I wouldn't necessarily say this is the most cynical flip-flop in political history, but it is certainly breathtakingly brazen:
Former CNN anchor Lou Dobbs, pondering a future in politics, is trying to wipe away his image as an enemy of Latino immigrants by positioning himself as a champion of that fast-growing ethnic bloc.
Mr. Dobbs, who left the network last week, has said in recent days that he is considering a third-party run for a New Jersey Senate seat in 2012, or possibly for president. Polls show voters unhappy with both parties, and strategists believe Mr. Dobbs could tap populist anger over economy issues just as Ross Perot did in the 1990s.
First, though, Mr. Dobbs is working to repair what a spokesman conceded is a glaring flaw: His reputation for antipathy toward Latino immigrants. In a little-noticed interview Friday, Mr. Dobbs told Spanish-language network Telemundo he now supports a plan to legalize millions of undocumented workers, a stance he long lambasted as an unfair "amnesty."
Well, good luck on tapping that "populist anger," which is directed in large part at the shifty sleazeballs in politics who say whatever a particular group wants to hear just to get their votes. Might as well join Ross on the political bargain bin, Lou.
Comments
I need to say this carefully, just in case Tim hasn't taken his sedatives yet, but I really thought that Lou's turn to the right would land him a job with Fox news. Apparently he's too weird even for them.
I remember a year or two ago when people began sarcastically suggesting Dobbs should run for office. Like most boneheads, Lou doesn't get sarcasm. He treated the suggestion seriously, and apparently still does.
Run, Lou, run.
Leo:
If Lou showed any antipathy, it was NOT for Latino immigrants, but rather those ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS (that may or may not have "happened to be" Latino) crossing our borders and skirting our LAWS.
...Just to set the record straight.
(slide over Ross)
Ol' Lou pretty much got "palinized" by the rest of his "colleagues" in the media. He really made no nasty or racist remarks at all (if you have any examples please cite links), he just offered a platform for those Americans that want real immigration enforcement. You know, that silly notion that you should follow the basic steps of LEGAL entry into a country like the rest of the worlds countries do. It never was a "rocket science" issue, but rather a simple one made inflammatory by Democrats (and a handful of RINOS) looking for votes plain and simple.
As long as the Democrats can keep half the voters from having to pay taxes, continue to offer them free or subsidized everything, from cars, to houses, jobs, food, etc...and then toss in 12 million or so grateful illegals, they'll "rule" forever.
I'm not the biggest Lou Dobbs fan out there, but he's not what they've made him out be. He got hosed just like any other contrarian to the liberal way does. SOP
But, Tim and Bob, he's now in the "I was just kidding" mode. I don't care HOW he's been treated by the media, he can't just go from "illegal immigration is bad" to "I will help you get legalized" and be anything but a panderer. There are enough of them walking around with our votes in their pockets.
How short our memories are. I remember when conservatives like Tim and Bob got the vapors and had to clutch the draperies when they saw flip-flopping. I have an odd picture of John Kerry wind-surfing in my mind. Can't imagine where I saw such a thing...
Back up the bus boys, I never addressed the alleged "flip flop". My train of thought (before my meds Littljohn) was only on his mistreatment by his colleagues.
As for the flip flop, In reading the artice in Leo's link, I don't yet see an about face of any kind. He lightly tuchd on "legalization" with the caveat of "under certain conditions" which leves im a whole lotta latitude....
It may not be as "brazen" a pander as you think Leo, the majority of that story is not realy Dobbs speaking (2 sentences maybe) the rest issupposition on the writers part and qutes from other people.
Tim: All kidding aside, do you really like that guy? He comes across as Glen Beck 30 minutes after the Thorazine kicks in. I have no idea where he actually stands on anything, except he thinks a great deal of himself.