# Lou Dobbs for President **URL:** \ **Category:** Great Debates\ **Created:** [November 12, 2009, 1:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lou-dobbs-for-president/517306 "2009-11-12T13:12:27Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![An\_Arky](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/87869e/32.png) [@An\_Arky](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/An_Arky)\ **Post date:** [November 12, 2009, 4:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lou-dobbs-for-president/517306/21 "2009-11-12T16:00:05Z")
> [@Mr.Moto](#): > > Correct me if I’m getting a false impression here. You made vague disapproving noises toward Ralph Nader when he ran for president last time around, and it seemed like you were doing so because you disapproved of splitting the center-to-left vote. > > So I wonder why you figure unity is a dandy thing for your side but ours should discard it, apart from pure partisan considerations. > > I thank you in advance for your reply. I was being humorous, or so I thought. Kind of a throw-me-in-that-briar patch sort of thing. I figured that was the spirit of the OP, anyway. ---
**Author:** ![Skammer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/skammer/32/143_2.png) [@Skammer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skammer)\ **Post date:** [November 12, 2009, 4:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lou-dobbs-for-president/517306/22 "2009-11-12T16:05:34Z")
> [@ElvisL1ves](#): > > Bah. He’ll be on Fox in a few weeks, tops. This is the first thing I thought when I heard the news also. ---
**Author:** ![Mr.Moto](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/9de0a6/32.png) [@Mr.Moto](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mr.Moto)\ **Post date:** [November 12, 2009, 4:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lou-dobbs-for-president/517306/23 "2009-11-12T16:14:10Z")
> [@An\_Arky](#): > > I was being humorous, or so I thought. Kind of a throw-me-in-that-briar patch sort of thing. I figured that was the spirit of the OP, anyway. Okay. Hard to tell sometimes here. ---
**Author:** ![CaveMike](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cavemike/32/16379_2.png) [@CaveMike](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CaveMike)\ **Post date:** [November 12, 2009, 4:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lou-dobbs-for-president/517306/24 "2009-11-12T16:14:21Z")
> [@Marley23](#): > > these guys like to believe they’re the voice of the people and could win an election, but they don’t want to do the work or face the embarrassment of losing and finding out that most of the public doesn’t take them seriously. Plus they would be held accountable more directly for what they say, and they would have to bite their tongues sometimes if they wanted to get anything done. In other words, being in politics sounds like more work than talking about politics on TV, and less fun. Exactly. It is like a restaurant critic opening up his own steakhouse or a music reviewer starting a rock band. ---
**Author:** ![GoodOmens](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/d26b3c/32.png) [@GoodOmens](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GoodOmens)\ **Post date:** [November 12, 2009, 4:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lou-dobbs-for-president/517306/25 "2009-11-12T16:18:15Z")
You know, I hope he does run for President with Palin as his VP. I’d vote for them too. Only because the world is ending about a month after the election, of course. ---
**Author:** ![Syntropy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/65b543/32.png) [@Syntropy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Syntropy)\ **Post date:** [November 12, 2009, 4:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lou-dobbs-for-president/517306/26 "2009-11-12T16:20:28Z")
> [@haymarketmartyr](#): > > I have felt for a long time (I am 60 and have been following politics since my teens) that America needs a third party to represent the issues of average, middle class Americans. I hoped that Ross Perot could have done that. He did speak for much of middle America and did garner 19% of the vote which is a major accomplishment in and of itself. However, Perot built an election effort solely around his own personality and the issues he cared about at that time and as he lost interest his party collapsed and went the way of other such efforts in the past. > > I think the time is ripe to start a third party effort - perhaps more than one - but it needs to be done with enough time to properly get on the ballot and prepare for 2012. The odds of winning would be long if not nearly impossible. I do not see such an effort as a one shot effort but something which needs to be nurtured and tended to for several election cycles. I think it needs to be done on a state and local level as well with third party candidates running for all the other offices besides president. > > Perhaps if this went on for a decade or more, we could end up with a very viable and competitive new party looking out for the middle class and their issues. > > On a partisan and selfish note, I supported Obama and expect to support him in 2012. Running somebody like Dobbs - or Palin - or Beck - or anyone who might appeal to the tea party group, would help in the effort to put Obama in for a second term. Splitting the normal GOP vote, much like what was done in NY 23, would be the inspiration for that. > > I fully realize that if I get my wish, in