Hollywood Writer's Strike Threatens Democratic Debate

November 21, 2007 11:35 p.m. EST

New York, NY (AHN) - The ongoing writer's strike in Hollywood has started to have an effect on the political arena, as the upcoming CBS presidential debate is being threatened as candidates refuse to cross the picket lines should the station writers decide to join the strike.

Although CBS news writers have yet to talk of joining the strike, guild leaders are allowed to call one at any time, should they see it necessary. Candidates have been publicly announcing their respect for the strikers, as many of them have canceled television appearances for the sake of not crossing picket lines.

United Press International reported that Sen. John Edwards and his wife Elizabeth have canceled a scheduled appearance on "The View" so as not to cross the picket lines of the Writes Guild of America.

"Elizabeth and I will honor the members of the Writers Guild of America who are on strike at 'The View' by canceling our appearance on the show next week," Edwards said. "In addition, we will also honor any picket lines at CBS News, up to an including the CBS presidential debate on December 10."

Sen. Hillary Clinton has also announced that she will not cross the picket lines should the CBS News writers decide to join the strike.

The decision to honor the picket lines by not crossing them have also been voiced out by spokesmen for Bill Richardson, Joe Biden, and Chris Dodd.

The New York Times reported that CBS News has made an announcement, saying that it will continue with the scheduled debate.

"The Democratic Party believes the right to organize and collectively bargain is one of our most fundamental rights, and we are proud to stand with the working men and women in the labor movement," said Democratic Spokeswoman Karen Finney. "If the strike is still going on, we will not cross the picket lines."