Lou Dobbs takes flak from many directions. He fires back too.
Lou Dobbs is a controversial CNN broadcaster obsessed with the dangers of immigration. Now someone may have taken a potshot at his house. He blames his critics.
By Brad Knickerbocker | Staff writer/ October 31, 2009 edition
CNN’s Lou Dobbs is a man with a mission: Keep hammering on immigration in the United States.
He’s been at it for years, warning that immigrants (illegal and sometimes legal) are a threat to the country’s economic and social well-being, maybe even its domestic tranquility and security.
Whether or not he believes everything he says — and apparently he does — it’s a very effective broadcast shtick, a hot-button political issue and one that’s easily played (and manipulated), especially when the economy has been faltering and terrorist attacks from abroad remain a threat.
And especially at a time when polls show hardening public attitudes toward immigrants.
For CNN — which projects an image of relative moderation (at least compared to its cable rivals MSNBC on the left and Fox News on the right) — Dobbs comes across as fire-breathing.
“If anybody thinks we’re not engaged in a battle for the soul of this country right now, you’re sorely mistaken,” Mr. Independent (as he calls himself) declares on his Web site.
Naturally (and no doubt intentionally) he’s raised the ire of critics, who paint him as a nativist if not a racist.
Hispanic and immigrant-rights groups have been on his case.
“We believe it is our duty to raise our voices against this slanderous campaign that goes on every night,” Oscar Chacon, executive director of the Chicago-based National Alliance of Latin American and Caribbean Communities, said recently.
The National Council of La Raza and the Southern Poverty Law Center have started a project called “Drop Dobbs” to put the heat on CNN advertisers.
Geraldo Rivera (no stranger to controversy himself) says of Dobbs: “He discovered that one of the ways to get people to watch was to make of the image of a young Latino trying to get into this country a profoundly negative icon. Lou Dobbs is almost single-handedly responsible for creating, for being the architect of the young-Latino-as-scapegoat for everything that ails this country.”
Dobbs reports threatening phone calls, and now somebody may have taken a potshot at his house in New Jersey. It could have been an accident — a hunter perhaps, since the bullet had traveled a long distance and bounced off the side of the house. But Dobbs and his wife (who was standing outside their home at the time) don’t think so, and they’re blaming his critics.
“They’ve created an atmosphere and they’ve been unrelenting in their propaganda,” Dobbs said on his radio show.
Jeffrey Lord, a former Reagan White House political director, suggests in his American Spectator blog that the United Church of Christ and the interfaith group “So We Might See” might have incited animosity against Dobbs through its campaign against “hate speech.”
Meanwhile, CNN is not doing well in the ratings.
“CNN, which invented the cable news network more than two decades ago, will hit a new competitive low with its prime-time programs in October, finishing fourth — and last — among the cable news networks with the audience that all the networks rely on for their advertising,” the New York Times reported on Monday. “That means CNN’s programs were behind not only Fox News and MSNBC, but even its own sister network HLN (formerly Headline News.)”
There’s speculation that Dobbs might jump the CNN ship for Fox News, where he might feel more at home among other Obama administration critics.
“Fox Business Network, which recently picked up firebrand Don Imus, is reportedly interested in Dobbs, whose controversial anti-immigration, anti-Administration stance has sat awkwardly with the rest of CNN’s programming of late,” Rachel Sklar writes at Mediaite.
Stay tuned. Whether Dobbs moves to Fox or stays with CNN, he’s likely to keep hammering on immigrants and immigration policy.
Update: Dobbs has weighed in below. Read his comment.
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Comments
2. Wanda Berger | 10.31.09
Dobbs gives voice to millions of Americans who are furious at the changes taking place against their will. Millions upon millions of foreigners pour into the country in numbers that threatens the bonds of the union. Every environmental goal, every hope of a sustainable future, every requirement for an educated populace is dashed as Democrats seek new voters, Republicans welcome new cheap workers, the Church looks for more members, the unions hope for great numbers and the ethnic activists like La Raza anticipate greater power.
The Middle Class is being destroyed. We are paving over the country for the failures of the Third World.
