When celebrities and candidates cross paths, it's usually the former helping the latter. Last week wrestler Rick Flair signed on with Mike Huckabee. Oprah announced yesterday that she will spend early December stumping for Barack Obama in Iowa, New Hampshire and South Carolina. And just this morning the Clinton campaign revealed that "legendary filmmaker, artist, and Democratic activist, Barbra Streisand" will sing Hillary's praises throughout the primary season--and, if necessary, beyond.

Politicians. They take, take, take--and never give anything back. Until this afternoon, that is, when the generous John Edwards stopped by Washington Square park in Manhattan's Greenwich Village to rally with striking members of the Writer's Guild of America. As a small reggae combo played the mellow Johnny Nash classic "I Can See Clearly Now," David Proval, who played gonzo goon Ritchie Aprile on "The Sopranos," strolled past Daily Show commentator--and "I'm a PC" guy--John Hodgman. A few feet away, Tina Fey and Jack McBrayer of "30 Rock" huddled with SNL castmembers Seth "John Kerry" Meyers and Amy "Hillary Clinton" Poehler. That girl from "The Office"--the one who's not Jenna Fischer--was there, too. "Stay strong! Stay together!" said Edwards."We have to show that the working people in this country actually deserve a chance!"

The problem for Edwards is that when the "working people" are stars of stage and screen--or snarky New York scribes--it's hard to make much of an impact. I stood with two comedy writers, one from the Colbert Report and one from SNL. They weren't impressed. To put it mildly. "He looked shiny and boyish," one said. "Yay for canceled appearances," said the other, mocking Edwards' boast that he was skipping "Ellen" and "The View." Then they went off looking for Gilbert Gottfried, who was rumored to be in attendance.

Of course, the WGA members, who haven't been paid for three weeks, are more preoccupied with getting back to work than picking a president. And Edwards isn't in New York, a Feb. 5 state, prospecting for local votes; he has to survive Iowa and New Hampshire first. His real audience? The armada of Manhattan media outlets arrayed at the side of the stage (and the populist Dems in early voting states who receive their broadcasts).  After stumping for three short, perfunctory minutes, Edwards strode over and unveiled his plan to more heavily regulate the credit card industry. Pro-labor photo-op over, Edwards hopped into a waiting car and drove off to tape a network interview and chat with the Time-Warner editorial board, according to Ben Smith.

Hey, without Ellen, you take what you can get.