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Huckabee Crosses Picket Line, Hillary Doesn't
Several late-night talk shows returned to the airwaves last night, despite the months-long Writers Guild of America strike. Two of the chat shows had leading presidential candidates as guests, with one key difference. From The Hollywood Reporter:
"Both NBC's "The Tonight Show With Jay Leno" and CBS' "Late Show With David Letterman" featured a leading presidential candidate -- Republican Mike Huckabee and Democrat Hillary Clinton, respectively. Both NBC's Conan O'Brien and CBS' Letterman sported beards they had grown during their two-month hiatus.
But there was one big difference -- while CBS' "Late Show" and "Late Late Show With Craig Ferguson" enjoyed a seamless return with their writers in tow, NBC's "Tonight Show" and "Late Night With Conan O'Brien" taped their first strike shows behind picket lines."
Huckabee, for his part, expressed support for the striking writers in word, if not in deed. More after the jump.Letterman's production company, Worldwide Pants, cut a deal directly with the Writer's Guild to allow both Letterman and "The Late, Late Show"'s Craig Ferguson to return with their writers.
Huckabee was asked about the strike, and crossing the picket line, earlier yesterday, while campaigning in Iowa. From CBS News' Joy Lin:
Earlier in the day, while campaigning in Iowa, Huckabee told reporters during a media availability that he "absolutely, unequivocally" supported the writers and thought that there had been a "special arrangement...and the writers have made this agreement to let the late night shows come back on so I don't anticipate that it's a crossing of a picket line"
When a reporter said no agreement had been reached, Huckabee insisted he understood there was a "dispensation" given to the late night shows. Told that wasn't true, Huckabee nodded and said, "Oh." He looked in the opposite direction for a different question.
In case there remained any doubt in Huckabee's mind, the WGA released this statement yesterday:
"The Writers Guild thanks the former governor for his strong statement of support for striking writers,and hopes that he will not cross the picket lines at NBC."
During his Tonight Show appearance, Huckabee, a bass player, sat in with the Tonight Show band. Time will tell if his strike-defying jam session will leave him in a jam with voters. His strong statement of support for the WGA could backfire, as it may seem that his deeply held belief in the writers' cause was outweighed by the chance for some national exposure.
Hillary Clinton, meanwhile, delivered the first joke in Letterman's return and managed to honor the striking writers. With both appearances being mentioned side-by-side in news stories today, Huckabee's misstep is sure to be magnified.
The other candidates in this presidential field will need to do some serious cost/benefit analysis in judging whether or not to cross. Chances are, Ferguson and Letterman will, for a time, become a joshing, insomniac version of Meet the Press, with candidates lining up to appear on the only "safe" late-night shows. We'll keep an eye on Spelling Bee champs and Stupid Pets to see if they are crowded out.
Recent Comments
(Page 1 of 4)jeff williams3:41PMJan 3rd 2008
no suprise here, unions are all about imposing their will for an agenda, the agenda being power and money. they are the biggest group of hipocrits in the free world, caring about nobody!!! i wonder if hillary ever eats at a restraunt or shops at a store that is not union. they are all the same!!
Elizabeth Morgenweck3:46PMJan 3rd 2008
Who really cares if they cross a picket line. Hollywood does what Hollywood does in every other aspect. All these canidates paint a rosy picture if they are elected president. One example is Hillary Clinton. She could not even develop a Health plan when her husband was president what makes her think she is so intellegent now? Words do not mean a thung. Its time to let the Clintons go into pasture. Bill has not gotten the message of former presidents. STAY OUT OF THE PICTURE !!!!
James J. White3:47PMJan 3rd 2008
Let's discuss ALL of the issues.
No corporate or PAC money accepted.
National Initiative for Democracy
Check us out ...
Mike Gravel for President !
http://www.gravel2008.us/
Hugh3:52PMJan 3rd 2008
I watched the Leno show last night with Huckabee and I have to say, Leno's show was great without writers. He did a terrific job and the show was as good if not better than if he had writers.
JOHN4:27PMJan 3rd 2008
SENATOR HILLARY CLINTON IS GOING TO MAKE A GREAT PRESIDENT.
Jeanne Wolf5:05PMJan 3rd 2008
MAY THE BEST WOMAN WIN!!
Over a hundred years ago women faught for the right to vote. They took to the streets and were arrested for demanding equal rights with men. Black men got the vote before women. Now women must fight for the right to be president. ONE WOMAN has been putting up one heck of a fight and I pray to God she wins. It is one very difficult fight.
Scorn493225:05PMJan 3rd 2008
I agree with John!:)
Lady of Light5:06PMJan 3rd 2008
Tommy - good story - this is getting more fascinating than "American Idol!" I read New Hampshire newspapers are all endorsing Hillary Clinton. We'll see what happens.
Lady of light
Mr. Clark5:10PMJan 3rd 2008
Tommy Christopher,
I thought Presidential candidates coveted Union Endorsements? Or, is it just Democrats that get them?
Anyhow, even though I am not a Union member, I have never crossed a picket line because I believe in Unions. So, Huckabee knowingly crossed a picket line and Clinton made sure she didn't. That is a character issue and I am sure there is more to come on that. Now, I have to see if Huckabee has any Union Endorsements...just curious. I know Sen. Clinton has the most so far.
Sincerely and respectfully,
Mr. Clark
frank bowers5:14PMJan 3rd 2008
I JUST HAVE FOUR WORDS "THANK GOD FOR HILLARY"
Than as old President Johnson said in San Antonio "Please folks, vote early, vote every where you can, do it as mlany times as possible, and do it as often as you can and each time vote for Hillary Clinton. As the republicans will destroy as many democrat votes as they can. Frank Bowers in Austin, TX
Paul5:24PMJan 3rd 2008
please sell out by voting for clinton just because she is a women
Paul5:25PMJan 3rd 2008
Please sell out by voting for clinton just because she is a women
STEVE MARITAS5:35PMJan 3rd 2008
Huckabee is a scab” !
