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Rudy Balks, Then Offers to Mediate Writers' Strike
by Josh Gerstein
Tue, 13 Nov 2007 at 6:58 PM
updated Tue, 13 Nov 2007 at 7:24 PM
Mayor Giuliani, who's on a campaign swing through Southern California today, initially had nothing at all to say about the writers' strike that has put thousands of people out of work in the Los Angeles area, threatens the employment of thousands more, and could do hundreds of millions of dollars of damage to one of America's largest industries.
But, after taking some time to mull the issue over, he managed some compassion for those affected and even offered to mediate.
After touring his California campaign headquarters in Glendale this afternoon, Mr. Giuliani took questions from the press. The first barrage was about the strike and which side he supported.
The former mayor simply wouldn't bite. "I don't know that answer. I'd have to look at that issue," he said.
The press horde was incredulous. "Management or the union, you can do that?" one reporter essayed.
"I don't know the issue," Mr. Giuliani replied dismissively, starting to sound not only neutral, but perhaps entirely unaware of the paralyzing walkout.
Mr. Giuliani then disappeared into the building to do a radio interview and make other calls. Most print reporters left.
However, the TV folks remained on stakeout and one successfully cajoled the ex-mayor into taking another shot at the question as he headed for his waiting SUV.
"A public official, a candidate for office really shouldn't get involved in that. There are so many disputes. I settled several difficult labor disputes when I was the mayor and the best way I did it was to not have much of an opinion on it and not get too involved in it and then to act as kind of a mediator. I think here we've got to let them work out the collective bargaining process, wish them well, understand the tremendous impact this has, you know on the public, on all the artists that are involved, all the writers that are involved, all the owners that are involved and just wish them well on getting it resolved," Mr. Giuliani said.
He added, with a chuckle, "You know. It's very unlikely, but if they needed my help, I'd be more than happy to help, as a fair-minded mediator. I can think of two big strikes in New York that I helped to settle, but I'm sure they have a lot of people that are willing to do that."
And with that the ex-mayor of Gotham headed for Iowa and the Dakotas, and, presumably, a blissful escape from pesky questions about the Hollywood strike.
Related Topics: GOP Primary
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