NEW YORK (AP) — Democrat John Edwards voiced his support Tuesday for striking television writers, telling a boisterous rally that he would work to protect the rights of union members if elected president next year.
"Stay strong, stay together," Edwards implored members of the Writers Guild of America, whose strike has entered its fourth week. "It's about making sure these big corporations, these big media conglomerates don't step on your rights — that you have a real opportunity to share in the work that you've been producing."
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David Chase, the creator of the hit crime series "The Sopranos," was among the union writers attending the rally in Manhattan's Washington Square Park.
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Chase said he was pleased Edwards had spoken to the striking writers. "He said some very important things," Chase said.
The strike has already affected presidential politics. Edwards has canceled planned appearances on "Ellen" and "The View" until the strike is resolved, as has Barack Obama's wife Michelle, who was set to be a guest host on "The View" next week.
All the major Democratic candidates, including Hillary Rodham Clinton, have said they will not participate in a televised debate Dec. 10 in Los Angeles if CBS news writers go out on strike.
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Speaking to reporters after the New York rally, Edwards announced several proposals he said would strengthen middle class economic conditions.
Among other things, he called for reforming the credit card industry. He said he would create a "Borrowers Security Act" as president to protect consumers from making large, unfair interest payments on credit card balances. He also pledged to raise the capital gains rate on investment income from 15 to 28 percent for families making above $250,000 a year.
"We value work, not just wealth in this country," Edwards said.
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