CEA's Shapiro to Dobbs: Let's Debate; Nation Refutes Image of Buckling Under Fear

Millions of people watch Lou Dobbs' sad decline into economic demagoguery in silence and with a resigned shake of the head. I am one of them. Thank goodness, the Consumer Electronics Association has a CEO with the...um... guts to take the Pompous One on directly.

CEA's Gary Shapiro challenged Dobbs today:

“I am prepared to debate Lou Dobbs live on his CNN show. His anti-trade comments on his cable show and his refusal to grant equal time to opposing viewpoints are inconsistent with CNN’s great legacy as a pioneering news network. We are hopeful that CNN will wish to retain its credibility and allow equal time for pro-free trade viewpoints. We should not promote a climate of fear. A great nation like the United States isn’t afraid to compete and to win on the international market.”

And, perhaps to the surprise of some politicians who may have written the American people off as sheep herded by a climate of fear and pessimism, CEA also released a poll of 10,000 Americans that said:

- 78 percent of Americans polled agreed that it would be hypocritical for an American news anchor to speak out against international trade while, at the same time, promoting their program overseas and generating advertising revenue from foreign services. More than 50 percent "strongly agreed" that such activity would be hypocritical.

-Nearly 70 percent of those polled either "somewhat" or "strongly" agreed that Dobbs is being "inconsistent" by publicly attacking free trade while promoting himself overseas and generating revenue from foreign sources.

- Of those polled, more than 46 percent agreed with the statement that criticizing international trade "sends the wrong message that the U.S. isn't good enough to compete globally" vs. only 23 percent who agreed with the statement that "criticizing international trade sends the right message because the U.S. actually can't compete globally and needs to protect American jobs."

- Of those polled, more than 50 percent of those polled said that they watched Lou Dobbs' show at least a few times a year.

These Americans polled are remarkably like the CEA members who run small businesses and are dependent on international trade to be successful and hire/retain their employees. After the jump are two videos of small business owners who represent the coming (hopefully) less silent majority...

Beyond 463 client CEA, there are many others who are beginning to chip away at Dobbs' policy of fear...

The Wall Street Journal's Daniel Henniger wrote:

"Lou Dobbs isn't an economist; he's a television performer. As such what Lou is doing would satisfy economic rationalists from Adam Smith to Milton Friedman. 'Exporting America' has little to do with economics but everything to do with Lou Dobbs's economic self-interest. "

Vanity Fair's James Wolcott opined recently:

"If Lou Dobbs were any more full of himself, the tub would overflow. In the autumn resplendence of his telecasting career, Dobbs's self-regard, never meek or slender, has ripened into the pompatus of love. I am Lou, hear me moo..."

The New Yorker takes a peak into what The Man of The People does for lunch...

Regular viewers of “Lou Dobbs Tonight,” on CNN, might be surprised at the venue that Dobbs chose for lunch not long ago: the Grill Room of the Four Seasons, a midtown bastion of the very same political and business “élites” that he denounces daily on his television program. The Four Seasons is the enduring commissary of the Old Guard, where Henry Kissinger waves to the former Citigroup C.E.O. Sandy Weill, there is limo-lock at the side door, and the regulars have their checks sent to the office. Dobbs’s Town Car left him at the door, on East Fifty-second Street, and the restaurant’s co-owner, Julian Nicolini, embraced him that day as warmly as when he welcomed, among others, Stephen Schwarzman, the chairman and C.E.O. of the Blackstone Group; Nelson Peltz, the C.E.O. of Trian Partners; Edgar Bronfman, Sr., the former chairman and C.E.O. of Seagram; and Mortimer Zuckerman, the real-estate developer and publisher of the News. Nicolini led Dobbs to one of five choice banquettes, and Dobbs settled in, looking very much at home.

And, my favorite, the Washington Post's Gene Weingarten talks about his favorite comedy show...

Now, if you're thinking: "Hey, wait a minute, that's not a comedy show! That's a serious look at world affairs hosted by a dignified, award-winning journalist," then you either:

1) do not watch the show, or

2) are Lou Dobbs.

He adds:

Lou used to be an actual newsman, but then, some years ago, he apparently realized that whenever he expressed outrage over illegal immigration or outsourcing of jobs -- hot-button issues among the xenophobically inclined -- his viewership climbed. Like a pigeon in a box who gets rewarded with a corn kernel every time he flaps a designated wing, Lou was soon just one big madly flapping right wing....

..."Lou Dobbs Tonight" can sneak up on you, like a pirate ship not flying its true colors. At first, it appears to be a normal talk show in a familiar format, with nicely dressed men and women in swivel chairs speaking in pleasant, professional altos and baritones. But then odd things begin to happen. A typical segment on "Lou Dobbs Tonight" includes an interview with some newsmaker who agrees with Lou entirely on every issue, so the conversations tend to go like this:

Lou: What in the world is wrong with these politicians who want to send manufacturing jobs to China? What are they, idiots?

Newsmaker: "Idiots" is too good a word for them, Lou. They're vomit sandwiches on whole wheat toast.

Lou: Vomit? At least vomit has nutrients in it! They're feces on an onion bagel!

Newsmaker: Feces? Feces is too good a . . .

We look forward to the comedy ending for a brief segment and a serious debate between Shapiro and Dobbs. We hope that Lou can find it in him to turn the laugh track off for a night.

(Photo credit goes to the National Association of Manufacturers who found the gem and posted it to their blog. They, btw, have been running a "Dobbs Watch" for a couple years now. The NAM folks ran a caption contest for the photo. Feel free to pile on here. One suggestion from the 463 peanut gallery: "Sorry, Mr. Dobbs, that life-saving medical device can't be used. It was created in Japan."

Comments

[J.D.]

