CNN’s Lou Dobbs is Out. Now What?

The New York Times reports embattled television commentator Lou Dobbs quit Cable News Network (CNN) last night. Dobbs’ extensive record of anti-immigrant, paranoid comments drew fire, as did a number of controversial moves, like welcoming an Obama birther to his program. Here’s Dobbs’ statement:

The complete text is as follows:

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 have 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 am 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. And to continue to do so in the most honest and direct language possible.

I’ve talked extensively with Jonathan Klein; Jon’s the president of CNN, and as a result of those talks, Jon and I have agreed to a release from my contract 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.

I truly believe that the major issues of our time include the growth of our middle class, the creation of more jobs, health care, immigration policy, the environment, climate change, and our military involvement, of course, in Afghanistan and Iraq.

But each of those issues is in my opinion informed by our capacity to demonstrate strong resilience of our now weakened capitalist economy and demonstrate the political will to overcome the lack of true representation in Washington, D.C. I believe these to be profoundly critically important issues and I will continue to strive to deal honestly and straightforwardly with those issues in the future.

Unfortunately, these issues are now defined in the public arena by partisanship and ideology rather than by rigorous empirical thought and forthright analysis and discussion. I’ll be working diligently to change that as best I can. And, as for the important work of restoring inspiration to our great free society and our market economy, I will strive as well to be a leader in that national conversation.

It’s been my great honor to work with each and every person at this wonderful network. I will be eternally grateful to CNN, to Ted Turner, and to all of my colleagues and friends and, of course, to you at home. I thank you and may God bless you.

The news continues for the rest of this hour. I’ll be back right after the break.

Dobbs had been the target of at least two drives, the Drop Dobbs Coalition and Presente’s BastaDobbs, which I noted previously. The Drop Dobbs team had an arresting commercial that aired on several outlets:

The Los Angeles Times speculates he may be headed to Fox News, as former fellow CNN host (and onetime stand-up comedian) Glenn Beck did. Other reflections include:

• InsideTV: “He might be gearing up for a political career after mentioning what he recognizes as a ‘lack of true representation.’ Is the nation ready for Dobbs 2012?”
• Chicago Now: “God forbid he run for elected office.”
• Wall Street Journal: “Advocacy groups say Dobbs was pushed and are celebrating. The anchor says he plans to take his fight for issues he believes in elsewhere, though just where that is he hasn’t yet said.”

I am certain the public media work against Dobbs hit CNN, which has had a souring relationship with Dobbs over the last five years. Fox has to be an attractive option for Dobbs — it’s the top cable news channel, would likely indulge his spin, and wouldn’t blink in the face of boycotts. Fox could scoop up a well-known journalist who seemed to try fashioning a quasi-Beck everyman character, but who had the media record to give him heft. There are positives and negatives for both parties.

While many are talking about the fact Dobbs was released from his CNN contract, the details of that are unknown. I know everyone’s talking nice, but does anyone really think this is an unconditional release? Many large organizations have non-compete clauses that contractees are bound to honor even if terminated or separated amicably from their organizations. It is reasonable to guess CNN doesn’t want Dobbs headed to competitor Fox immediately after leaving, though virtually everyone expects him to go there eventually. Anyone who expects CNN didn’t let Dobbs, one of its marquee names for almost 30 years (and who is arguably grabbing more headlines, albeit bad ones, than he has in years), out of his on-air role immediately and without conditions really should reconsider that proposition. If he hangs around writing a book, speaking and doing radio at least through the end of the year, have no doubt terms of Dobbs’ release may be the reason. Though denying a Dobbs jump now, Fox would most assuredly put him on tonight with his own show if they could, if for no other reason than his newsworthiness to their audience.

National Public Radio ponders the political potential of a Dobbs and Fox rumors. I’m skeptical of Dobbs’ desire to seek public office. Before his post-9/11 conservative populist pose, Dobbs crafted a persona of a personable, distinguished journalist. Politics is nasty, and it’s doubtful Dobbs wants to expose himself, his personal life and his family to the intense scrutiny a race is bound to generate. The world has seen far stranger stuff, though.

Here’s hoping the coalitions that came together to oppose Dobbs stick around to hold more media makers accountable. Dobbs may have been particularly pointed in his commentaries, but he is hardly the only one making discredited statements.

In its ongoing effort against Beck, ColorOfChange did a lot of things right, and arguably some things wrong; Beck is still on the air, unbowed and making the same kind of commentary that drew heat before; and advertisers are still supporting Fox. CNN, however, cares about the veneer of journalistic objectivity to which Fox does not seem to give much consideration. Can an effective media campaign against Fox by progressive political forces be mounted? That may be the big question out of yesterday’s departure.