Sources close to CNN broadcast journalist/commentator Lou Dobbs said he is seriously considering a run for the U.S. presidency in 2008, The Wall Street Journal reported.
Dobbs, who formerly hosted CNN's MoneyLine business news show and currently hosts CNN's Lou Dobbs Tonight has seen both his ratings and his name recognition rise after his work's focus turned away from news reporting and anchoring and toward political and economic commentary.
Dobbs, an independent, displays an ideology and a political world view that many have characterized as a modified hybrid of Ralph Nader and Pat Buchanan -- i.e. populism combined with strong views against free trade (or current trade frameworks) and against illegal immigration.
Dobbs is a frequent critic of both the Democratic and Republican parties, which he argues don't represent the interests of the typical person or the middle class. His show's website describes him as "an independent populist and the leading media advocate for working men and women, their families, our middle class and the American way of life."
Political Analysis: Unless there's a tidal wave of discontent in the American electorate not tallied by pollsters, Dobbs, as a third-party candidate or as an Independent, has virtually no chance of being elected president of the United States. Although his name recognition is rising and he has a positive public image, it's highly unlikely Dobbs could assemble the campaign staff and money required to compete effectively against Democratic and Republican parties' nominees.
However, this is not to say that Dobbs could not broaden the discourse, i.e. "force the discussion of less-publicized issues" during a debate. Dobbs could accomplish this, but it must be emphasized that making points in a debate is a much easier task than receiving enough votes to win the electoral college vote for U.S. president.
Would you vote for Lou Dobbs for president?
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 3)
11-16-2007 @ 2:37PM
Sheldon L said...
Add any of his presidential aspirations to the long list of campaign jokes Leno & Letterman will be doing when the writers strike is over.
11-16-2007 @ 3:28PM
beanspants said...
no.
11-16-2007 @ 8:53PM
LOUSTHEMAN said...
YES! YES! YES! PLEASE RUN FOR IT LOU WE NEED A MAN LIKE YOU TO LEAD US.
11-17-2007 @ 9:36AM
Yawrood said...
No, PLEASE! Then, he'd no longer be the champion of the people and just become another @#*&#^*& like all the others! Absolute power corrupts absolutely (and likewise, partially)
11-19-2007 @ 3:27PM
Hako said...
Yes, I would vote for Lou. He is anti-corporated-controlled America, wants a level playing field for trade, de-cries the out-sourcing of jobs, wants secure borders and is out-spoken about mortagage fraud....and the many middle-class Americans now in foreclosure. These are all things I am concerned about.....and many other Americans.
1-09-2008 @ 1:59PM
Denise Murdock said...
I am with you we need Lou none of the other canadates care about us so please Lou think about it you will have my vote and I will do any thing I can to help you get elected.
11-19-2007 @ 6:48PM
Dan said...
Yes. I hope Lou Dobbs runs.
The New American Independent Party started all of this a year ago when they started a Draft Lou Dobbs for President Campaign. www.newamericanindependent.com
Go Lou in 2008!
11-19-2007 @ 7:58PM
Dennisg40 said...
Yes I will. I would be refreshing to see someone that has a real head on his shoulders and Lou definitely has a big one. LOL
11-19-2007 @ 8:01PM
Dennisg40 said...
Yes I would definitely vote for Lou Dobbs. It would be refreshing to see someone as president that has a real head on his shoulders and Lou certainly has a big one!
11-19-2007 @ 8:14PM
hansk said...
Lou Dobbs is the only person that would take up for the middle class in this nation. He is the only man I would trust. All the othet jokesters will never get my vote. GOD BLESS THE U.S.A.
11-20-2007 @ 10:26AM
Bryan Ernst said...
YES, I would definitely vote for him. He has been the only one who speaks the truth. The problem is I don't have much faith in the American public. They would rather watch a sports game than take a real interest in the policies of this country and the damage they created. Clinton and Bush both contributed to this devastation.
11-20-2007 @ 8:08PM
K R said...
"Political Analysis: Unless there's a tidal wave of discontent in the American electorate not tallied by pollsters"
I'd say there is.
And would vote for Dobbs, and would actually help his campaign, too.
11-20-2007 @ 9:16PM
peter said...
Lou Dobbs for president? I don't think so , he is just another media lackey. Repeating the same crap every day, nothing new just what he and his producers think the people want to hear. He can't even mention Dr. Ron Paul and his ten honest hard working terms in congress Unwavering and fighting all the curroption without mention from the media, how frustrating it must be to be ignored by everyone for being a constitutional scholar and backer. A firm no to the patriot act . Check him out ,if there is anything bad in his resume please post it, i just haven't been able to find anything i don't dont like about him. He represents only the people that really want an honest public servant leading them, Ignoring all lobby bribes and corporate favors. Propaganda in the media ignores him completely , Including Lou Dobbs who would probably make a very good vice president because he has similar feelings on the illegals and most of his other views are very similar to Ron Paul's beleifs. Let's get this great old guy a better job so he can fix this great country.
12-09-2007 @ 11:56AM
Eric said...
Y'know, Peter, I've been watching Lou Dobbs for almost 10 years now AND I've been working my tail off for Ron Paul for the last 3 months. I really resent your comments about Lou. I'm a little upset about Ron not being on the show more often, but he has been interviewed both by Lou and Kitty Pilgrim in the last year - which is more than allthe other candidates except Hunter and Tancredo. Most of the airtime spent talking about other candidates has been critical in nature, not the typical fluff mainstream media offers. I really think you should reasess your position or, at least, watch the show more often than it sounds like you do. I feel Lou Dobbs Tonight is the only news program even worth awatching anymore, precisely BECAUSE he reports things that the rest of the REAL media lackeys don't. In fact, your comments ar so incorrect that they immediately diminish your credibility and hurt our cause for Ron Paul. I believe Ron Paul can get the Republican nomination, then we won't need Lou to run. If, by chance, he doesn't - I'd vote for Lou, hands down.
11-20-2007 @ 10:20PM
michael said...
YES! Draft Lou Dobbs for president and lets take back our country!
11-21-2007 @ 1:47AM
michael said...
yup, sure would.
11-21-2007 @ 1:18PM
Lisa G. said...
Yes. Lou Dobbs / New American Independent Party 2008!
11-21-2007 @ 7:07PM
KC said...
Lou is a potential Ross Perot. If he runs, he will shake up the party bosses in both the Democratic and Republican parties. I would like to see his name included in a preliminary poll to see how he stands up against Hillary, Rudy and the others at this point in time.
Can't win? Probably not, but if I am left with a choice between Hillary or the ambulance chaser and some extreme right wing Republican, I would most certainly vote for Lou.
11-22-2007 @ 7:46AM
smc said...
Yes to Dobbs for President...without reservation!
He seems to be the only one who recognizes that the CONSTITUTION is our only rule to live by book, as U.S, citizens. It accommodate diversities and protects our freedoms.
I am a Roman Catholic...Bibles, the Koran, etc., these books we personally live by. and we NEVER impose them on others.....NOR do they trump the Constitution of the United States.
11-22-2007 @ 8:42AM
MARY said...
yes! by the way, i would love to help out in his campaign. phone work, mailing, and money limited funds i'am on social security so i work part time and don't have alot of extra. my children and grandchilren need lou. money isn't everything but our freedoms are and they being badly abused. money can't buy those back but our vote can. i will stand by you in your convictions. i've lived most of my life this vote is for my chilren and grandchilren. thanks in advance mary