the long run, it could cost the Democrats down the road in future elections. That is why i have admitted up front that my two goals are in somewhat opposition to one another. I thoroughly agree that we need a viable third party. Our main parties are too all-encompassing, and elected officials end up representing people that they may well disagree with strongly on a number of key issues. I disagree with Obama on a number of things, but voted for him because my disagreements with the other party have become so great over the years, it’s no longer the party I recognize. That said: as a native Texan from the Dallas metro area I can tell you with no hesitation that Ross Perot has never been interested in representing ‘the average American’ or the middle class. This is not to take anything away from what he’s done. He was a brilliant businessman and has helped this area a great deal. But when push comes to shove, he’s far more interested in corporate welfare than protecting middle class jobs. He’s racist and has been called on it publicly for his statements in the past. While his economic theory is very sound, his social reform ideas and those like his have taken Texas to very last in quality healthcare in the United States, an unemployment rate of over 10% and one of the greatest disparities in the country between rich and poor with a rapidly diminishing middle class. Ross Perot is no friend of the ‘average American,’ unless by you’re using the euphemism to represent ‘very wealthy (white) businessmen.’ ---
**Author:** ![It\_s\_Not\_Rocket\_Surgery](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/it_s_not_rocket_surgery/32/312_2.png) [@It\_s\_Not\_Rocket\_Surgery](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/It_s_Not_Rocket_Surgery)\ **Post date:** [November 12, 2009, 4:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lou-dobbs-for-president/517306/27 "2009-11-12T16:21:23Z")
> [@Icarus](#): > > I find it fascinating how quickly some folks jump on the “Elect him President!” bandwagon when a third rate cable TV ranter becomes ‘available’. **Geez, do you really think the Presidency of the United States is that easy of a job that a glorified DJ can do it?** After considering some of our past Presidents - Yes! In fact, screw Dobbs. Howard Stern in 2012! ---
**Author:** ![John\_Mace](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/john_mace/32/185_2.png) [@John\_Mace](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_Mace)\ **Post date:** [November 12, 2009, 4:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lou-dobbs-for-president/517306/28 "2009-11-12T16:22:02Z")
> [@Ravenman](#): > > Lou Dobbs is about as viable a candidate as if Ross Perot had run in 2000. Dobbs is a major-league a-hole who alienates anyone but the few who watch his show. The most galling thing his is self-identification as a “defender of the middle class,” when the only thing that he is interested in is really Lou Dobbs. A-freakin’-men. As for him being on FOX, I’m not so sure. He’s more of a left leaning populist. Might be a better fit on MSNBC, but who knows. ---
**Author:** ![Lochdale](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/edb3f5/32.png) [@Lochdale](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lochdale)\ **Post date:** [November 12, 2009, 5:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lou-dobbs-for-president/517306/29 "2009-11-12T17:04:06Z")
I liked him for the fact that he brought the issue of illegal immigration front and center. To me, that’s one of the most important issues facing the country. Beyond that I didn’t have much time for him. He spent far too long on the discredited “birther” issue and tended to descend into easy populism. Not credible as a third-party candidate. ---
**Author:** ![BobLibDem](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/boblibdem/32/3149_2.png) [@BobLibDem](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BobLibDem)\ **Post date:** [November 12, 2009, 7:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lou-dobbs-for-president/517306/30 "2009-11-12T19:12:13Z")
I think on a 0-10 scale of criticality, illegal immigration rates about 0.1. Even if it is more important than I give credit, there’s a difference between raising a legitimate concern and having it be your life’s obsession. I loved Conan’s take: “It’s just been reported that outspoken anti-immigration anchor Lou Dobbs is leaving CNN. He’ll be replaced by a guy named Juan who’ll do the job for $5 an hour.” ---
**Author:** ![Lochdale](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/edb3f5/32.png) [@Lochdale](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lochdale)\ **Post date:** [November 12, 2009, 7:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lou-dobbs-for-president/517306/31 "2009-11-12T19:54:42Z")
> [@BobLibDem](#): > > I think on a 0-10 scale of criticality, illegal immigration rates about 0.1. Even if it is more important than I give credit, there’s a difference between raising a legitimate concern and having it be your life’s obsession. > > I loved Conan’s take: “It’s just been reported that outspoken anti-immigration anchor Lou Dobbs is leaving CNN. He’ll be replaced by a guy named Juan who’ll do the job for $5 an hour.” I disagee entirely. Illegal immigration is a massive issue and he did bring it more into the mainstream debate. That joke in and of itself proves my point. ---
