Leslie Byrne Like Unions, If The Price Is Right?!

Most of us, except for former Rep. Leslie Byrne have hear about the ongoing writers strike that has shut down most of network TV.

If you didn't hear about the writers visit to Washington DC yesterday:

Writers from Comedy Central’s “The Daily Show” and “The Colbert Report” may be on strike, but they still put on quite a show Wednesday for members of Congress and the media. In a mock debate held in the Rayburn House Office Building and moderated by former White House press secretary Dee Dee Myers, the comedy writers addressed concerns raised during the 12-week-old dispute between the Writers Guild of America and the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers. Representing the WGA cause were “Daily Show” writers Rob Kutner, Tim Carvell and Jason Ross, each wearing casual attire. Arguing the studio- and network-executive side were suit-wearing writers Michael Brumm, Peter Grosz and Tom Purcell, and Leslie Byrbe who appropriately craft union-despising material
for mock right-winger Stephen Colbert. And although the debate was a farce, the issues were real. Rep. Jerrold Nadler (D-N.Y.), whose district includes much of the writer-heavy Upper West Side of Manhattan, kicked off the event. “An acceptable deal is what they need and deserve,” Nadler said of the writer’s guild. Five other WGA-supporting members of Congress — all Democrats — followed: Reps. Jan Schakowsky of Illinois, Stephen I. Cohen of Tennessee, Rush Holt of New Jersey, and John Hall and Anthony D. Weiner, both of New York. While lawmakers raised serious issues, such as worker and intellectual property rights, they also couldn’t resist doing a little stand-up. There were some numbers tossed around that supported the WGA side, such as how the studios rake in $95 billion annually versus the average guild writer’s income of $62,000. But the executives and Leslie Byrne still argued that the writers were overpaid: For example, the average scribe makes more than a volunteer fireman or even Jesus when he was working as a carpenter. But they did offer an olive branch to the writers — a raise of “negative 50.” “Shut up and get back to work, or we’re going to replace you with 'American Gladiators,'” they said…Following the debate, Winship fielded questions about the event, which he said was an effort “to increase congressional and public awareness.” But away from the Hill, are the issues gaining traction throughout the country, specifically on the campaign trail? “It has been an issue,” Winship told Politico after the debate. “I think it’s difficult for a lot of candidates because they walk a very thin line between the creative communities and the networks.“Obviously there’s a lot of fundraising that takes place with the studios or networks,” Winship said of the candidates. “On the other hand, there’s a lot of fundraising that takes place within the creative community. ... So I think they’ve had to walk that delicate line.” Since the strike began on Nov. 5, Democratic candidates’ refusal to cross the picket line led to CBS canceling a debate. And former Sen. John Edwards personally joined up with striking writers in New York City. As expected, the Republican candidates joined by Leslie Byrne are not supportive of the striking writers, including Mike Huckabee appearing on "The Tonight Show" the evening before the Iowa caucus. Huckabee later maintained his innocence, saying he had been confused and thought the writers had made a deal with Jay Leno’s late-night show. The “Daily Show” writers could have had a field day with that one.

Obviously I have inserted Leslie Byrne into this story becuase although she touts her union endorsements, she saw fit to selfishly auction off tickets to the Daily Show to support what will surley be another loosing campaign.

Lowell Feld and I drew the ticket winner for the Daily Show. James was our first entry for the drawing, which ended up raising over $3,000. Thank you to all that entered. I hope you had fun with this different type of fundraiser. If you have other ideas for some interesting ways we can engage people in helping us raise the necessary funds for this campaign, send them along.

Leslie's current and past campaigns have been funded on money taken from special interests, especially unions. It seems the writers haven't given her enough money. Send Leslie a message or leave her a comment and let her know thats its time to return to the political graveyard