[indianstory]

CNN host lets talk go on of a possible run
Dobbs for N.J. governor?

Thursday, June 12, 2008
BY JOSH MARGOLIN
Star-Ledger Staff

It's a hot topic in Republican political and fundraising circles: CNN's Lou Dobbs is thinking of running for governor of New Jersey.

Several well-connected Republicans say they've heard the buzz that Dobbs, famous for his sharp commentary about Washington policies and politics, may be turning his sights on Trenton and has inquired about the steps necessary to start a campaign.

Reached by telephone yesterday morning at his home -- a 300-acre horse farm in Wantage, Sussex County -- Dobbs would not say whether he has any such plans. Asked if he wanted to deny it, Dobbs said, "I'm just not going to comment."

It is not the first time Dobbs, the host and managing editor of CNN's "Lou Dobbs Tonight," has been touted as a potential candidate. Around New Year's, his name was floated as a possible independent candidate for president, but he never entered the fray. In an interview with the Wall Street Journal in January, he downplayed the idea of entering politics but said, "I cannot say 'never.'"

Dobbs, 62, first registered to vote in Sussex County in 1991 as a Republican, then switched to independent in 2006, according to the county Board of Elections.

State Republican chairman Tom Wilson said Dobbs' interest in the Garden State's governorship is circulating among Republican officials and fundraisers in Manhattan and Washington. Several told The Star-Ledger they had heard about it, although not directly from Dobbs.

"It's certainly a fun and interesting rumor," said Wilson, "but if he's seriously interested, he'd be better off talking to people who actually live in New Jersey and who know what it takes to mount a campaign for governor."

Wilson, who managed the 1997 re-election campaign of Gov. Christie Whitman, said that if Dobbs is thinking about running for the GOP nomination, "the first thing he should do is register as a Republican."

Dobbs is a Texas native, has written or co-written four books, hosts a syndicated radio show and has an economics degree from Harvard University. He was one of the original personalities who launched CNN in 1980.

In recent years, Dobbs has gained a new level of fame as a self-described "independent populist" and "advocacy journalist." He has railed against illegal immigration and American foreign policy and in support of the border fence between the United States and Mexico.

Wilson said there is someone whom Republican leaders in New Jersey would like to see run for governor, "and right now it's not Lou Dobbs, it's Chris Christie," the U.S. attorney for New Jersey.

David Norcross, a Republican National Committee member from New Jersey and an acquaintance of Dobbs, said it would be a "dreadful idea" for Dobbs to run.

Norcross said he worries Dobbs would turn the governor's race into a platform for his worldview and the national and international issues he highlights on TV. "He ought to just stick to raising hell on issues on his TV show and leave New Jersey alone," Norcross said.

Talk of potential challenges to Gov. Jon Corzine has picked up in recent days. The Star-Ledger reported this week that the Democratic incumbent has started fund-raising for a 2009 race.

A poll released yesterday by Quinnipiac University show Corzine's approval rating remains depressed -- 38 percent, versus 52 percent who say they disapprove of the job he's doing. The survey has a margin of error of 2.6 percent.

Corzine said he's not surprised at those numbers in the midst of the state's budget struggles: "When dealing with a lot of difficult choices, I can understand why people are upset."


Staff writer John Mooney contributed to this report.

[larentont]

Dobbs, on CNN, doesn't confirm or deny interest in running for governor

by Josh Margolin/The Star-Ledger Thursday June 12, 2008, 9:16 PM

CNN's Lou Dobbs said tonight he would talk to people interested in seeing him run for New Jersey governor -- but he did not confirm or deny that he wants to be a candidate.


AP file photo
CNN business news anchor Lou Dobbs addresses the media Tuesday, April 10, 2001, in New York.

The 62-year-old self-proclaimed "advocacy journalist" said in a brief interview on his network that he is "trying to figure out what the heck is going on" and would have more to say "after I talk with all the exploration committees that have been at work across the state." He did not elaborate.

The Star-Ledger reported this morning that a number of well-connected Republicans said they've heard Dobbs, who is not affiliated with either party, may be turning his sights on Trenton and has inquired about the steps necessary to start a campaign.

Dobbs originally declined to comment on the idea of running for governor, but tonight he was asked about the political chatter by fellow CNN personality Wolf Blitzer.

"Never do I say never and I will say that again," Dobbs said. "But at the same time I have been pretty clear ... I haven't exactly got the temperament for politics to put up with these folks who require great patience."

Republicans quickly dismissed the notion of a Dobbs candidacy, as most state GOP leaders continue rallying around a potential run by U.S. Attorney Christopher Christie.

Democrat Jon Corzine is in the third year of his term and has said he has "every intention" of seeking re-election next year. State Democratic Party spokesman Richard McGrath said today Corzine will "be in a strong position for re-election no matter whom the Republicans nominate. But the other Republican candidates might want to get equal time on CNN if Mr. Dobbs runs."

[VistaULTIMATEdownloadaPro]

Lou Dobbs' only qualification is a very big head. He always looks like he just had 2 large portions of meatloaf or has worked as a volunteer taster at a local beer plant.

[Diwokfkq]

I've heard that Dobbs and Donald Trump were separated at birth.

[erubresen]

Lou Dobbs seems from afar to be a one-note, or at best, handful-of-issues person. Arguably, if it were not for television, he would not receive any serious consideration for elective office.

But history causes us to pause. What about Fred Grandy, a person whom for nine seasons played a character named "Go-for" or "Go-fer" on the mindless television series known as The Love Boat? Mr. Gandy managed to win a seat in the U.S. House of Representatives. And much to my surprise, I discovered that Mr. Grandy also held a BA from Harvard, just like Mr. Dobbs. Or what about the more incredulous Arnold Schwarzenegger, or perhaps Ronald Reagan, both becoming Governors of California? All three of these people, shall we say, were "glorified" actors, although their supporters will claim much more. But even a glorified actor had one-up on Mr. Dobbs, or so it appears.

You see, Mr. Dobbs is often described as lacking "charisma". I read similar things about celebrated Astronaut, John Glenn, when he first ran for and then won the position of Senator from Ohio.

Although I could say definitively I would never be a partisan in Lou Dobbs' behalf, it must be noted in fairness to him, that he has actually worked in government before, and has a considerably agile mind regarding financial matters that confront the nation.

At 62, and known for his quick temper, Mr. Dobbs could be said to vaguely resemble, let's say, a John McCain type politician. Oh my ... I have used a dirty word in that recently sculpted Lou Dobbs world - "politician". Specifically, Mr. Dobbs has railed for sometime against "the politicians" as if they were a group that he totally despised for their compromises, double-speak, and lack of vision. And what is that we hear of late from him - that he will "not confirm or deny" his interest in running for Governor? That sounds like what a politician would say. ... There I go again.

Interesting how "hypocrisy" is often defined from without.