By Frank James

Lou Dobbs, the last of the original anchors at CNN, is leaving the news network where he has spent most of the last 30 years.

Lou Dobbs.

CNN's Lou Dobbs is leaving the network to pursue other opportunities. (KAREN BLEIER / AFP/Getty Images)

In a surprise announcement, Dobbs said Wednesday evening's Lou Dobbs Tonight program would be his last for the network.

Dobbs, who has been controversial because of his hard-line position on illegal immigration and government spending, left the impression that his departure was of his own choosing.

Dobbs said:

Over the past six months it's 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. I've talked extensively with Jonathan Klein, Jon's the president of CNN and as a result of those talks Jon and I have agreed to a release from my contract that will enable me to pursue new opportunities.

Dave Folkenflik, NPR's media reporter, reports that Dobbs didn't tell the whole story. There had been tensions between the anchor and his bosses for months:

Dobbs was one of the few figures left from CNN's founding -- he was a financial news anchor but became a populist pundit opposed to illegal immigration and government expansion and more recently against President Obama.
That caused conflict within CNN. The network, a ratings laggard, has been trying to distinguish itself from its more openly ideological cable news rivals by promoting what it says is unbiased journalism. CNN has now released Dobbs from his contract.

Here's more on CNN's ratings decline. In the October ratings period, the network which invented 24/7 cable news, was behind even the once perennial laggard MSNBC.

categories: Media

7:33 - November 11, 2009

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