"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," Dobbs said in a statement that gave no indication of where he'll go next but had the ring of a political campaign to it.
Some reports described the move as shocking, but there had been rumblings about his future for months because the opinionated, populist host of "Lou Dobbs Tonight" increasingly stood out from the rest of CNN's anchor line-up.
CNN's own report on Dobbs' departure acknowledged his "controversial role" at the network. "Lou has now decided to carry the banner of advocacy journalism elsewhere," said CNN President Jonathan Klein. (Update: John King will host a new show in Dobbs' time slot, CNN announced Thursday.)
In recent years, that advocacy has focused on attacking illegal immigration, which earned him scorn from Latino and liberal groups.
"This is a happy day for all those who care about this nation of immigrants," Eric Burns, president of Media Matters for America, said in a statement that accused Dobbs of pursuing "a dangerous, one-sided and all too often false conspiracy-tinged crusade against immigrants."
Dobbs also ran afoul of CNN management this year for continuing to raise questions about President Barack Obama's birthplace.
Some CNN fans, such as True/Slant's Arsalan Iftikhar, aren't exactly sorry to see him go. Dobbs' fans will still be able to hear his radio program, and many observers expect his next TV job to be with Fox News or the Fox Business Network. Although The New York Times reported that Fox News boss Roger Ailes met with Dobbs in September, a Fox official denied Wednesday there had been any discussions with either channel.
Dobbs' resignation comes at an unsettled time for the 30-year-old network. CNN's ratings have fallen as it tries to steer a middle course, while opinion-driven programming has drawn more viewers to Fox on the right and MSNBC on the left.
There's even a hint of a truce in the "war" between Fox News and the White House, with Obama reportedly agreeing to his first interview with the network in months.
Strong winds of change are blowing indeed.
Also on CNN ...
Lou Dobbs' resignation announcement wasn't the only bit of must-see TV on CNN Wednesday. Later in the evening, there was this cringe-inducing face-off between Larry King and Carrie Prejean, the ousted beauty-queen-turned-conservative-crusader. On a more touching note, there were several compelling stories for Veterans Day. Most remarkable was this one about an old soldier who always carried his trumpet into battle and discovered the power of music.
Noted in Passing
Sticking with the TV theme, it's fitting to sign off with a salute to a masterful sitcom writer. David Lloyd died Wednesday after a long illness. True/Slant's Matthew Greenberg pays tribute to the man who gave us one of the all-time great episodes of "The Mary Tyler Moore Show" -- and perhaps the funniest funeral scene ever written -- "Chuckles Bites the Dust."
"A little song, a little dance, a little seltzer down your pants."
RIP, Chuckles the Clown. And thanks for the laughs, David Lloyd.
