Lou Dobbs is back on the air — this time on Fox

Lou Dobbs was a central and almost constant presence at CNN from its founding in 1980 until his final departure in November 2009.

By then, he and his views had become more openly political, outspoken and even confrontational. His closing statement on CNN's "Lou Dobbs Tonight" left many observers believing he might run for president.

Dobbs returned to television earlier last week with an hourlong weeknight program, also called "Lou Dobbs Tonight," on Fox Business Network. He continues his nationally syndicated Lou Dobbs Show radio program and an active website.

The 65-year-old Texas-born broadcaster spoke with the Chronicle about the show, the economy and his plans for the future. Following are edited excerpts:

Q: Congratulations on your new show. It appears the focus will be how the day's news affects the economy and individual taxpayers.

A: Thank you very much. We are trying to bring the intersection of business and politics to our audience each night, with considerable analysis and perspective. To provide that perspective for investors, for taxpayers, for citizens and for those who want to be assured that their quality of life is a principal priority for the broadcast.

Q: What do you see as the most important issue harming American taxpayers?

A: The most important, in my judgment, is restoring prosperity to this country — obviously a very difficult challenge that requires a public policy response, that requires business leadership and requires energy on the part of voters to make certain that is the focus of our public officials. It's stunning, to many, to find that job creation and the creation of wealth and prosperity is not the No. 1 objective of all politicians, irrespective of their party affiliation.

Q: If we have a federal government shutdown, what will be the effect?

A: If we were to have a shutdown, we know that it wouldn't affect those who depend on Social Security. It wouldn't affect critical services, and we do know that we would have to pay taxes either way. So I'm not sure a shutdown of the federal government is the worst tragedy we could imagine. I think that would be reserved for the case if we keep spending money in the tremendous sums we are, if we continue to permit our government to grow unchecked and our politicians to spend as if we were a vastly wealthy nation, not the world's largest debtor nation.

Q: Two issues closely associated with you are immigration and the North American Free Trade Agreement. Will you focus on them?

A: We are going to focus on it as news dictates. Issues that affect the quality of life in this country, the standard of living, are obviously important to our audience, and we will be addressing them.

Q: If we are serious about dealing with the national deficit, what should lawmakers in Washington be prepared to cut?

A: First and foremost, I think, they should be prepared to cut entitlements. I know that puts me in the minority, but I don't think we can be honest and effective in cutting the federal government without taking on all the unfunded liabilities represented by Medicare and Social Security and Medicaid. We've got to come to terms with that.

Q:Is the Middle East turmoil the cause of the oil prices going up, or a convenient excuse?