**Author:** ![Sam\_Stone](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ecccb3/32.png) [@Sam\_Stone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sam_Stone)\ **Post date:** [November 12, 2009, 7:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lou-dobbs-for-president/517306/32 "2009-11-12T19:58:32Z")
Lou Dobbs is an idiot who appeals to the worst instincts of both the right and left. His protectionism puts him in bed with left-wing trade unionists, while his ‘birther’ beliefs appeal to the worst elements of the right. His anti-immigration crusade appeals to isolationists, racists, and xenophobes in both parties. He has no coherent political philosophy other than xenophobia sprinkled with paranoia. He should have stayed on CNN, guaranteeing that he’d have the smallest audience possible. ---
**Author:** ![Marley23](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/45deac/32.png) [@Marley23](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Marley23)\ **Post date:** [November 12, 2009, 8:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lou-dobbs-for-president/517306/33 "2009-11-12T20:01:39Z")
Well put, **Sam Stone**. ---
**Author:** ![Death\_of\_Rats](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/a6a055/32.png) [@Death\_of\_Rats](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Death_of_Rats)\ **Post date:** [November 12, 2009, 8:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lou-dobbs-for-president/517306/34 "2009-11-12T20:37:04Z")
> [@Wheelz](#): > > Entertainers have gone on to successful political careers before, including the Presidency, so it’s not necessarily out of the question. > But to shoot \*directly \*for POTUS? Pipe dream. Anybody running for President who’s never held an elected office before is automatic toast. He’d need to set his sights lower first – find a friendly congressional district or something and work his way up. 2016 at the very earliest; 2020 more realistically if anyone is to consider him a viable candidate. Pfft, he takes an 18 month gig as Govenor of Alaska and he is golden. ---
**Author:** ![haymarketmartyr](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/35a633/32.png) [@haymarketmartyr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/haymarketmartyr)\ **Post date:** [November 12, 2009, 9:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lou-dobbs-for-president/517306/35 "2009-11-12T21:42:26Z")
> [@](#): > > Lou Dobbs is an idiot who appeals to the worst instincts of both the right and left. His protectionism puts him in bed with left-wing trade unionists, while his ‘birther’ beliefs appeal to the worst elements of the right. His anti-immigration crusade appeals to isolationists, racists, and xenophobes in both parties. Sounds like just the man to bring the nation together. ---
**Author:** ![ITR\_champion](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/c67d28/32.png) [@ITR\_champion](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ITR_champion)\ **Post date:** [November 13, 2009, 2:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lou-dobbs-for-president/517306/36 "2009-11-13T14:09:11Z")
Personally I’m entirely in favor of it. Ever since [Bill O’Reilly’s political career](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=278229) failed to take off, we’ve had a definite shortage of crazy, racist talking heads in our political system. ---
**Author:** ![Czarcasm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/czarcasm/32/4050_2.png) [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Post date:** [November 13, 2009, 2:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lou-dobbs-for-president/517306/37 "2009-11-13T14:56:13Z")
Perot. Nader. Dobbs. Here’s a thought-why doesn’t someone who _isn’t_ bullgoose looney start a third party for a change? ---
**Author:** ![DanBlather](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/f4b2a3/32.png) [@DanBlather](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DanBlather)\ **Post date:** [November 13, 2009, 3:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lou-dobbs-for-president/517306/38 "2009-11-13T15:10:12Z")
Reporter: Mr. Dobbs, who do you see as your major demographic should you choose to run for office? Dobbs: Depends ---
**Author:** ![wonky](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wonky/32/393_2.png) [@wonky](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wonky)\ **Post date:** [November 13, 2009, 3:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lou-dobbs-for-president/517306/39 "2009-11-13T15:25:05Z")
I think it was about a year ago, maybe longer. I was channel surfing and came across a radio show that I didn’t recognize. The guy started out normal, but eventually segued into all-illegal immigrants all the time. “Gosh,” I said, “given this rhetoric, I’m surprised this isn’t Lou Dobbs.” Well, it was someone filling IN for Lou Dobbs. I would hope a shtick that shtick-y would preclude someone from the presidency. I would hope. ---
**Author:** ![Simplicio](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/c37758/32.png) [@Simplicio](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Simplicio)\ **Post date:** [November 13, 2009, 3:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lou-dobbs-for-president/517306/40 "2009-11-13T15:36:05Z")
> [@jsgoddess](#): > > I would hope a shtick that shtick-y would preclude someone from the presidency. I would hope. Tom Tancredo says yes. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lou-dobbs-for-president/517306.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lou-dobbs-for-president/517306.md?page=3)