Lou Dobbs 2008!

[Amandaelectronics]

There are a few area that should have been cut years ago such as benefits for people who clearly do not need them.

[Cheap Coach Bags]

Cheap Coach Bags

[Mhamed]

I think yer gonna be angry for a while my friend!I\'ve been angry for a few years now, LOL!I think the only way I don\'t loose my cpoelmte little mind is to be as involved as I can be -But sitting back and watching my town become a third world nation is sickening to me.The beautiful homes and ma and pa stores are all gone now; replaced with Mexican stores wherethey only speak Spanish.Neighborhoods that used to be settled for generations are disappearing at warp speed; beingreplaced by over crowded homes looking like trash. No upkeep; no maintenance; no grass cutting;garbage stacked on the sides of the homes; windows smashed; vehicles parked everywhere, replacingthe green grass that used to grow so lushly.Parties every weekend; blaring Mexican music; drunk mexicans SO drunk they can\'t even walk straight;we watch them as they climb behind the wheel of their illegal vehicles and take off onto the publicroads. When they do have accident\'s they merely flee the scene; after all, who can track them down?They are here illegally. False registions; no insurance; false driver\'s licenses. Its a never endingscene that seems to develop daily and grow even worse each night that passes us by.I used to enjoy walking down our Main Street and window shopping, or stopping in for little knickknacks; or popping in at the bakery for some goodies to take home. Not anymore I am continuallyharassed if I dare to walk down that same street with my beautiful daughters. They have no respectfor me or for them. I\'m afraid to be in the same area with them. I don\'t know who they are; where theyare from; if they are escaped criminals; killers, rapists, molesters I cannot risk my children beinganywhere near them; so we avoid Main Street now I don\'t even go to the local Supermarket anymore either I drive clear into the next town over to gofood shopping. I used to go to the local one; but while shopping, we would see the mexican ladieslicking their fingers and then touching the fresh corn and other fruits and vegies. I felt sick to mystomach! I ran out of that store and have never once gone back! I don\'t feel safe shopping there anymore.I drive two towns over to do any clothes shopping or other things I may need because I refuse toshop in Lakewood anymore. Its dirty, trashy, crowded with so many illegals, and the majority of themthat are all over the street corners, drinking and just hanging out are MEN.Our beautiful parks here, Lake Shenandoah and Ocean County Park used to be so lovely. I wouldspend a great deal of time there with our three children. They practically grew up there. Our naturewalks; talking our dog there; enjoying the beautiful fall colors, duck watching. But now, we can\'t.I haven\'t been able to take them there for a couple of years now. Its been completley taken overby the huge number of illegals. The grass, which used to be so pretty and green, has now beendestroyed because they have turned it into a soccer field!! The trash and Corona bottles and bottlecaps litter the entire park area. They take over the basketball hoops and park everywhere, even onthe grass entrance ways. They blast their music there and walk all over the trails we used to enjoy.We find rubbers, beer containers, and bottles filled with urine that they leave behind. Not to mentionthe huge amount of trash they leave. They never seem to be able to leave anywhere CLEAN.So the anger you feel my friend, you will feel for a long time. I don\'t think anyone in power has anyplans on getting rid of the scum that has invaded our land.With the numbers as they are; and there not pretty; 48,000 American citizens have been killed byillegals since 9/11 and only 27,279 American soldiers have died in the Iragi war Whats wrongwith this picture? And why in God\'s Name isn\'t Washington doing anything about it????We need help here in Lakewood and a lot of it warm regards,diane diane (Quote)

[Roselyn]

Hey Lone Protester;I\'m writing from lakoweod NJ home to OVER 25,000 illegal aliens and counting!! I\'ve been a lone protester now for nearly four years! Standing out on our main street snapping pics of the contractors picking up the illegals its disgusting, they are destroying this town and nobody in power, gives a darn!!I\'ve been called every name in the book dude; thats all these folks have to go with. They aren\'t smart enough to realize that this country is going and going fast.Rewarding the scum that crosses our borders illegally and DEMANDING rights!! As if they had any! These folks drink waaaaaaaaay too much; they are all living in a fantasy world!REWARD ME I\'ve been paying taxes for decades They\'re coming here and having dozens of anchor babies each; getting food stamps, and anything else they can, off the backs of american taxpayers. Closes hospitals, ruining our public school systems and destroying any semblance of quality of life here! Are they kiddin me!???Did you know that, to date, since 9/11 over 48,000 American citizens have been killed by illegals?! Did you know that only 27,279 American soldiers have been killed in the Iragi War? Whats wrong with this picture?!!!They are killing off Americans over 12 every single day folks!! Let one touch MY family and trust me, you won\'t need to worry about those pesky court dates and trial -Enough is Enough!!WAKE UP AMERICA!!!Get off your butts and take this country back! Turn off the TV and do something! Folks like me are sick to death of doing is alone! diane (Quote)

[Rocio]

Yes, Rhodes' comment was what was known as "sarcastic."It's liratery device that some people use sometimes. You folks should look into it.Okay, I'll give. It wasn't 100% sarcastic. There was a germ of truth in there. The germ is: let's (partly) solve our illegal immigration woes by building up the economy in Mexico, generally speaking. Then fewer people will immigate illegally. I understand that most of the people who immigrate to the U.S. illegally are NOT highly educated and tend to take low skill jobs. She's talking in generalities here, which isn't necessarily an awful thing to do.But still, Randi's point is a very good one. Illegal immigration to this country is driving down wages, causing fewer people to earn a living wage, gutting our middle class, and putting some strain on our public systems, including health care. The fact the Randi used a glib comment to make her point is appropriate, since she is a PUNDIT on the radio, and part of her function, though not all of it, is entertainment. Do you all get that or not?