only one who noticed this?

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November 11, 2009 10:10 PM in reply to Jason

I didn't see the physical side, but I, too, was surprised at the nasty turn he had taken as I, too, used to respect him as an anchor.

The difference, though, may be that he got his own show where he could be a "pundit" and had a platform for what always were his anti-immigrant beliefs. (Brown, Spanish-speaking immigrants, that is. Never heard him say much about those stealth Canadian immigrants.)

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November 11, 2009 11:09 PM in reply to Cal Gal

Or the illegals from such as Ireland, or Russia, or any number of other countries.

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M. Digby IV

November 12, 2009 1:43 AM in reply to Jason

One thing no one mentions is that Dobbs left CNN back in the 1990's to run a dot.com start up Space.com. After he got back from that failure, he was no longer the CEO ass kissing biz "journalist" anymore. I think something happened to him during those space.com years?

I think CNN just couldn't take the birther bull stuff. Just too crazy. But leaving an anchor job to go to a dot com start up is not something Walter Cronkite would do either. It was pure greed. Dobbs is just LOCO!

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November 11, 2009 8:21 PM in reply to LonewackoDotCom3

What will be hard to find is the clear link, where his rhetoric had contributed to the episodes of undue violence in the recent years against undocumented or Hispanic workers.

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November 11, 2009 8:30 PM in reply to kash79

But there's a link between Dobbs and the Birthers. He strongly supported the "born in Kenya" story for weeks after it was debunked.

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November 11, 2009 8:39 PM in reply to traitorjoe

What I mean to say was that just coz there is no clear link doesn't mean his rhetoric hadn't contributed to the episodes of undue violence against undocumented and Hispanic workers. I was responding the "volune" of links presented by the commenter upstairs.

Of course, Lou Dobbs rabid fascination with the birther movement was his ultimate downfall. It was a perfect illustration of far-end byproducts of rhetoric. Then there were online signing campaign in full mode once he joined the birther chorus

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November 12, 2009 10:00 AM in reply to kash79

Clear Link: http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/06/16/AR2009061603518.html

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November 11, 2009 11:06 PM in reply to LonewackoDotCom3

It used to be that Dems supported U.S. workers, now they support lowering wages for U.S. workers in order to obtain power.
_____

The attacks on the minimum wage have ALWAYS, WITHOUT EXCEPTION, come from the REPUBLICANS, and the far-right pro-corporate sector.

It is also the pro-corporate sector that maintains the status quo: corporations hiring illegal and undocumented aliens in order to subvert and circumvent the minimum wage laws.

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November 11, 2009 7:35 PM

Interestingly, if you read down the left margin of Dobbs' resignation letter, the letters spell out "F-O-X-Y-O-U."

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November 11, 2009 10:11 PM in reply to CN

LOL

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Texas Aggie

November 11, 2009 7:43 PM

Is he developing cancer on his face, lower right? It seems to be badly swollen.

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November 11, 2009 7:50 PM in reply to Texas Aggie

God bless him, he was the cancer on the face of America.

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November 11, 2009 9:08 PM in reply to Texas Aggie

Maybe alcoholism has taken its toll? He does slur his words now and then. If so, could explain in part how he's become such a sanctimonious, hateful looney tune.

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November 11, 2009 9:28 PM in reply to Texas Aggie

See my comment upthread. I wondered a couple years ago if he had a stroke; one side of his face looked paralyzed and his rhetoric changed about that time.

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November 11, 2009 10:17 PM in reply to Jason

It's leprosy, which he undoubtedly caught from one of those three million gazillion illegal Mexicans who brought it to this country. Before they invented swine flu.

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November 11, 2009 7:49 PM

No one deserves Lou more than Fox. And no one deserves Fox. He is milk to their water. Please join the largest heat-orgy in America.

Couldn't have happened to a bigger pig. I'm beginning to like CNN a little already.

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arugulachomper

November 11, 2009 7:55 PM in reply to kash79

Don't fool yourself. Their brand of "journalism" and "due diligence" will still be crappish at best - they just won't have this major embarrassment to contend with anymore.

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November 11, 2009 8:03 PM in reply to arugulachomper

I know, watching Blitzer is like pushing needles in my eyes and more importantly pouring acid in my ears. He is sufficient enough reason not to watch it. And then there is repressed homosexual John King, I can't stand him either and it has nothing to do with him being repressed homosexual. And ofcourse, Cooper...and...

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November 11, 2009 10:13 PM in reply to kash79

And then there's Campbell Brown, married to Bush mouthpiece Dan Senor.

