Lou Doubts
Judy Bachrach
Poder 360
Sep 22, 2009
As the self-described savior of America’s middle-class, CNN anchor Lou Dobbs has been using the immigration debate to raise his own stock. But at what point did ratings become more important than the quality of reporting for “the most trusted name in news”?
Lou Dobbs, the CNN television anchor with strong feelings about illegal immigration and immigrants, will not be running for governor of New Jersey any time soon. “I’m the wrong personality type,” he recently informed the media, which was already aware of this drawback. Although Lou was prudent enough to add that such a hurdle might be eventually overcome. “I cannot say: Never,” he said.
Those who know him well, however, say it’s all balderdash. Lou’s just a tease.
“He fans the flames of these gossipy items. He has an astute mind when it comes to P.R. or promoting the brand, so he’ll say things like, ‘Never say never,’ ” says one astute Lou-watcher, “when he might not be thinking about running at all.”
Others aren’t so sure about the limits of Lou’s ambition, even at age 62. Try telling Lou’s targets that Lou’s just kidding around when he ponders a political future. In late June I phoned the National Council of La Raza, the Hispanic advocacy group, and heard the distinct sound of the rending of garments. “I’m hearing rumors he’s running for governor!” Lisa Navarrete, La Raza’s communications director declared mournfully. “He’s mad at [Democratic Gov.] Jon Corzine, so he wants to run.” Read More