Edwards hits the pavement with striking writers

The leading Democratic presidential hopefuls have all issued statements of support for the striking Hollywood writers, but former Sen. John Edwards showed up today to walk one of the picket lines.

Edwards appeared outside the NBC studios in Burbank this afternoon amid a crush of reporters and news photographers, who jostled to get pictures of the candidate marching along with several hundred Writers Guild members. With sleeves rolled up and tie loosened, Edwards pushed through the crowd. He stepped up onto a concrete bench and grabbed a bullhorn.

"It’s a great privilege for me to walk with you, to stand with you," he told the strikers. "I want you to know that your brothers and sisters in unions across this country walk with you. They’re in this cause with you. I’m in the cause with you. It’s about justice and fairness and equality."

Edwards -- a longtime advocate of organized labor -- used the opportunity to call for more support of all unions. "We must strengthen and grow the union movement in America," he said. "It’s the only way we can insure that these corporate conglomerates don’t take over the United States."

The crowd responded with cheers: "USA. WGA."

Edwards, who was accompanied by actor James Denton (he plays Mike the plumber on "Desperate Housewives") spent about half an hour with strikers before getting back into a blue minivan, which whisked him down Alameda Avenue to another engagement.

--Tina Daunt

(This item is also posted on the Times' Show Tracker blog.)

Comments

[Patty Morlan]

Our family sends our best to the writers who are on strike. Although we can't be with you in person we stand with you. We also wish the best to Senator Edwards in his fight to help working men and women across our country.

Louisville, KY

[Kathie]

American middle class needs a voice. Thanks John Edwards!

[Debbie J]

Thanks John for 'walking the talk'...
Edwards 2008 " The Peoples President"
Returning the government back to "We the People"

[portlandval]

I've met John Edwards. He is the REAL DEAL. No matter how his campaign and policies are being represented in the media, he is FOR the working people. But, he also SHOWS it with ACTION. Thank you John Edwards!

[Democrat for Truth]

John Edwards has no day job-he's been running for President for years- Of course he has time to stand in picket lines-part of his campaign strategy- Working full time to become President and he's still only in distant third- doesn't that tell him something? All of the candidates in person are wonderful- they are politicians- John Edwards won huge ambulance chasing cases and took big money from health insurance companies- He lives in a 28,000 sq ft house he just built-that's almost the size of a WalMart- Let's get serious here- Check out his position in 2004- He was against universal health care- he recommended to John Kerry that they not admit the Iraq vote was a mistake because they would look "weak." Trust but verify- this is too important.

[Jef Wallace]

You're being RIDICULOUS, "democrat for truth".

I lived in Chapel Hill for two years, getting my MBA. John Edwards is a friend to all of our locals and everyone in town knows that he is TRUE BLUE.

You are repeating vicious Repugnican rhetoric, calling him an ambulance chaser when this is a guy who scrapped his way up from the working class and never left us behind for all of his success. You are the kind of person that the Repugnicans crow over, and you must immediately GROW UP.

I just met John Edwards today, in his blue minivan. I gave him a John Edwards For President sticker I made at StickerNation.com. I am so happy to contribute my human energy to ensuring John wins throughout next year.

JOHN EDWARDS WILL BE OUR PRESIDENT FOR THE NEXT EIGHT YEARS.

THAT IS THE TRUTH.

- Jeff

[Democrats for Truth]

Jeff my young friend-Have you done the research on Edwards? These are facts-he does live in a 28,000 sq ft plus home-he did make money off of the sorrows of others-You didn't mention whether you've looked at his resume- Or his past voting record or his positions during the 2004 election- These are not Republican talking points- the story about John Kerry are from Bob Strum their campaign manager - a major Democrat's- book- I suggest you read it. He told another story that is so shocking I can't even repeat it- Strum is not backing any horse in this election and has no reason to destroy Edwards- You say you gave Edwards a StickerNation sticker- wow - I bet he really appreciated your hard work to help the county move ahead- Get real-he's a swell guy- he came from humble beginnings-news update- lots of us did-but when we've pulled ourselves up we didn't build outrageous houses and pander to the poor only when running for public office-not one bit of service before except to himself- that's a problem- You tell me what he has done before to help the poor and needy-anything???? That is pure southern bull any way you slice it-
"Edwards sued the American Red Cross three times, alleging transmission of AIDS through tainted blood products, resulting in a confidential settlement each time" What a guy huh?