ALIPAC Dumps Dobbs

Lou Dobbs and Americans for Legal Immigration – ALIPAC – are divorcing, and the parting isn’t amicable. ALIPAC President William Gheen has notified supporters that his organization has withdrawn its support of Dobbs and suspended two websites promoting the former CNN showman for president.

In a lengthy E-mail, the heartsick nativist said it was “painful” to realize he misjudged Dobbs, and that ALIPAC hopes to “put this painful episode behind us.” Gheen added contritely, “We apologize to our supporters for being wrong about Dobbs.”

It was a TV interview Dobbs did Nov. 20 on Telemundo’s Al Rojo Vivo that tore the bloom off the ALIPAC-Dobbs romance. Dobbs told interviewer Maria Celeste that “we need the ability to legalize illegal immigrants under certain conditions” and proclaimed himself one of the Latino’s community’s “greatest friends.”

Aghast, Gheen posted a video of the entire interview for his supporters, asked them to view it and polled them on their sentiments. Large majorities said they were upset with several of Dobbs’ statements, such as his promise to compromise with amnesty supporters.

Perhaps hoping to win back the affections of his formerly fawning fan, Dobbs invited Gheen to be on his national radio show on Nov. 30. Dobbs denied he has changed his position on illegal immigration, saying he has been “entirely consistent” over the years. Gheen remained unconvinced.

Now ALIPAC has notified visitors to the Lou Dobbs for President website it created that it has withdrawn its support for the bellicose broadcaster. The same action was taken on a Facebook page boosting a Dobbs candidacy for president or the U.S. Senate.

ALIPAC had received pledges of more than $670,000 from people who said they would support a Dobbs presidential bid. Now they are removing those pledges in droves, Gheen said.

“Lou Dobbs has deeply offended his base of supporters and ALIPAC is going to remain loyal to those Americans who support our existing immigration laws instead of Amnesty disguised as reform,” Gheen said on the Lou Dobbs for President website. In his E-mail to supporters, Gheen added, “Dobbs is destroying any chances he may have had for a successful run for public office.”