3. Alex Gelitis | 10.31.09
I have grown tired of all the fear mongering and negativity expressed by the cable news channels. Not only have they portrait president Obama as a villain but the Latino population as a whole has been totally disrespected. I have gone back to the evening Network news. Lou Dobbs and FOX news only care about ratings. It is a shame that anytime a talking Head says something stupid and controversial they get hired by FOX.
4. Jim | 10.31.09
I’ve listened to Lou Dobbs and a great deal of what he says makes sense.
The most generous estimates of stimulus job creation during the past year amount to 600,000 and the real number is probably far less. During the same period of time over 1.2 MILLION new immigrants have be allowed through LEGAL
immigration–and approximately 30% of these new immigrants do not have the equivalent of a high school education. Intentionally creating more competition for existing jobs through excessive legal immigration makes no sense. Tie legal immigration to unemployment and end illegal immigration altogether–poll after poll shows over 80% of US want illegal immigration stopped. Give US citizens the real facts surrounding legal and illegal immigration and let them decide what’s good for the country.
5. Ferdinand | 10.31.09
Wanda Berger,
Immigration reform could have been solved years ago if not for anti reform people.
Every year that this is not fixed will mean additional millions more. What is the real intentions of the anti reform people? Are you for more illegals? Think before you even dare write your unamerican views. Most of dobbs viewers are either nativists, haters, blind followers, and/or does not know anything about immigration.
6. Mr.Sosa | 11.01.09
Fellow Americans,
I am very diasappointed with CNN. I am surprised that a self claimed middle of the road program would intangle themself with Latinos across this country are upset and fed up with Hate crimes against Latinos by either de jure or de facto. The day will come when more Latinos will obtain positions of authority on a grand scale. Our collective memory will recall those who created an atmosphere of hate and scape goating, thus encouraging hate crimes. Mr.dobbs is a cancer to our society and needs to be treated as such. He belongs on fox news where hate and misplaced anger is their selling point. We as Latinos need to remember this moment in history so we can learn from it as not to repeat this onto other groups. Evidently, those of ethnic majority,republican,did not learn their lesson from silencing the voices of African Americans and is now doing the same with Hispanics. What a lot of poeple do not realize that Latinos, both native born or abroad, is a
Effected by immigration and are hoping for an immigration reform.
Peace
7. kevtop351 | 11.01.09
I’ve been out of work for over a year, and can’t find a full time job. Yet, we all know, that millions of “illegal” immigrants are here, working “illegally.” Why shouldn’t, our of work Americans, be put off by this fact? These “illegal” immigrants, who are mostly Hispanic/Latinos, have shown that, they have no respect for our country, and or, its laws. Name calling by both the liberal and progressive, is to be expected, as they want to remake this country by first destroying it. I’m a nativist and proud of it.
8. STAT | 11.01.09
Immigrants used to come to this country to BE Americans. Now, they flaunt the fact that they do not respect our country and have absolutely no intention of assimilating to our culture. Should we stand for that? NO!
I don’t know a lot about Dobbs, but from what I’ve read above, he’s just telling it like it is.
9. Bruce from Oak Harbor | 11.01.09
Article consistent with CSM selections: To be against illegal immigration is to be against all immigrants and Latino immigration in particular. As usual, you got nothin’. We get 29% of our nurses from overseas. 45 to 49 percent of engineers, doctors, and scientists from overseas. Legal immigrants, with college degrees, contribute $100,000 dollars more in taxes at the city, local, state and national levels than they take out over their lifetimes. Dobbs has never spoken against this. The race industry takes comfort from yet another pandering on CSM editorial pages that deliberately misses the point about how expensive the illegal immigration problem is to ACTUAL TAXPAYERS.
10. Himtngal | 11.01.09
Lou Dobbs is the only person I watch on CNN, He “tells it like it is” especially reporting on illegal immigration which will be the destruction of the country. Geraldo Rivera needs to be removed from FOX News for inciting chaos.
11. Bill | 11.01.09
The State Police don’t seem to think it was much of anything. His house is close to woodlands — hunters anyone? Not deer season, but small game. Seems the bullet hit high up in the peak of the house and didn’t even penetrate the vinyl siding.
But that’s OK, Dobbs can hype it up and his ratings will go up. Isn’t that what matters?
