Lou Dobbs abruptly quits CNN on the air -- video

CNN's outspoken and controversial anchor/commentator Lou Dobbs suddenly announced his retirement during his program today, effective immediately.

See the video below.

Dobbs, who's been particularly outspoken on the issue of illegal immigration, said the country's current problems require rigorous discussion based less on partisanship than empirical evidence. He said he'd been under pressure to take a new direction in his life (politics) and he was going to do so in an effort to help save what he called the country's beleaguered system of capitalism.

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 my 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 direct and honest language possible.

CNN, which isn't doing all that well in recent ratings anyway, has also been under pressure to....

...can his conservative backside. Hence, the mutual agreement to end the star's contract this afternoon 14 months early, after nearly 30 years on-air.

Fox News, which earlier this year picked up another departed CNN personality named Glenn Beck, said it has not been in talks with Dobbs, who will continue his radio show.

Late today one former long-time Dobbs staffer described LD this way:

Lou could be an extremely difficult and demanding boss. I got the impression he was even more difficult to those who tried to manage him. But he knew what he wanted from people and usually got it. He was a fair boss and loyal to his team, which has always operated as a separate feifdom within CNN, pretty much a breakaway republic.

The pudgy, grumpy Dobbs is a Texas native, the son of a propane purveyor and the last of the original CNN anchors; he paid tribute to the network's founder Ted Turner in his retirement statement, along with thanking many of the pioneering network's colleagues,

Dobbs lives on a 300-acre farm in New Jersey's northwest corner. Last year when rumors began circulating that Dobbs was interested in entering politics, possibly to challenge the Garden state's incumbent Democrat Gov. Jon Corzine, who lost this month anyway, Dobbs was noncommittal. Never say never, is the favored term.

Also, don't forget, Lou was the freely-elected student body president back at Minico High School. And, like the last two guys elected president, he graduated from Harvard.

And, hey, if you're jumping into politics in this day and age, why shoot for the lowly Senate? What about running on a third-party ticket in 2012 as a populist president? The Republicans in Washington have been left behind by the leading edge of populist conservatism anyway. (And libertarian Republican Rep. Ron Paul at 74 now is even older than John McCain! Lou, on the other hand, is a juvenile 64.)

And who else is out there free of elected office with the popular interest and mediagenic personality to chase a political nomination in three years? Just what's-her-name from Alaska who also quit her daytime job last summer, wrote a book and begins her speaking travels this weekend.

The tone of Dobbs' statement today gave clear indication that whatever line of work the one-time local TV reporter settles on in the near future, he'll likely be passing through Newark's airport quite frequently.

Related item:

First peek at Sarah Palin's new book

-- Andrew Malcolm

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Photo: Tony Pierce

Comments

[Drew]

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.

[John]

Lou Dobbs is a great veteran journalist, he demonstrates everything that is right about network news. I look forward with great anticipation to his next career move and send love, respect and best wishes to him and his family.

[steve rodriguez]

Lou's grown tired of CNN Leftist ways!
He wants to leave a network that puts guys like Michael Moore up on the pedestal as spokesman!

[Tara]

that's what i thought. but who will be on top--lou or sarah?

[Riverwoman]

I am so happy to hear that Lou is finally leaving CNN. Now we won't have to turn on CNN at all. I do not always agree with Lou, however, I am a strong supporter of anyone who stands up for this country and speaks the truth. I think our country needs more people like Lou who will not be intimidated by the left wing nuts. I truly hope he runs for office since we obviously need to replace so many of our elected officials who no longer listen to the people. HEAR! HEAR! LOU, WE'RE WITH YOU...SIGNED...AN INDEPENDENT VOTER!

[steve rodriguez]

Anderson Cooper looks visibly shaken whenever someone takes exception to Barrack Obama's policies!

[Jeff]

The pudgy, grumpy Dobbs is a...
No bias here folks!