So, writers are picketing the debate and the candidates refuse to cross. Do the writers script the questions or the answers? Or can unions now just picket anything they want even if it doesn't involve them at all? And in the face of terrorism, do we really want a president who can't even stand up to some big, bad Hollywood writers?

do we really want a president who can't even stand up to some big, bad Hollywood writers?

Interesting take on this N2. I read it as standing up for the writers.

The only way it is standing up FOR the writers is if the writers actually write something for the debate. As far as I know, they don't. I would think they would be standing up for them more by mentioning them in the debate. Sounds to me more like they are just taking the easy way out (much like they did by avoiding the congressional black caucus/FOX news debates).

Sounds to me more like they are just taking the easy way out

That very well may be true.

Its not a fight, they are showing solidarity with the writer's guild, your title is misleading to say the least. You do realize that unions still form a big part of the Democratic party. Crossing the line would be like a GOP candidate flipping the bird to a megachurch pastor.

But since when do unions picket where they don't work? Unless the writers script the questions or the answers what gives them the right to picket the debate? And what is to stop them from picketing anywhere they choose? What's next? Maybe they could picket Wal-Mart, or GM, or even congress itself.

Their picketing CBS, which does hire writers for many of their shows (the CSI series come to mind). If they work for CBS, they can picket CBS, they can also protest there. In fact they could picket in a lot of places, inlcuding movie studies in California and Florida, since many TV shows are made in their back lots. As for Congress, I would like to see that, considering how much material politicians steal from movies and TV shows anyway (maybe they should start by picketing Reagan's grave!).

WGA statement on the debate.

Thanks for the link bignosemousie.

I was in a march to Parliament but I wasn't acting as a politician.