12. Bobby | 11.01.09
This attack against Mr. Dobbs, is nothing more than a leftist tactic to silence a newsman that is actually bringin information to an American public that is starved of information, starved because most of it in the form of leftist newsmedia covers up and censors stories that are not in line with their leftist agenda for America. Not rocket science.
Now the result of the lefts instigation in supporting those who are breaking immigration law, and their racist ethnic interest group enablers, has taken the form of an Americans newsman being shot at and his family threatened. How much will it take before the American public realizes the damage open borders does, especially with a nation as corrupt as Mexico? Can’t people see that corruption is now coming to their neighborhoods?
13. James J. | 11.01.09
I thank Mr. Sosa for his informative “us vs. them” diatribe above. It seems to reflect a lack of interest in assimilating into the existing culture of the United States as countless immigrants have in the past. I also found his ending “peace” salutation ironic after his spiteful comments.
14. AmericanMike | 11.01.09
My respects to Mr. Dobbs. Millions of Americans, like me, have looked at the rediculous direction that this open border bunch and some of our traitorous members of congress have taken us. We are fed up with or without a man like Lou Dobbs showcasing these issues. If Lou’s voice wasn’t so powerful, the treason lobby wouldn’t be so angry would they? There is alot of criticism from people who shouldn’t be here in the first place and have no voice at ALL.
15. Lesly | 11.01.09
I agree with Lou Dobbs 100%. We need to deport all illegal aliens and reduce legal immigration. Other countries do it, the United States can do it too. But with the Democrants in the White House and the US Congress is difficult. Some Republicans agree with Democrats regarding illegal aliens (give them amnesty). That is why we need to remove from office those politicians and put in place people like Lou Dobbs.
16. Jim Flynn | 11.01.09
Lou Dobbs is a patriot, much more than Rush Limbaugh.
The politicians in Washington are to blame for decades of inaction in securing our southern border. Now there are 12 million illegals here and their solution is to legalize them. Not to memtion give them health care. Those in the Congress are traitors. The people will not allow this to happen.
17. Jim62 | 11.02.09
Sorry folks,Dobb’s is telling the truth about the current state of affairs. I and many,many,many others recognize it. By the way, check out his credentials as a journalist.
18. lou dobbs | 11.02.09
I regret that CSM strangely enough did not ask me for any comment on their story. Nor did they research my comments over a six year period on the illegal immigration crisis. I have never called for any restriction on LEGAL immigration, and have said countless times that the illegal immigrant is the only rational actor in the crisis, seeking to find high pay, excellent medical care, education and social support. I’ve advocated for many years that the government prosecute the illegal employers, and in so doing diminish the financial incentives that have resulted in the presence of 12-20 million illegal immigrants. And I have never called for deportation, only a rational, effective and humane policy that could be put in place after we take control of our out-of-control borders, ports and dysfunctional immigration system. Why were my views completely ignored in the CSM story?
19. solomon | 11.02.09
CSM is supposedly an unbiased paper and to portray only one side of Dobbs is inexcusable. Pl. do better next time.
21. Shirley | 11.12.09
Lou Dobbs just tells it like it is. There are so many politicians and governmental staff that twist the truth and lie. You don’t know who to believe anymore. If he did tell us what was really going on…we never know what was being pulled in DC and other parts of the country.
22. kws | 11.12.09
“Lou Dobbs is making CNN a Joke” He was the only reason to watch it in the first place. Now that he’s gone, their ratings will drop even further.
23. Bill McGowan | 11.12.09
Mr. Dobb’s needs an entry level training job as a field reporter/journalist. His first assignment should be on the streets in TJ Mexico. Glen Beck should be his cameraman wrapped in the American flag, as Lou interviews and passes our immigration laws to the locals.
24. Bill Cook | 11.12.09
Considering that we hear so much about internal security in America , its very strange that the complete opposite is practised on the borders.
If Lou Dobbs exposes this obvious truth , then why are not all others ?
There is no right wing or left wing in this , only right or wrong in my opinion.
25. Jack | 11.12.09
Dobbs has never called for restrictions upon LEGAL immigration. Employers of ILLEGAL immigrants need to be PROSECUTED in order to eliminate ILLEGAL financial incentives — the main engine which enables continued ILLEGAL immigration. Secure our borders. Dobbs is “right on”; hope he continues telling it like it is.
