The WGA East issued a statement last night on the cancelled Presidential debate that was scheduled to take place on December 10th in Los Angeles:

''The Writers Guild of America, East and the Writers Guild of America, West regret that the Democratic National Committee has had to cancel the December 10th Presidential Debate hosted by CBS. This was triggered by CBS' fear that the Democratic candidates would not cross a picket line by WGA-CBS News writers or WGA Film and TV writers to participate in the debate -- a concern that could have been avoided entirely if CBS would simply sit down and negotiate a fair contract for its news and entertainment employees. Instead, CBS chose to make a decision that stifles the democratic process.''

CBS News cancelled the debate after the major Presidential candidates refused to appear at the venue over the looming possibility of a strike. A little over a week ago CBS News employees who are members of the WGA East West voted 81% to authorize a strike against CBS. CBS News issued the following statement on the cancellation:

''CBS News regrets not being able to offer the Democratic presidential debate scheduled for Dec. 10 in Los Angeles. The possibility of picket lines set up by the Writers Guild of America and the unwillingness of many candidates to cross them made it necessary to allow the candidates to make other plans.''