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So this bitchslapping contest has been developing all day. Best if I just give you the dueling statements. CBS issued theirs tonight and it's a doozie:
"Two weeks ago, CBS officials, in an effort of cooperation, contacted the WGA leadership and asked them to suspend the picketing for just a couple of hours on December 10 so the Democratic presidential debate could go on and the democratic process could be served. Our request was met with silence. Their statement today clearly misrepresents our attempt to have a civil discourse with the Guild so that this event of national importance could proceed."
That was in response to this WGA statement earlier today:
"The Writers Guild of America, East and the Writers Guild of America, West regret that the Democratic National Committee has had to cancel the December 10th Presidential Debate hosted by CBS. This was triggered by CBS' fear that the Democratic candidates would not cross a picket line by WGA-CBS News writers or WGA Film and TV writers to participate in the debate – a concern that could have been avoided entirely if CBS would simply sit down and negotiate a fair contract for its news and entertainment employees. Instead, CBS chose to make a decision that stifles the democratic process."
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….two weeks ago asked the Guild to suspend the picketing? That was before there was even a strike authorization vote by the newswriters, much less a strike itself.
Edwards, for instance, said “if the CBS writers go out on strike, I will not participate in that debate.”
Turns out the debate can be somewhere else, if the candidates want it to happen. Cry me a river, CBS. You reap what you sow.
I would find it hilarious if CBS actually asked the WGA to suspend the picketing. Hey, I hear the Broadway producers tried the same thing with the stagehands. “Seriously, guys, just suspend the picketing for a few hours, say between 6 and 8:30. This picketing is really interfering with patrons’ ability to file into the theatre. Oh, that is the point? Damn.”
It doesn’t have anything to do the news writers, it’s about crossing the actual line at the actual CBS studio where the debate was to be taped.
Why would they think the WGA would be helpful in this? They don’t care about the thousands of people out of work, they’re certainly not going to care about a debate.
Oh, horrors! What will America DO? The 57th, bi-weekly Democratic debate CANCELLED?! HOW will we ever decide?! Could there possibly be any time left in the calendar for another DEBATE?! Poor, poor America. Sad, sad CBS. People might actually have to READ something!
Look if you are going to let Liz have her AIDS event I understand and think that’s cool, cause that’s something above the fray. So is this. This is a huge blow to democracy!
I have supported the WGA in every move, until this one.
I strongly disagree with the WGA using this Debate which is of the utmost national importance as leverage.
I am sure large number of the Union members who support Clinton also realize the positive effect this will have on her, not having to Debate before the Iowa voting in JAN. I am not saying they did this on purpose for that, but it’s frosting on the cake of collusion .
THE DNC should move the venue and make sure we get another debate and every Pres. runner should clear the schedule and show up. Nothing is more important than talking to us if you want us to vote for you.
As for the Union you have sooooo much time before to pull a usefull stunt like this that didn’t effect so much harmful collateral damage to parties that are not involved.
I can just chuck this up to THE FOG OF WAR the WGA is in. They know not what they do and if they do, shame on them.
Nowhere has the WGA even said they were going to picket the debate — which is still two weeks away.
And lest anyone forget: the news writers aren’t even on strike! They might be on 12/10, but they might not be. Who knows.
CBS is spazzing out. They should settle with the news writers and I bet this would all go away.
Gee, I wonder who is in the wrong here. Personally I would choose CBS because if their entertainment and news writers had a contract, then there would be one major debate. If Les Moonves really wanted this debate, the strikes would have been settled so fast that Hillary Clinton would be able to plant so many questions that are designed to sweep her into the White House.
Chez – they’re not talking about the newswriters strike, they’re talking about the “regular” WGA strike. Had their been picketers outside of the studio, there was concern that the candidates wouldn’t cross picket lines to physically get to the debate.
But these “dueling” press releases are interesting inasmuch as they illustrate how the two sides really are speaking different languages and not listening to one another. CBS’ request (that the WGA in effect suspend the strike for the duration of the debate) is made under the assumption that the thing can’t/won’t be settled before then. That’s the wrong place to come from: one should assume that an agreement can be worked out and then get down to the business of solving it.
Look at CBS playing the victim. Poor, little conglomerates can’t catch a break these days. Seriously though, nobody votes in the primaries anyway.
Audio Verite
Look if you are going to let Liz have her AIDS event I understand and think that’s cool, cause that’s something above the fray. So is this. This is a huge blow to democracy!
———–
This is PR, everything is PR, and the Democratic Party is showing their support for union workers during the elections, shocking! Let’s try and not be so naïve.
I’m imagining what the producers’ stance would be if the WGA issued a statement like…
“We politely requested Paramount to double the DVD royalty rate for JUST THE FIRST DAY that the Transformers discs were being released, and were met with silence.”
What a missed opportunity — the WGA should have contacted the presidential campaigns and requested that they cross the picket lines as long as they mention/support the strike during the televised debate. Missed good PR for the WGA turned into bad PR by people who will be angered about this. The fact that there will be other debates is irrelevant.
AgentYungBuck — You’re right. Foolishly didn’t realize it was to take place in LA.
On a related matter, though… it’s just been announced that ABC and the WGA Newswriters have — after almost 3 years — reached a contract agreement.
Go Guild!
Katie Couric is the Carson Daly of news anyway.
When has CBS been a news organization?
Have all the debates on PBS and let Travis Smiley moderate them..at least it then will be interesting.
1. Les Moonves cannot settle the strike alone, he represents only one of about 180 signatory companies.
2. Follow the logic please: the candidates say they will not cross a picket line, CBS asks the WGA to not picket the debate, the WGA doesn’t respond, CBS must make a decision on whether or not to spend millions of dollars prepping a debate that may not happen, CBS cancels debate, WGA accuses CBS of damaging the democratic process? Debates are not big money makers for networks, at best they are good PR. The WGA is culpable on this one.
Excuse me but, how is asking the WGA to suspend picketing an ‘effort of cooperation’? What was CBS giving up?
Frankly, CBS and the WGA are pathetic. Unless someone cancelled the election, there’s not a thing wrong with ‘the democratic process’ – build a bridge, folks, and get over yourselves.