The word now is that Lou Dobbs, the former CNN loudmouth — and native of Childress — is pondering a run for president in 2012. That’s president of the United States of America.

Hoo … boy.

It’s one thing for someone with lots of opinions to bloviate on the air about what’s wrong (in his view) with the country. It’s quite another for that someone to translate all that hot air into solid policy and then demonstrate actual leadership.

Dobbs quit his CNN anchor job recently. His announcement was a surprise. But it apparently was welcomed warmly by Hispanic groups that had grown weary of Dobbs’ incessant haranguing over illegal immigration. The guy had gone through a remarkable transformation — from fairly non-descript business reporter to snarling pundit. He thus joined the ranks of Olbmermann, O’Reilly, Hannity, Maddow, Beck and heaven knows who else out there shilling for whatever cause gets their dander up.

But this guy wants to take it a step further … maybe.

I can hear it now. “Well, Ronald Reagan was a B actor before he entered public office,” some will say. Sure enough. But he did serve two successful terms as governor of California before running for the White House in 1980. And The Gipper’s presidency turned out just fine.

Dobbs doesn’t have that kind of credibility.

I hope the ex-Panhandle resident thinks better of it all.