The impending strike by newswriters is already impacting the Democratic nomination campaign, and could even scratch the scheduled CBS debate if not settled, as candidates vow to honor all picket lines. Brooks Boliek has the story for Reuters' Hollywood Reporter:
The writers strike is threatening to put on ice the December 10 Democratic presidential debate hosted by CBS News as the party's front-runners say that they won't cross a picket line.The strike also is cooling the ardor of the candidates and their spouses to appear on ABC's "The View," as the candidates and their spouses are refusing to cross the picket line to make appearances on the talker.
In separate statements or interviews before the Thanksgiving holiday, the three front-runners said that they will honor picket lines set up by the CBS newswriters if they go on strike. The candidates also appeared willing to honor picket lines set up by the Writers Guild of America.
The newswriters' union has authorized a strike but has not yet called for a work stoppage.
Read the whole story at the link above. The unions hold a political hammerlock on the Democrats - without the huge financial and in-kind contributions from the unions, far fewer Democrats would have been elected to federal office over the past several decades. Part of this power is evidenced by the modern "requirement" that Democratic candidates "honor" any union picket line anywhere.
While the newswriters may have legitimate disputes over their contracts (the screenwriters certainly do), they hardly fit the image of hard-working factory laborers - or even low-wage discount chain employees - on the picket lines. Still, no Democrat who failed to bow to the Picket Line would long be a viable candidate for the Party's nomination.
One might suppose that, given the importance of the Presidential election to unions and their members, candidates might receive a dispensation to attend the televised debate - but one would be wrong.
Permalink | E-mail This | Technorati Links | Sphere: Related Content | Digg this! | FARK It!
Filed under:
2008 Presidential Race, Democrats, Elections, Media, Politics, Unions
Tags: Democrats, labor, Presidential campaign, unions
Comments (10)
You just know Hillary is ho... (Below threshold)1. Posted by MagicalPat | November 27, 2007 3:34 PM | Score: 1 (3 votes cast)
You just know Hillary is hoping this strike lasts long enough to cancel out all the remaining debates.
1. Posted by MagicalPat | November 27, 2007 3:34 PM |
Score: 1 (3 votes cast)
Posted on November 27, 2007 15:34
2. Posted by DANEgerus | November 27, 2007 4:10 PM | Score: 2 (4 votes cast)
The real reason is that the Clinton(D) campaign needs those writers for their plants.
2. Posted by DANEgerus | November 27, 2007 4:10 PM |
Score: 2 (4 votes cast)
Posted on November 27, 2007 16:10
3. Posted by Farmer Joe | November 27, 2007 4:11 PM | Score: 2 (4 votes cast)
I'd be happy to scab on this one.
3. Posted by Farmer Joe | November 27, 2007 4:11 PM |
Score: 2 (4 votes cast)
Posted on November 27, 2007 16:11
4. Posted by nogo war | November 27, 2007 4:17 PM | Score: -8 (10 votes cast)
The difference is these candidates support Americans trying to make their life better while a Republican President whom for years with a Republican Senate and House encouraged a flow of illegal immigrants to provide cheap labor and higher profit.
Maybe you do not mind being ripped off. Maybe you feel sorry for the struggling management companies.
As for boycotts...what happened to that FOX Republican debate?
You all play the management knows best card in 2008.
Republican highlights are Denny H and Lott cutting and running.
I posted because the moonbat signal appeared in the clear Colorado sky.
4. Posted by nogo war | November 27, 2007 4:17 PM |
Score: -8 (10 votes cast)
Posted on November 27, 2007 16:17
5. Posted by marc | November 27, 2007 4:24 PM | Score: 3 (5 votes cast)
nogo - "The difference is these candidates support Americans trying to make their life better while a Republican President whom for years with a Republican Senate and House encouraged a flow of illegal immigrants to provide cheap labor and higher profit.
Of course illegals NEVER came flooding across the border prior to 2000.
oh... wait.... I'm thinking like nogo.
For SHAME!
5. Posted by marc | November 27, 2007 4:24 PM |
Score: 3 (5 votes cast)
Posted on November 27, 2007 16:24
6. Posted by ac1 | November 27, 2007 4:25 PM | Score: 1 (3 votes cast)
If you can't show solidarity with the people who brought us "According to Jim," who can you?
6. Posted by ac1 | November 27, 2007 4:25 PM |
Score: 1 (3 votes cast)
Posted on November 27, 2007 16:25
7. Posted by _Mike_ | November 27, 2007 5:20 PM | Score: 1 (3 votes cast)
nogo postal war:
Pigeons? Or winged pigs ? It's an important distinction.
7. Posted by _Mike_ | November 27, 2007 5:20 PM |
Score: 1 (3 votes cast)
Posted on November 27, 2007 17:20
8. Posted by Stephen Macklin | November 27, 2007 10:06 PM | Score: 2 (2 votes cast)
I'm a little confused. Do they need sitcom writers for the questions and drama writers for the answers or dramatists for the questions and comedy writers for the answers?
Sometimes it's hard to tell.
8. Posted by Stephen Macklin | November 27, 2007 10:06 PM |
Score: 2 (2 votes cast)
Posted on November 27, 2007 22:06
9. Posted by wavemaker | November 27, 2007 10:41 PM | Score: 1 (1 votes cast)
WHAT?!?!? You mean Jim Moran doesn't write his own material? You mean he isn't capable of writing his own material? Is he even literate?
9. Posted by wavemaker | November 27, 2007 10:41 PM |
Score: 1 (1 votes cast)
Posted on November 27, 2007 22:41
10. Posted by wavemaker | November 28, 2007 6:51 AM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
Er, I mean Terry Moran.
10. Posted by wavemaker | November 28, 2007 6:51 AM |
Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
Posted on November 28, 2007 06:51