Early today, Lou Dobbs officially announced to his television audience: "This will be my last broadcast." The host of CNN's popular "Lou Dobbs Tonight" gave no prior warning to his fan base, leaving everyone to wonder what will happen next.
At 64 years old he could retire, but Lou Dobbs has given no indication of slowing down. Perhaps he will resurface on the Fox News Channel (FNC), where controversial hosts feel right at home. There they can feel free to admit they are Christians, Conservatives, and Independents without fear of backlash for not conforming to the progressive liberal left.
Lou Dobbs has been known for not quite fitting the media mold in regard to some Government programs, including financial issues like illegal immigration which the current administration seems determined to support with our tax dollars. Yet Dobbs seems rather tame in comparison to Glenn Beck, also formerly employed by CNN, now comfortably right at home on FNC.
A one-time financial journalist, Lou Dobbs was recruited by Ted Turner in 1980 to help build his new Cable News Network, serving as host of the business news program MoneyLine. Since that time he has been honored with a Cable Ace Award, a Peabody Award, and an Emmy for Lifetime Achievement.
Well-respected by his peers, CNN President Jonathan Klein had this to say about Dobbs: "For decades, Lou fearlessly and tirelessly 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 characteristic forthrightness, Lou has now decided to carry the banner of advocacy journalism elsewhere. We respect his decision and wish him, Debi [Dobbs' wife], and his family the very best."
Lou Dobbs most likely has several options as to where he will continue as he alluded to today.
"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 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."
It will be interesting to see where Lou Dobbs will end up. At this point, Lou will continue to serve as anchor of The Lou Dobbs Show, a daily radio show that began in March 2008 and is distributed to more than 160 stations nationwide by United Stations Radio Networks Inc.
God speed Lou, and I'm glad you came out with your integrity intact.
For more information: Anchor Lou Dobbs departs CNN and Lou Dobbs says he is leaving CNN
Comments
Thanks for the info...great article! I noticed a difference in Mr. Dobbs these past few weeks and this must have been it.
You're welcome Susie, and thank you :-) It must have been difficult for him and the network to part ways, but sometimes we know when it's time to move on to greener pastures.
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