Thread: A Moment With ... Lou Dobbs, CNN anchor

Last updated November 12, 2007 12:54 p.m. PT

A Moment With ... Lou Dobbs, CNN anchor
Lou Dobbs of CNN is not just a talking head anymore.

The 62-year-old anchor has moved into what he calls "advocacy journalism," using "Lou Dobbs Tonight" as a powerful platform to advance his populist views on such issues as immigration, outsourcing and the undermining of the middle class.

The Harvard-educated Idaho native also has spread his impassioned message with popular books, including his new "Independents Day: Awakening the American Spirit" (Viking, 213 pages, $24.95). He disparages both the Republican and Democratic parties and urges a third party with a populist agenda.

Dobbs will discuss the new book Tuesday at noon before the Greater Seattle Chamber of Commerce at the Sheraton and at 7:30 p.m. at Town Hall. He spent his formative reporting years in Seattle at KING-TV from 1976-1980.

On what's new in this book:

What is new is the depth of the issues we face. It is of critical importance that the American people respond to the current lack of leadership.

On his optimism that it will take place:

I see the 2006 midterm elections as a vote against the mindless direction that the country is headed. I am also watching people facing the facts that this economy is not working for every American -- it is not offering the opportunity to succeed and provide a better life for their children. I am seeing people awaken to those realities.

On whether it is too late for an independent, populist third party to be in place for 2008:

I don't think so. I truly believe both major parties have abandoned working men and women and their families -- these parties are opposite wings of the same bird. ... It is my opinion that it is time for people to revolt against these partisan brands.

On whether he writes his books himself:

I do write them myself. I do it by dictating. I usually spend my mornings on writing.

On his inspirations in advocacy journalism:

I certainly do not want anyone to infer that I think there is an analogous talent between them and myself. But Mark Twain, H.L. Mencken and Will Rogers inspire me to go to the core of who we are as Americans ... they set a standard for bringing the mind to bear on what ails our society.

On his reaction to being profiled during the last year on "60 Minutes" and in the New Yorker:

(Laughs) We never see ourselves as do others, but those perspectives are very important ... I do get too full of myself sometimes, but all I have to do is read my clippings to get a more humble view of myself.

On returning to Seattle:

I've always loved Seattle. It was just great for me. I'm going to see some old friends. ... I also want to see how the city has grown -- I haven't been in Seattle for a couple years.

-- John Marshall

http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/tv/339309_dobbs13.html

Lou is the greatest!