26. Anthony | 11.12.09
How can anyone defend ILLEGAL immigration? It’s ILLEGAL!
If there are LEGAL avenues to immigrate (and there are)
Then how can we condone ILLEGAL immigration?
Is it “hate speech” to point this out? What a joke!!!
I think it is a fair question, and I hope Lou keeps asking it!
27. Will | 11.12.09
As a struggling middle-class American, I think Lou is great. When I come home from a hard day’s work, I look to Lou to tell me what our government or corporations are doing to work against me. Every day our liberties are being taken away, our competition made more difficult, and our money squeezed from our pockets. So who is helping us to stay informed and organized against it all? Lou. If you think our governments are here to help or our corporations are here to better our standard of living, you are seriously brainwashed. Americans, it is every man for himself and only good men like Lou Dobbs go out on a limb to research the ugly truth, tell all of us and make enemies for it. CNN is off of my viewing list.
28. Frank | 11.12.09
I have watched Lou Dobbs for almost 2 years. He reported that the Bail Out would fail and had experts come on and explain why. Lou Dobbs was right in my opinion. Lou Dobbs complained about out sourcing and how it is hurting jobs in America. Look were we are at. I guess Americans were being sold out after all by corporatism. Lou Dobbs Showed the good and the bad about different countries health care systems. Politicians didn’t really care but it was a powerful message about what works and doe’s not work in the health care insurance business. Lou Dobbs mentioned illiegal immigration as a problem with millions of illegals flooding our borders. Jobs for Americans are diminishing partly because of this. With the worst unemployment since almost the 1930’s Lou Dobbs was definitely on to some thing. Lou Dobbs asked what is Obama doing. What is he doing nothing. Come to Arizonia, Nevada, California were forclosures are the highest since the great depression. Obama stimulus helped the wealthy on Wall Street get hudge bonuses with our bail out money. Helped GM out source their once great product to be made in China. We the American people should have gotten that money that would have stimulated the economy.
Working on green technology is great how do you afford it with out a job. Lou Dobbs brought to light Obama maybe saved 650,000 jobs at best with scetchy math statistics. What about the other 30 to 50 million people unemployed, Under employed or just not counted as un-employed who have given up are they going to be getting a job soon probably not. Lou Dobbs is right about illegal immigration and he is right about Obama. Obama has done apsoloutely nothing to help the middle class, working class or even African Americans. African American males are close to depression level un-employment what happened to the promise he made to them about having a bright future.
Lou Dobbs is right even though he never said it directly. Obama is only telling people what they want to hear and only making politically correct decisions that are not the hard decisions Americans need right now.
29. bob lippman | 11.13.09
For over 50 years i have read the CSM. For a long time i believe it was the last bastion of semi-neutral news left in this country. Their fairly recent switch to irresponsible headlines, obviously prejudicial reporting and the like, is saddening. Anyone who believes Mr Dobbs (whom i do not completely agree with in many matters), or his ilk, receive fair treatment from CSM has associated with the tooth fairy for far too long. CSM PLEASE go back to being neutral.
30. B. R. Kitchen | 11.16.09
Lou Dobbs was the only good program on CNN.
He is highly inteligent and had the good of the United States in his heart and his works. How could any American believe otherwise if they had heard his views which were always diplomatic and professional.
I hope to see more of him without restrictions. Fox would greatly benefit to have him there.
I hope he will get some others to back him for public office such as Glen Beck, Ross Perot, Lee Iacoca, Forbes,Ron Paul, Palin, The Heritage Foundation, Tea Party Members, Minute Men, Numbers USA and others that have the good of America in their vision and form an independent party that can win over the criminals that are in office now. We have to get started immediately and work dilegently to save America. God Bless Lou Dobbs.
31. B. R. Kitchen | 11.16.09
Lou Dobbs was the only good program on CNN.
He is highly inteligent and has the good of the United States in his heart and his works. How could any American believe otherwise if they had heard his views which were always diplomatic and professional.
I hope to see more of him without restrictions
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1. kevin | 10.31.09
Lou Dobbs is making CNN a Joke..and the whole gun shots fired at his house sound very dubious to me…i think it’s a made up story,just like the ones he tells on lou Dobbs Tonight on CNN