| 11.30.07|
Debates & Pickets
The debates between candidates for the Democratic and Republican Presidential nominations have been interesting news… and not so much for what is being said on stage.
First the YouTube/CNN hosted debate for Republican candidates went as expected: CNN showed its extreme bias by picking Clinton campaign advisors to ask loaded questions, and the selection of questions from YouTube were very much of the “when did you last beat your wife” category. Is anyone at CNN still scratching their heads as to why Fox News Channel has been kicking their butts for several years now? It goes to show many in the media’s perception that the only time there is media bias is when any view that is not their own is presented. The GOP Candidates should collectively pass on any future CNN events or interviews.
Second is word today that CBS News is canceling a scheduled debate in Los Angeles on December 10th because of the writers’ strike. Now my first reaction (like yours) was, makes sense since the pre-fed questions to the candidates cannot have available scripted answers with the writers on the picket line, but that evidently is not the reason. The reason cited by CBS News is that the candidates would not cross a threatened Writers Guild picket line outside the studio. Fearing holding a debate with no candidates inside the studio but standing on the curb waiting for a break in the line to get through, CBS has decided to cancel the debate. So democracy by picket lines can be expected if one of the Democrats wins in 2008?
Why do the candidates, who need to get their messages out to the public, not issue a statement to the effect of, while they are sympathetic to the writers’ positions and their strike they will not have national political discourse disrupted by their strike. The debate questions are not written by Writers’ Guild members but by writers in the news department—separate union—and certainly the answers are not written... right? I would understand if Hillary or Obama or one of the other candidates were to not show up on Leno or some other program that uses Guild talent (if they were in production) to honor their picket line, but a news production should be unaffected. These debates should go on. If need be, move the December 10th debate from Los Angeles to some other city in the country where the writers will not threaten to mass for a picket line. Anchorage? Walla-Walla? Irvine?
By stating they will not cross the writers’ threatened picket line the Democratic candidates are sending a poor message to Americans as to their strength against special interests and what can and will sway their decision making. If one of them is elected to the White House and striking Federal Employees set up a picket line in front of 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue, would they go to work? Far fetched I know, but you get the idea; if they are not willing to cross a picket line from an unrelated industry in order to campaign for President, what will their actions be if actually elected?
As I stated in a previous post (Show Them The Money), I support the writers’ in their position of residuals from DVDs, internet and other yet to be discovered media showing their work. That said they should stand aside and let America, and the world, listen to “unscripted” messages and comments from Presidential candidates. Freedom of speech is one of our most treasured rights, the writers should let the country know they honor that freedom as well and let us hear from those who may one day be defending that right for us.
Your thoughts welcome, click here to email me or on “Leave A Comment” below for public response.
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Dennis said:
Eric: Thanks for your comments. It appears too easy for everyone to blame someone else in this scenario and in the end no one looks good and the American voter is the one missing out. Certainly the writers can recognize the importance of the debate and agree not to picket to let it move forward and certainly CBS can move the location--nothing like hiding from an unsightly strike photo-op! But most certainly one or more of the candidates can show some leadership and willingness to stand up and say, "this is wrong. We need this debate to allow Americans to make an informed decision." No one willing to take a lead role to ensure the debate happens reflects poorly on all parties. Thanks again for your comments and for reading My Front Porch.
Eric Bradley said:
Dennis,
Candidates for the Democratic Nomination are very much aware of the symbolism of the picket line. By stating that they won't cross the picket line, they are sending a very strong message to Democratic Voters across this country-- that Democrats stand with working men and women and will honor the Writers Guild of America’s job action.
Dennis, this debate was doomed by CBS, not the candidates, nor the Democratic Party. Many attempts were made to have the debate at different venues. When a deal to have the debate moved to UCLA fell through, the network pulled the plug. CBS is blaming this on production costs of having the event out of their studios, but the real reason is that the network also wants to send a message-- we producers won’t let our only Presidential debate this year be allowed to become a bargaining chip on the negotiating table.
It is a shame that we won’t be seeing Joe Biden, Hillary Clinton, Chris Dodd, John Edwards, Dennis Kucinich, Barack Obama and Bill Richardson one more time on stage in L.A. before the Iowa caucus meetings. We have a great group of candidates, for sure. I’m sure we will see them again before February 5.
Sincerely,
Eric Bradley, California Democratic Party Controller
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