LAWMAKERS
LAWMAKERS
WETA "LAWMAKERS" 10/28/1982 IN 01.00.00-WETA credit/sponsor credits 01.00.23-In to shots of a COUNTRY BAND playing at a campaign event, couples dancing, v.o.-these are "YELLOW DOG DEMOCRATS", voters who'd go for a yellow dog if he were a DEMOCRAT, but might not vote for a black candidate. 01.00.43-Title Sequence 01.01.07-PAUL DUKE-as election approaches, question is are VOTERS angry or apathetic-anger could make it a big year for DEMOCRATS. Much in doubt still, turnout, local issues, and REAGANOMICS. On program, a look at two elections where MINORITY VOTE will be very important. LINDA WERTHEIMER-2nd MISSISSIPPI DISTRICT has been redrawn, may elect a black candidate, which would be the first time a black man has gone to Washington from the state in 100 years. WHITES in MISSISSIPPI DELTA are the minority, but a slim majority of REGISTERED VOTERS [great enforcement of that VOTING RIGHTS ACT, Ronnie]. 01.02.32-COKIE ROBERTS, standing on a DIRT FARM in Mississippi, with old tractor and dilapidated shed in background. The issue is whether whites in DELTA district will vote for a BLACK DEMOCRAT or a WHITE REPUBLICAN. Shot of WEBB FRANKLIN, REPUBLICAN candidate, says that the issue is "LIBERAL" versus "CONSERVATIVE". Shot of ROBERT CLARK, BLACK DEMOCRATIC candidate says he's going to stick to his issues in the campaign (implies he won't go to the right to get WHITE VOTE). Shot of black woman exiting and white man entering a town hall. Shot of broad expanse of COTTON FIELD, C/U of cotton bolls. Driveby of large white houses with verandas. Shot of old African-American women on front porch of small house. Driveby of close-set SHOTGUN SHACKS, shots of group of young black children playing in yard behind house with linoleum siding under watch of adult man. Shot of small CAMPAIGN SIGN for ROBERT CLARK on wall of a rundown house. 01.04.00-ROBERTS standing with MISSISSIPPI STATE HOUSE in background. Discussion of State Legislature effort to draw districts to divide BLACK VOTE, helping DEMOCRATS and outraging both BLACKS and REPUBLICANS. FEDERAL COURTS intervened, resulting in a slim BLACK MAJORITY in the district. Shot of Ed Cole, black party official for DEMOCRATS, discusses continuing problems for black voters-bosses won't allow them to take time from work to vote, low literacy, likely some INTIMIDATION inherent in the location of the polling places, the slim BLACK MAJORITY in district might not be enough. Shot of a WHITE REPUBLICAN OFFICIAL, says the district is as good as it could be, says the DEMOCRATS are historically responsible for spreading out the black vote. Shot of WEBB FRANKLIN campaigning with a bunch of GOOD OL' BOYS in John Deere caps. Shots of people at campaign fish-fry loading up on CATFISH. Shots of COUNTRY BAND playing bass, guitar, lap steel, couples dancing, FRANKLIN dancing, ROBERTS v.o.-these are "YELLOW DOG" DEMOCRATS, who'd vote for a yellow dog (but maybe not a BLACK DEMOCRAT). Shot of FRANKLIN speaking, says CLARK is nominated by a "special interest group" [I didn't know that Black people counted as a "special interest group". Does that make the Klan a "special interest"?]. 01.06.25-Black DEMOCRATIC OFFICIAL, says that FRANKLIN can't ask poor white voters to vote for him on the basis of REAGANOMICS, so he has to make thinly veiled appeals to RACISTS. Clip of FRANKLIN CAMPAIGN AD, slogan "He's One of Us". C/S FRANKLIN, denies that the slogan refers to RACE, says he's a MISSISSIPPIAN and a CONSERVATIVE, blames the press for misinterpreting it, he chose the slogan before ROBERT CLARK even decided to run. C/S older Black woman singing in CHURCH, pullback shows congregation in small BLACK CHURCH. Shot of Black MINISTER urging the congregation to vote, says that there will be a Black Congressman from the state for the first time since Reconstruction, praises CLARK, gets lots of approving shouts from congregation. Introduces CLARK, CLARK takes pulpit to speak, congregation cheers. ROBERTS v.o.-CLARK a longtime symbol of fight for representation since integrating the MISSISSIPPI STATE LEGISLATURE in the late 1960's. Shots of congregation. 01.08.33