Lou Dobbs

	Main Article	Discussion	Related Articles  [?]	Bibliography  [?]	External Links  [?]	Citable Version  [?]
	This editable Main Article is under development and subject to a disclaimer. [edit intro]

Lou Dobbs (1945-) is a U.S. television journalist, emphasizing business and economic news and opinion, who worked for CNN for many years. His opinions had become especially controversial, especially with respect to immigration policy and more recently the Birther Movement. He has also reported on plans for a North American Union.

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.^[1]

While he and Sarah Palin present themselves as populists, The Atlantic described him as the "Anti-Palin": "Dobbs did not complain about the way he was treated by CNN, saying it didn't force him out and its executives treated him well. He barely griped about his usual targets: immigration groups and The New York Times. Dobbs even said he was partially to blame for CNN's low ratings; Palin said she wasn't why McCain lost the election. Finally, Dobbs said Barack Obama is "not the devil," but a man whose policy choices are difficult to understand." ^[2] He is, however, exploring a run for the Presidency in 2012, and might run against Sen. Mel Martinez (D-(New Jersey) in 2010.^[3]

Recognition[edit]

In 2005, the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences awarded Dobbs the Emmy for Lifetime Achievement. The previous year, the National Television Academy awarded Lou Dobbs Tonight an Emmy Award for "Exporting America." He received the George Foster Peabody Award for his coverage of the 1987 stock market crash. In 1990, he was given the Luminary Award by the Business Journalism Review for his "visionary work, which changed the landscape of business journalism in the 1980s."^[4]

In 2004, Dobbs received The Man of the Year Award from The Organization for the Rights of American Workers and the George J. Kourpias Excellence in Journalism Award from the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers for his contributions to the national debate on jobs, global trade and outsourcing. Dobbs was also presented with the Eugene Katz Award for Excellence in the Coverage of Immigration from the Center for Immigration Studies for his ongoing series "Broken Borders," which examines U.S. policy towards illegal immigration. He also received the Hugh O'Brien Youth Leadership in Media Award at the 2004 Albert Schweitzer Leadership Awards Dinner for his commitment to helping high school students seek out, recognize and develop leadership potential. In 1999, he received the Horatio Alger Association Award for Distinguished Americans and, in 2000, the National Space Club Media Award. Dobbs was named "Father of the Year" by the National Father's Day Committee in 1993.

He has also been attacked for his coverage by the Southern Poverty Law Center (SPLC), and defended by Carol M. Swain.^[5] MediaMatters that Dobbs' September 2009 report pointed at "conspiracy theories, hate speech, and undisclosed conflicts of interest", regarding immigration policy.^[6] It referred to his lack of disclosure of ties with the Federation for American Immigration Reform (FAIR), called a hate group by the SPLC; he has broadcast from FAIR meetings and has quoted it without mentioning his affiliation.

Education[edit]

He earned an undergraduate degree in economics at Harvard University.

References[edit]