STEVE MARITAS5:37PMJan 3rd 2008
Huckabee is a scab” !
A Message From The International Union Security Police and Fire Professionals Of America SPFPA!
Angie6:22PMJan 3rd 2008
All those who can't conceive of a female president ASSUME that anyone who IS voting and supporting Hillary must be doing so as a sell-out only because she is a woman.
1) That actually is a decent plan of attack,,,our country should be embarrassed that we have never had a female commander in chief. Now, it matters to me WHICH female is running.... there are some I would not vote for, obviously.
2) She is an excellent candidate.
victoria6:25PMJan 3rd 2008
my husband and i believe is a time for change and we believe that is time to place a woman in the white house to express her self and to do something for this country we believe she got everything that is needed in order to be the president of the u.s.a.one more thing all the male presidents until know have not been perfects everyone have been making mistakes good and bad things to takl abouth.lets give the power to a woman ,if we do not allowed them to haved how we are going to find out they can do a good job? lets not be affraid of changes, lets open our mind to new way of goverment i believe we womans are capable of this and more lets find out! are you ready?
tomnhel6:33PMJan 3rd 2008
How do spell Hillary Clinton? Answer: LOSER!!!
MIKEY6:36PMJan 3rd 2008
ALL THAT MATTERS IS THAT WE VOTE FOR THE BEST CANDIDATE TO BE OUR NEXT PRESIDENT.
MITT ROMNEY IS OUR BEST CHOICE.
HE CAN RUN BUSINESSES SUCCESSFULLY, HE RAN A STATE WITHOUT A GLITCH AND RAN AN OLYMPICS GAMES.
HE PRESENTS HIMSELF PROFESSIONALLY, HE CAN SPEAKS CLEARLY AND HE DISPLAYS CONFIDENCE.AND URGENCY.
HE HAS PROVEN HIMSELF THROUGH EXAMPLES OF SUCCESS AND RESULTS.
WOULDN'T YOU WANT SOMEONE WHO HAS BEEN SUCCESSFUL TO BE OUR NEXT PRESIDENT ?
ONE OF OUR CANDIDATES NEVER FIXD HEALTH CARE WHEN GIVEN THE OPPORTUNITY. WE CAN'T BE SURE THAT WE WILL ALWAYS HAVE A SECOND CHANCE. ONE SLIP UP COULD COST OUR COUNTRY GREATLY. THE SAME CANDIDATE IS AGAINST EQUAL RIGHTS FOR FATHERS (OR REFERRED TO AS DEAD BEAT DADS)AND BOTH PARENTS FOR OUR CHILDRENS RIGHTS...
WE CAN TRUST MITT ROMNEY' SOUND DECISION MAKING SKILLS. WE NEED A STRONG PRESIDENT IN THESE TIMES OF TERROR.
IF WE HAD ANY OTHER PRESIDENT THAT WAS UNLIKE GEORGE BUSH, WE COULD BE IN A MELT DOWN WITH BING OVERCOME BY TERRORISTS FOR SURE !
JUST THINK ABOUT THAT ?
HAVING A WEAK PRESIDENT DURING THE 911 PERIOD IN HISTORY AND A PRESIDENT WITHOUT STRENGTH AND DETERMINATION; WE COULD HAVE BEEN OVERCOME BY TERRORIST.IN OUR COUNTRY WITHOUT A STRONG LEADER LIKE OUR HONORABLE PRESIDENT GEORGE BUSH !
NO MATTER WHO OUR PRESIDENT IS, WE NEED TO GIVE HIM ALL OF OUR SUPPORT AS STRONG DETERMINED AND CONCERNED UNITED STATES OF AMERICA CITIZENS SHOULD.
Tom Crumley6:38PMJan 3rd 2008
The fact Huckabe would cross the picket line, and Hillary would not speaks volumes about the attitude of each towards working people. Regardless if you are in a union or not, it shold give you an idea of who the candidate really is interested in. A minister turned politician does not really impress me to start with.
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1-4-Romney3:32PMJan 3rd 2008
Tommy,
I read Gregs' story on the Huck appearance this morning and had to write the details you mentioned in.
I read Daves' story on Thompson quitting if he didn’t do well in Iowa. I had to write in: Thompson adamantly denied that this morning on FOX.
SO, I was beginning to wonder if anyone had actually kept up with the news. BUT AS USUAL YOU SAVE THE DAY!
Last night when I heard Huckabee was going to be on Leno I wondered what the WGA would think about all of it.
Then, I saw the crowds with signs “Huckabee is a scab” “Huckabee go back to AR” and all was clear.
However, Huckabee as usual took spinning to a whole new low. First, if he is going to be president he should really know all the issues going on in nation…..and ah this a pretty big deal since it has basically shut down a large part of TV. Second, once he was told he should have took a stand and not went on the program. BUT HE DIDN’T …..He told the writers he is “with them” and “support them” but yet punch them in the eye and sadly this does not veer from his approach to life.
I am just wondering how many times a good ole boy preacher has to screw up before they stop seeing him as the funny guy, preacher, teddy bear-----and start getting the point that he is a bad, unprepared, unorganized, and inept presidential candidate.
On a different note I do not know if you saw Dodd this morning but I give him major props. He dissed UFO guy and Richardson for making deals and brokering their voters to Obama. I was so glad someone said how wrong that is and unfair to the voters that have invested in Richardson and UFO guy. I really hope he, Biden and Clinton does well tonight.