Dobbs: I'm Latinos' greatest friend

by Andy Barr -
Nov. 25, 2009 10:21 AM
POLITICO.COM .

Perhaps thinking of a future political career, former CNN anchor Lou Dobbs softened his harsh anti-illegal immigrant rhetoric during an interview Tuesday, telling the viewers of the Spanish speaking network Telemundo that "I am one of your greatest friends."

"I want to engage in a meaningful and constructive dialogue, and work with those who will work toward real solutions," said Dobbs, who once falsely accused illegal immigrants of carrying leprosy into the United States.

"I think we need to honestly come together…and make some real progress toward an understanding a compromise for those who are in this country illegally," he said. "What isn't working is a penalty to those who are in this country illegally for whom we can both be building a bridge to the future in which there is legalization and at the same time constructing an environment in which everyone is clear and unequivocal about the need for boarder security and a regulated flow of immigration."

POLITICO reported Tuesday that Dobbs is mulling a run for the White House in 2012, and Dobbs confirmed on former Sen. Fred Thompson's (R-Tenn.) Monday that he might run.

Later in the interview, Dobbs made an impassioned plea to the Hispanic community, urging them to reconsider their previous views on him.

"Whatever you have thought of me in the past," he said, "I can tell you right now that I am one of your greatest friends and I mean for us to work together."

"I hope that will begin with [Dobbs' wife] Maria and me and Telemundo and other media organizations and others in this national debate that we should turn into a solution rather than a continuing debate and factional contest," Dobbs added.

The Arizona Republic is a member of the Politico Network.

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