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November 11, 2009 10:53 PM in reply to Cal Gal

I can't stand that woman either. She thinks (erroneously) she is so smart it's painful.

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November 12, 2009 12:47 AM in reply to geofu54

I think smart confident women are incredibly hot

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November 12, 2009 10:39 AM in reply to kash79

But they still have Larry King! He expired his "sell by" date during the last millenium!

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RuperttheBear

November 11, 2009 7:55 PM

First RiceHadley, now this.

IT'S THE APOCALYPSE MY FRIENDS.

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November 11, 2009 8:00 PM

When Lou Dobbs says "strong winds of change have begun buffeting this country" he's obviously not referring to the GOP being deposed from the seats of power in 2006 and 2008. He's talking about the Tea Party movement, which means he's probably considering making a run as a Neolibertarian for national office of some kind.

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November 11, 2009 8:26 PM in reply to superking

omg! that would be such a trip, if lou dobbs tries to challenge someone in 2010.

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Schmed- ley

November 11, 2009 9:20 PM in reply to superking

When Lou Dobbs says "strong winds of change have begun buffeting this country" he's obviously not referring to the GOP

I thought he was referring to his journalistic flatulence....

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November 11, 2009 11:14 PM in reply to Schmed- ley

He was probably referring to the election of an insufficiently white President.

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November 11, 2009 10:14 PM in reply to superking

I'm thinking he's going to work for Armey's outfit. What is it? Freedom Now or something like that?

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November 11, 2009 11:17 PM in reply to Cal Gal

Freedom for Me But Not for Thee

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November 11, 2009 8:01 PM

Lou's statement:
"Over the past six months, it has 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 ..."

They want you to lead us, Oh Great Lou. Please give us the benefit of your genius.

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November 11, 2009 8:06 PM in reply to traitorjoe

That was by impression as well. May be he want to run for a political office. I suggest he will find the friendliest crowd may be in Cayman Islands.

Even Southerners will not vote for him despite all his xenophobia coz at the end of the day he can read and speak in long sentences.

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November 11, 2009 8:15 PM in reply to kash79

To be expected from an egotist like Dobbs, he can't accept the fact that his ratings tanked, he became irrelevant and the strong winds were just a flutter of indifference.

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November 11, 2009 11:19 PM in reply to traitorjoe

Strong winds that blew him off his throne.

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November 11, 2009 8:09 PM

Lou was actually a very good anchor of business news 20 years ago. It's too bad that he lost his bearings.

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November 11, 2009 11:20 PM in reply to Rich in NJ

Those bearings are round. The correct word is marbles.

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mistersnrub

November 11, 2009 8:18 PM

CNN should try to poach Shep Smith to replace him.

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November 11, 2009 8:28 PM in reply to mistersnrub

Half of the Fox Crowd, have no real "right wing" convictions. They would turn into blazing liberals if say MSNBC would offer them a prime time show with heavier perks.

They are hypocrites.

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November 12, 2009 9:20 AM in reply to mistersnrub

I like that idea. Shep Smith is the only personality from Faux that I would rescue from a sinking ship!

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November 11, 2009 8:41 PM

maybe lou could team up for a show with geraldo.

they could call it: “i love lou, see?”

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November 12, 2009 8:20 AM in reply to aarrgghhv2

I was wondering if anyone else here knew of Geraldo's hatred of Lou. They could participate in one-a-week mud wrestling.

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November 11, 2009 8:42 PM

Dobbs is a hateful cretin. His leaving CNN elevates CNN and at this point they need to elevated.

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lyleleander

November 11, 2009 8:44 PM

"At this point, I'm considering a number of options and directions"

Yeah... many directions, all right. Should I go towards the 7, 8, or 9 o'clock slot on Fox's primetime lineup.

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November 11, 2009 11:23 PM in reply to lyleleander

Options? Should I leave or get thrown out?

Directions? Shall I exit by the side door or the back door?

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November 11, 2009 8:47 PM

His farewell speech sounds like Sarah Palins.

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November 11, 2009 9:09 PM in reply to cinesimon

That's what I was thinking. Another opportunistic Quitter, Palinized and persecuted.

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November 11, 2009 9:30 PM in reply to cinesimon

It's that Messianic complex...fanatics all think alike.

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November 11, 2009 10:17 PM in reply to cinesimon

Give him credit for not saying he was leaving to spend more time with this family. ;-)

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November 11, 2009 8:56 PM

I'm just glad that I can start watching CNN again. I still keep up with my fav's online, but when his rhetoric got out of hand, and his obsession more and more nauseating to listen to, I made a personal choice to not watch CNN until they dumped him.

