CNN Anchor Dobbs Quits Cable Network After 27 Years

Dobbs, whose ratings declined after the 2008 presidential race, announced his departure on last night’s show. John King will host a daily political program at 7 p.m., CNN said today. Dobbs, 64, said he will weigh options and continue to discuss immigration, the economy and the middle class.

The anchor has been a CNN fixture since the 24-hour news channel began operating in 1980. He took a hiatus from 1999 to 2001 to start the Web site space.com. In recent years, “Lou Dobbs Tonight” has focused less on business than its predecessor “Moneyline” and more on the economic impact of trade, immigration and the loss of middle-class jobs in the U.S.

“Unfortunately, these issues are now defined in the public arena by partisanship and ideology rather than by rigorous, empirical thought and forthright analysis and discussion,” Dobbs said on the air. “I’ll be working diligently to change that as best I can.”

Jonathan Klein, president of Time Warner Inc.-owned CNN, released the commentator from his contract to seek other opportunities, said Dobbs, noting he is the last of the network’s original anchors.