Lou Dobbs Leaves CNN, Wishes to Pursue Other Opportunities

Lou Dobbs is leaving CNN, but plans to pursue other opportunities that will likely keep him in the media spotlight. Dobbs announced yesterday that the nightly newscast would be his last for the network and noted that he would continue to be a part of the "national conversation" that would seek to restore "inspiration to our great free society and our market economy." Dobbs originally signed on with CNN in 1980, hosting a business broadcast for most of that time. He eventually transitioned to more mainstream news and became more opinionated as time went on, especially in the wake of the September 2001 terrorist attacks.

Dobbs’ continued expression of his opinions, especially on issues of immigration, began to cause some minor issues for CNN, which dedicated itself to non-opinion pieces and unbiased journalism. Dobbs’ opinions have also regularly drawn him great ratings, as well as the ire of Latino groups. Dobbs noted that his decision came only after a series of long discussion with CNN President Jon Klein. Dobbs noted that he was specifically interested in issues of health care, jobs, immigration, war and climate change.

Said Dobbs, "Unfortunately, these issues are now defined in the public arena by partisanship and ideology rather than rigorous empirical thought and forthright analysis and discussion. I will be working diligently to change that as best I can." Of the move, CNN’s Klein noted, "With characteristic forthrightness, Lou has now decided to carry the banner of advocacy journalism elsewhere." To sign off his broadcast, Dobbs noted simply, "This will be my last broadcast."