I'm especially happy it happened so quickly. I was sure that he was going to stick around until his contract expired.

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November 11, 2009 9:09 PM

I had a similar experience: got home from work, turned on the news and there was Dobb's hostile face ranting about immigrants or some other conspiracy. In addition to being offensive, it was redundant and boring. So, I'd default to MSNBC and, eventually, my negative feelings about Dobbs extended to the whole CNN lineup. Wonder how many viewers they lost because of Dobbs?

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November 11, 2009 10:01 PM

Hallelujah. Now that he's gone off to dingdong land, can we now work on Joey Scarborough. Please.

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November 11, 2009 10:06 PM

Headline on this story at the WaPo site

he wants "to go beyond the role" of a television journalist

I have some news for Mr. Dobbs. You would have first had to reach the level of television journalist before you could go beyond it.

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November 11, 2009 10:06 PM

Goin' home. (To Faux News)

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November 11, 2009 10:10 PM

Scarborough is a little tougher, requires more finesse to "work on". He hedges his bets and, to the average (that is to say uninformed) viewer he probably seems reasonable. Dobbs is a firebreathing fanatic...his rhetoric is ugly and unpalatable. Dobbs is not the guy you want to listen to when you just got home from work, got a beer, changed into some sweats, and turn on the t.v. to catch up on the day's news. I'd vote for Gregory as the next target.

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November 11, 2009 10:19 PM in reply to Jason

Me, too! Another formerly good REPORTER turn icehole by being given a pundit seat. Tim Russert must be rolling over in his grave. Haven't watched Press the Meat in months and I'm enjoying Sunday morning so much more.

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November 11, 2009 10:15 PM

I guess the folks over at CNN grew weary of the stench of his unsubstantiated hyperbole. Of course, the loonies at FOX News have become desensitized to the odor...

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Schmed- ley

November 11, 2009 10:21 PM

Now, if only he would take Dolf Blitzen with him....

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Bussta Brown

November 11, 2009 10:35 PM

Good Riddance!

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NationalProtrusion

November 11, 2009 10:50 PM

Breaking News!! Illegal Immigrant Will Take Over as Host of ‘Lou Dobbs Tonight’

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November 11, 2009 11:08 PM

The FAT fugger is going to run for president?!?!?!? It will be nice to see him debate President Obama. I hope they have a Hispanic moderator.

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November 12, 2009 12:05 AM

Affirmative action comes through. The letter writing & boycotts got it done. The Lou-ser bites the dust. I vote David Gregory next quickly followed by Morning Hoe.

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NationalProtrusion

November 12, 2009 12:10 AM in reply to Leftflank

Yeah, David Gregory really has to go.

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November 12, 2009 12:31 AM

Lou Dobbs is a smug xenophobe who's time went years ago.....

He won't be missed.....

for examples of his breathtaking "journalism" read the link

http://tuftsroundtable.org/blog/21st-century-sagas/582-dobbs-says-bye-america-says-good-riddance

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November 12, 2009 1:30 AM

I rather see Matt Lauer (Today) go. I'm sick of GOP-TP's being repeated first thing in the morning.

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November 12, 2009 1:30 AM

"Anti-immigration"? I can't believe that someone wouldn't want people to legally enter this country. Out with this bum. All of our ancestors came here legally, including his, so why stop people from coming here legally?

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Leftist Pinko

November 12, 2009 8:00 AM

Fox Business, here he comes... "Mr. Independent" is now going 'fair & balanced'... oh gawd.

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Winston Smith

November 12, 2009 8:19 AM

I think he'd make a great host of Family Feud.

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November 12, 2009 8:22 AM

CNN needs to dump the overblown ego of Wolf Blitzer. As soon as possible. He is not watchable. And, Campbell Brown.

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Nancy Irving

November 12, 2009 9:20 AM

". . . some . . . have been urging me to . . . engage in constructive problem solving, as well as to contribute positively . . . ."

Sounds to me like he's considering a run for public office.

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November 12, 2009 11:16 AM

Makes no sense. You're on the air for nearly 30 years with these people and you walk out the door with no notice?

I don't think so. There's more to come. If "other options" was the real deal, he'd (a) tell us he's leaving in (let's say) two months; when he will (b) do whatever he decided he's going to do.

Much more to come. That picture is not the picture of a healthy man living a healthy lifestyle.

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