“Lou Dobbs Democrats”
When a Washington Times reporter this morning referred to blue collar voters as “Lou Dobbs democrats,” I laughed out loud about how gullible we’ve become as a society … even the media.
The nightly rants on cable television by Lou Dobbs over the plight of so-called blue collar Americans are an act, a dramatic show, done for the sole purpose of revitalizing his CNN ratings, which were on a steep slide against MSNBC, and to enrich himself and his employer. If you really believe anything he says, then let me ask you this — why isn’t Dobbs outside the studio, shirt-sleeves rolled up and doing something tangible, other than talking? He has no record of community service or activism, just talk. The only time he leaves the studio is for a speaking engagement where he collects a fat fee.
What Dobbs is doing today isn’t really much different from what Rush Limbaugh has done to appeal to right-wingers for decades - extremist ranting to create publicity … saying outrageous things they want to hear but are afraid to say themselves. The purpose is to make money from inciting anger.
Limbaugh, too, is an act honed while a talk show host in Kansas City, and he has since made millions from hateful and often inaccurate and harmful extremist opinions.
It’s all just hot air.
About the Author: David is a veteran communications strategist ... writer ... blogger ... online publisher ... and Emmy Award winning former CBS Network News correspondent. He lives in Washington, D. C., area and works worldwide.
bilo | Jun 17, 2008 | Reply
I though I was the only one disappointed by the content of his program…it is true then!
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Eric Mondschein | Jun 18, 2008 | Reply
I have often watch Lou Dobbs on CNN, although I watch CNN less and less these days, and I do not watch MSNBC, which brings claims of bias in the news media to new heights. I must say I think you used a rather broad brush when criticizing him this time. I do not agree with every position he takes or expounds upon, but I do agree with him on some things. But to compare him to Rush Limbaugh is just way over the top.
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David Henderson | Jun 18, 2008 | Reply
The point I was trying to make is that Lou Dobbs, in an attempt to revitalize his program and declining ratings, has reinvented himself as a champion of blue collar Americans. But, it’s all just theater, an act. He has become the counter-point to Limbaugh. There are so many U.S. flags on Dobbs’ TV program set that I expect him to come out dressed in a suit made from a flag. His show is about nothing but talk, no action.
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Doug Naudin | Oct 2, 2008 | Reply
Amen……..hot air…… but why do the execs at CNN let him get away with it and why are all the correspondents at CNN afraid of him ..even Wolf…ahh execs protect…coworkers fear…oh I see…..
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