After “Amicable” $8 Million Split With CNN, What’s Next For Lou Dobbs?

by Robert Quigley | 9:28 am, November 16th, 2009

» 3 comments

Almost a week after the fact, lots of fascinating details are starting to trickle in about Lou Dobbs‘ departure from CNN. Why did he announce his resignation on Wednesday instead of the more customary Friday? Bad luck to bow on Friday the 13th. What sort of severance did he get? For the headline-impaired among you, that would be $8 million.

The big question: is Dobbs planning on going into politics?

In his second interview since leaving elected office CNN (the first was with the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, which was a good read but largely skirted the issue of politics), Dobbs tells the AP that his split with the network was “amicable,” and is uncoy about his interest in going into politics now that his obligations to the network have ceased: “A run for public office interests him, Dobbs said. It’s one of several options he said he’s considering.”

The New York Post, never the paper to let amicability go unquestioned, claims to have found its price tag: $8 million, despite the fact that Dobbs had a year-and-a-half to go before his contract was fulfilled. Or as they put it: “CNN was so sick of Lou Dobbs, it gave him an $8 million severance package to leave.” Speaking to “TV insiders” and “one colleague,” the Post claims that both a move to Fox and a move into politics are “highly unlikely” for Dobbs.

Dobbs is appearing on The O’Reilly Factor tonight, which might help put some of the speculations to rest. If not, he’ll be appearing on The Daily Show on Wednesday — and as we all know, that’s where the big news tends to get broken first.

(h/t Michael Calderone)

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rdarwish

I could never stomach him. I am addicted to CNN, but whenever Lou Dobbs came on, I turned off my TV. It is such a hateful, xenophobic person. It seems like the only thing he cared about was illegal immigrants or even legal ones. Then his alignment with the birthers? Are you kidding me? I like CNN because it is a straight news channel. He was NOT delivering news – only spewing poison.

Good riddens to bad rubbish.
Facebook User

rdarwish is probably completely unaware how funny his comment is.

Meanwhile, here’s an example of what is now a lie from CNN’s president (because he won’t correct it):

http://24ahead.com/jon-klein-cnn-political-researchers-were-wrong-hawaii-didnt-
ImNotBlue

rdarwish says:
November 16, 2009 at 11:10 am

Real quick:
1) Dobbs doesn’t hate immigrants… not even illegal ones. He wants the government to enforce the laws to keep illegals out, and has been critical of both parties for failing to do this. His wife, however, is an immigrant… to it’s tough to argue that he hates “legal ones too.”

2) Dobbs didn’t align himself with the “Birthers,” rather he was the only show to allow their opinion to be aired. Whether that was good or not is an opinion, but he has stated that he doesn’t necessarily agree with their claims, but believes they should be heard as much as anyone else.

3) Most opinions of Dobbs have come from people who don’t watch, and who disagree with his politics. They have been able to brand him “hateful,” “xenophobic,” and so on because they disagree with him politically, and it’s easier to personally attack than to debate issues.

________

And in case anyone was wondering… for $8million, I’d be “amicable” about leaving as well.