Lou Dobbs to Leave CNN: Anchor Retires from Lou Dobbs Tonight

by Mary Richard | November 11, 2009 at 03:54 pm

1440 views | 94 Recommendations | 20 comments

Lou Dobbs, anchor of CNN's Lou Dobbs Tonight is set to resign on tonight's show.

A CNN executive confirmed that Mr. Dobbs will announce his resignation plans on his 7 p.m. program. His resignation is effective immediately; tonight’s program will be his last on CNN. His contract was not set to expire until the end of 2011.

It is not known at this time if he's moving to another network though some had felt his rule on the show waning. CNN President Jonathan Klein has issued a written statement.

"For decades, Lou fearlessly and tirelessly pursued some of the most important and complex stories of our time, often well ahead of the pack," Klein said. "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, and his family the very best."

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Karl Gotthardt - albertacowpoke

at 16:26 on November 11th, 2009

Lou Dobbs announced minutes ago that he will be leaving CNN after tonights show. He stated that he was on of the original anchors on CNN some 30 years ago. He mentioned wave of change withing the media and that ideology governs rather than healthy debate.

He said that he had several conversations with Stein and that they had mutually agreed to release from his contract.

In the statement he said he had several options but had not made a decision yet, when he would he would let the public know.

He thanked Ted Turner and all the wonderful people he has worked with on CNN.

Part of 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," Dobbs said during his 7 p.m. broadcast.

Dobbs, 64, said he had discussed the issue with CNN President Jonathan Klein, who agreed to release him from his contract and "that will enable me to pursue new opportunities."

He said he was considering "a number of opportunities and directions."

ChattahBox)— CNN’s controversial host Lou Dobbs, has come under increasing criticism of late, as he has advanced various fringe conspiracy theories on his nightly program, as well as continuing to display his Xenophobic anti-immigration views. The New York Times is reporting that Lou Dobbs is leaving the cable news network and he plans to make the announcement on Wednesday’s show.

Dobbs did not say if he had plans with another network, but it was reported that he had met with Roger Ailes last month for a possible spot on the Fox Business Network.

However, a Fox spokesperson said on Wednesday, “We have not had any discussions with Lou Dobbs for Fox News or Fox Business.”

Dobb’s contract was not due to expire until the end of 201

Mary Richard

at 16:37 on November 11th, 2009

Thanks, Cowpoke! Here's the video of his goodbye speech.

Wonder how long before we see him at FOX?

Karl Gotthardt - albertacowpoke

at 16:47 on November 11th, 2009

I somehow don't think he will show up at FOX Newschannel. There would be a conflict between him and O'Reilly right off the bat. Maybe he could co-host on MSBC with Chris Matthews. Now that would be fair and balanced:)

Rory Cripps

at 17:29 on November 11th, 2009

ACP: Matthews is too much of an ideologue and left-wing wussy to tolerate Dobbs. He's essentially a pouty little pastie white boy with a big mouth that can dish it out but (save for all his buffers) would undoubtedly piss in his expensive and well-unearned pants if he were forced to share a spot with Dobbs. Don't get me wrong: Dobbs is no prize either. Both Dobbs and Matthews often get it wrong. So . . . I think that if Dobbs and Matthews co-hosted a show, it would be a big hit! HA!

Karl Gotthardt - albertacowpoke

at 17:35 on November 11th, 2009

I think I got that loud and clear Rory:) Your comment caused me to choke. I hate it when it goes down the wrong tube.

YankeeJim

at 04:13 on November 12th, 2009

Since Chris Matthews said he wants to run for Senate, that would make sense.

E J Krause (not verified)

at 16:30 on November 11th, 2009

Lou Dobbs really belongs on FOX - he's bigoted and prone to wild exaggerations when it suits him to do so.

Amy Judd

at 16:46 on November 11th, 2009

Hugh Askew

at 17:23 on November 11th, 2009

Speachless?

YankeeJim

at 17:05 on November 11th, 2009

Well, I like Dobbs. I don't think that he was wrong to question the blind eye toward illegal immigrants. The practice of allowing illegals to work in the US has broken the back of the California economy. Either we're a nation of laws or not. Right now, we are a nation of political convenience.

Drew B. (not verified)

at 17:39 on November 11th, 2009

About time he quit. cnn is pushing a totalitarian progressive (communist lite v-2.0) agenda, and anyone with any sense at all doesn't bother watching this station anymore. lou encompassed free thinking, free willing, liberty, freedom, and if goes against the u.s. constitution, then it's not right.true liberals are disgusted with these so called progressives that invaded their party. true conservatives are disgusted with the neo-cons that have invaded their party too.I'd vote for him... And he doesn't spew out lies like most at cnn does daily. Liars are just that, liars. Worthless to the human race. And for a news agency to fall in line with official government policy, and refuse to report accurate information, because it may go against that policy, well, they need to go bankrupt then. that is capitalism.

bpulhem

at 18:11 on November 11th, 2009

Hooray-another yahoo bites the dust. Actually folks it will not be long before we find a way to rip FOX VIEWS off the air and destroy it. Maybe someone can pick Beck and O'Reilly up off the streets(you know-rendition??) and dump them behind the lines in Afghanistan As for Limbaugh-drop him off in the middle of the Taliban controlled areas in Pakistan. See if he has the daring do to find his way out like that New York Times. reporter did some time ago. My point in this comment folks is that these people are cowards. I think they all have some horrendous savages running around in their heads. Including the stupid yahoos who host Fox Views in the AM. Of course we know what Murdochs all about. The profits lie in Hatred Division and Sex.

caj1

at 18:42 on November 11th, 2009

Hit the nail on the head, bpulhem. Good going, especially since I don't get cable TV at the moment, so you're keeping me apprised of the current scheme of things.

J2B (not verified)

at 18:17 on November 11th, 2009

well that's certainly good news! what a boring quack quack!

MBenson82

at 09:01 on November 13th, 2009

I'm not familiar with the Lou-man, but I say, if he truly was taking a hardline against illegal immigration, then I would vote for him. I woulda voted for Ron Paul too, but ah well. Anyone who actually makes a stance in this country gets pushed to the wayside, and waffling (thanks Hugh for the term) jerk-offs like Obama get voted in. Ah, well.

I would like to re-state what Roy said earlier....The anti-illegals in this country (such as myself) are NOT racists. This is NOT a Hispanic/Latino issue. This IS about upholding the laws of the US and actually ENFORCING them. Wanna create jobs, Obama? Offer up anyone who wants to to hire on as border patrol, illegal round-up squads, and employment eligibility clerks. You have any idea how many millions would want to do this? Every legal citizen (who actually gives two chits about our laws) of California, Arizona, New Mexico and Texas would LOVE to do this.

As always, that's just my 2 cents.

Sudha Krishna

at 09:01 on November 12th, 2009

John King will replace Lou Dobbs in that time slot with a new political show, the NY Times is reporting

Jen Anselmo (not verified)

at 14:41 on November 12th, 2009

CNN just lost its best anchor - wish you the best!

dj345 (not verified)

at 22:03 on November 12th, 2009

CNN has caved into the biased reporting of the major networks. Not many will be watching it any longer. The only reason I watched CNN was because of the good news reporting on Lou Dobbs Tonight and the muckracking. He will be missed. If some liberal was being shot at, there would definitely be a huge uproar going on and name calling! We're all sick and tired of radical liberals/special interest groups running this country!