Lou Dobbs leaving CNN

New York (CNN) -- CNN's Lou Dobbs is leaving the network at the end of his show Wednesday night, the controversial anchor and commentator announced on the broadcast.

"Over the past six months, it has 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," Dobbs said during his 7 p.m. broadcast.

Dobbs, 64, said he discussed the issue with CNN President Jonathan Klein, who agreed to release him from his contract. The move "will enable me to pursue new opportunities," said Dobbs.

Dobbs, who is the last of the 29-year-old network's original anchors, said he is considering "a number of options and directions."

He cited the growth of the middle class, the creation of jobs, health care, immigration policy, the environment, climate change and the U.S. military involvement in Iraq and Afghanistan as "the major issues of our time."

But, he said, "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."

Those issues, he said, are defined in the public arena "by partisanship and ideology rather than by rigorous, empirical forethought, analysis and discussion," and he vowed to work to change that.

In a written statement, Klein called Dobbs "a valued founding member of the CNN family."

"For decades, Lou fearlessly and tirelessly pursued some of the most important and complex stories of our time, often well ahead of the pack," Klein said. "All of us will miss his appetite for big ideas, the megawatt smile and larger-than-life presence he brought to our newsroom, and we're grateful to have known and worked with him over the years.

"With characteristic forthrightness, Lou has now decided to carry the banner of advocacy journalism elsewhere. We respect his decision and wish him, Debi, and his family the very best."

Dobbs was with Cable News Network from its initial broadcasts in 1980, acting as chief economics correspondent and host of the business program "Moneyline."

His coverage of the 1987 stock market crash won him the George Foster Peabody Award for excellence in broadcasting. That was one of many awards he received while at CNN, including an Emmy for Lifetime Achievement that he received from the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences in 2005.

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News & Politics

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• anchor

[VChuck1]

Sorry, my bad That was supposed to be "Hacking Democracy" Bush Stole the election,Not "Loose Change".

You see it does'nt matter who you voted for anymore.They are all puppets for the "Federal Reserve" (Central Banks)that are not even Federal (deception)controls (owns) Obama,Bush,Clinton,etc,etc.and has been in control since 1913 watch "How international bankers gained control in America"

[SkinnerEnthusiast]

I am fed up with the left trying to legislate what is our obligation. Everyone who has something has worked hard for it. I will be damned if I am going to supplement cost for another person to have insurance for free or severely reduced cost when I am already working hard, paying out of my own pocket full price, my employer paying $0 to supplement the cost.

[atfatw]

lou's very much into BDSM! he gets his illegal alien maid to spank his butt while he parades around like the slut he really is clad into panties and bra and 88'' high high heels CNN was so right to get rid of this geek!

[MOLOTOV0077]

That's what I would say if I got fired too lol, Lou u are and always will be and American Douche!!!

Viva Mexico Cabrones...Arriva Las Chivas!

[PuertoRockPuro718]

VIVA MEXICO AND CUBA

[flex280]

Went to Fox and took back everything he just said. That our guy.

[flex280]

@sandroeleven and white men who rape black women but hate black people aren't either.

[sandroeleven]

ONLY THE LEFT WING LOONS WANT ILLEGALS TO BE HERE!!! NOT CONSERVATIVES.

[sandroeleven]

@AGAPITOMELORROSAS LOU DOBBS HAS A HISPANIC WIFE...THEREFORE HE CANNOT BE A RACIST!!

[Tayanwaltonbuzz]

i miss lou dobbs cnn

[AGAPITOMELORROSAS]

This CHARLATAN " LOW " Dobbs is a promoter of HATE in AMERICA against Immigrants. Ironically, her family is Mexican: wife and 2 daugthers. He was BOOTED from CNN and he was boycotted for 200 business in CNN.

But the HATE PAYS in USA, AMERICA, , then, it's a very good BUSINESS for Him.

Look the Tancredo, Palin,Lambough,,etc the CNN and FOX do biggest business from Latino IMMIGRANTS.

[fuklibs]

@fireonice233 OH NO's! You really "got" me there! I'm CRUSHED! LOL!

Have anything meaninfull to add or are you just here to correct typo's?