(Nov. 12) -- Lou Dobbs, the last of CNN's original anchors, abruptly announced in the middle of his show Wednesday that he's quitting the network.
"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," Dobbs said in a statement that gave no indication of where he'll go next but had the ring of a political campaign to it.
Some reports described the move as shocking, but there had been rumblings about his future for months because the opinionated, populist host of "Lou Dobbs Tonight" increasingly stood out from the rest of CNN's anchor line-up.
CNN's own report on Dobbs' departure acknowledged his "controversial role" at the network. "Lou has now decided to carry the banner of advocacy journalism elsewhere," said CNN President Jonathan Klein. (Update:John King will host a new show in Dobbs' time slot, CNN announced Thursday.)
In recent years, that advocacy has focused on attacking illegal immigration, which earned him scorn from Latino and liberal groups.
"This is a happy day for all those who care about this nation of immigrants," Eric Burns, president of Media Matters for America, said in a statement that accused Dobbs of pursuing "a dangerous, one-sided and all too often false conspiracy-tinged crusade against immigrants."
Dobbs' resignation comes at an unsettled time for the 30-year-old network. CNN's ratings have fallen as it tries to steer a middle course, while opinion-driven programming has drawn more viewers to Fox on the right and MSNBC on the left.
Lou Dobbs' resignation announcement wasn't the only bit of must-see TV on CNN Wednesday. Later in the evening, there was this cringe-inducing face-off between Larry King and Carrie Prejean, the ousted beauty-queen-turned-conservative-crusader. On a more touching note, there were several compelling stories for Veterans Day. Most remarkable was this one about an old soldier who always carried his trumpet into battle and discovered the power of music.
Sticking with the TV theme, it's fitting to sign off with a salute to a masterful sitcom writer. David Lloyd died Wednesday after a long illness. True/Slant's Matthew Greenberg pays tribute to the man who gave us one of the all-time great episodes of "The Mary Tyler Moore Show" -- and perhaps the funniest funeral scene ever written -- "Chuckles Bites the Dust."
"A little song, a little dance, a little seltzer down your pants."
RIP, Chuckles the Clown. And thanks for the laughs, David Lloyd.
Steve covers general news and writes The Point, a daily column about hot topics on the Web. He started at AOL in 2000 after working for Reuters and the Associated Press.
CNN anchor Lou Dobbs resigned last night during his 7 p.m. program, citing a desire to take a more activist role in the issues he has passionately and controversially addressed on his show. Dobbs was...
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, but he would fit right in with the other lairs on FAUX News
RATE THIS COMMENT: (-193)
lorkelt
10:16AM Nov 12th 2009
LOL there is a lair of liars on FOX News. The delusional right wing extremists like to say that Fox is the most watched news but the NBC nightly news only has 7 million more viewers than anything on Fox
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obamapelosirnuts
11:23AM Nov 12th 2009
The rats are leaving the sinking CNN ship.
RATE THIS COMMENT: (92)
rmitch1015
11:51AM Nov 12th 2009
Could you liberals please be more specific. What lies has Fox told? Was it about ACORN? Maybe Van Jones? Without Fox those stories would have never been told, because CNN, MSNBC, NBC and all the rest are too busy playing kissy face with Obama.
RATE THIS COMMENT: (185)
mike
12:18PM Nov 12th 2009
rmitch, if you really want to know the answer to that, all you have to do is google "lies Fox News". Just be prepared for the deluge of responses that will follow. I got 1,850,000 responses.
RATE THIS COMMENT: (-97)
ddscorp1
12:40PM Nov 12th 2009
You Liberals/Left wingers, I don't know, seems you want the title of "Progressives" know days! Just call yourselves what you are, "Commies"! Simple, to the point and sheds light on your intentions here in America! You are just pathetic! You attack FOX news all day and night, but you seem to be the only ones not watching FOX! FOX is the "ONLY" news agency that has a fairly balanced audience and tells it like it is! CNN 80 Left/Liberal audience MSNBC 90%, may not be pin point numbers, but damn close! Yet, you call these cronnie shows "real news" LMAO..Pathetic! Please you Left pathetic anti-American, Obama/Pelosi people, when you post your "FOX is Lies" and "Fox is the devil" bull crap, how about posting along with that nonsense some actual arguments and/or examples to back up your whacky claims! May actually give you a little credibality, which you have none of today! You Left/Commies can fool some people sometimes (explains how the Pelosis', Dodds', Franks' and Obamas' have risen to power and hijacked the Democratic party) but you can't fool all the people all the time (will explain the awakening and how you all join the ranks of the Unemployed in 2010, Obama 2012)...That line is borrowed from an old tune for those that don't know.
Point is, If I were to say "President Barrack Hussein Obama is a Liar"...and not give any supporting arguments or facts, that would be a ignorant statement on my part! If I were to say "President Barrack Hussein Obama is a Liar because he said "If you pass my stimulus bill unemployment will not go over 8%"! Unemployment is over 10%..So, infact Pres. Obama lied to us! See the diffrence!? If I said "President Barrack Hussein Obama is a Liar because he said "I'm going to run lobbyists out of Washington"! Yet, today the Lobbyist dollars are flowing to the politicians like the good old days and there are more lobbyist in DC and even lobbyists working in Pres.Obamas' administration/cabinet as we speak! See the diffrence, I made a claim, "Pres. Obama is a Liar", then I gave real, factual examples of just a couple of his lies.....Give it a try!
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Sheila
1:50PM Nov 12th 2009
Check your facts. Lou Dobbs is married to a Mexican.
RATE THIS COMMENT: (47)
jackisbackprt4
2:32PM Nov 12th 2009
obamapelosirnuts 11:23AM Nov 12th 2009 The rats are leaving the sinking CNN ship."====At this juncture, its more like the rising CNN ship.
RATE THIS COMMENT: (-24)
mercuriojoe
3:39PM Nov 12th 2009
Thank God for Lou Dobbs. He is the only one telling us the truth about illegals destroying our country!
RATE THIS COMMENT: (37)
mellottlois
4:06PM Nov 12th 2009
Sorry, but you wouldn't know the TRUTH if it bit you on the nose!! Your just another one of those KNOW-IT-ALL nobody.... and your opinion is your own, so you can keep it!
RATE THIS COMMENT: (-8)
Bill Herring
4:20PM Nov 12th 2009
The truth is difficult to hear!
RATE THIS COMMENT: (10)
nissenmike
4:40PM Nov 12th 2009
Lou Dobbs did nothing more then speak the truth !! what nationality is his wife?
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craigwied
5:18PM Nov 12th 2009
BUll crap! CNN has a long record of spreading lies and ......... What a load of bull
RATE THIS COMMENT: (7)
gwnichol
10:34AM Nov 12th 2009
Gee, maybe Dick Cheney will do us all a favor and take him hunting to celebrate his quitting CNN!
RATE THIS COMMENT: (-124)
ktzefr
12:06PM Nov 12th 2009
Lou Dobbs has simply jumped off a sinking ship. I don't agree with everything he says, and I do think he is too hard on immigrants at times. But there does need to be more distinction between legal and illegal immigrants. If those who come here legally and assimilate into this society do not have any more benefits, advantages, etc. than the illegals (it IS a crime), then what motivation is there to even try to come here legally and become a citizen?? Dobbs was the only thing CNN had to balance their own support of the current administration...MSNBC has no one. What has happened to our folks in the news? Yes, FOX does veer to the right. But, on the other hand, they also cover a ton of stories (important ones, at that) that the other networks just won't cover. And at least they call terrorism by its proper name (as in the Fort Hood massacre) rather than try to sugar coat it and stick their heads in the sand like the other news agencies. Sticking our heads in the sand during the Clinton-worshiping years brought an onslaught of "minor" terror attacks on Americans around the world and set up the 9/11 attack. Do we really want to go back to that attitude??
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highwaywg
12:13PM Nov 12th 2009
We can only hope for that to happen. I would pay to see it.
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CarverHennepin
10:38AM Nov 12th 2009
Another nail in the coffin of CNN.
RATE THIS COMMENT: (171)
jackisbackprt4
2:36PM Nov 12th 2009
CarverHennepin 10:38AM Nov 12th 2009 Another nail in the coffin of CNN."===Actually that is, another nail in your Obama hating butt.
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Luette
10:46AM Nov 12th 2009
I have wondered if their would finally be an exodus of Ethical reporters...when media becomes a political spin floor rather then one of reporting FACTS....and cover ups, true journalists would remove themselves.....aside from the fact CNN is now THIRD behind Fox, guess the PUBLIC is also REJECTING some news media....reading Fantasy Obama Island is getting old
RATE THIS COMMENT: (142)
kartmom
1:09PM Nov 12th 2009
Ethical & reporter.hmmmm I believe that's an Oxymoron
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