LAWMAKERS
LAWMAKERS
WETA "LAWMAKERS" 10/13/1983 IN 19.58.17-WETA credit/sponsor credits/title sequence 19.59.05-PAUL DUKE-on program: Relief from REPUBLICANS that JAMES WATT is resigning as SECRETARY OF THE INTERIOR after WATT became increasing political liability for making racist remarks in public and aggravating his already bad image on environmental grounds. Concern whether the replacement will follow the same ENVIRONMENTAL policies. LINDA WERTHEIMER-report on rise of TRENT LOTT in Congress. COKIE ROBERTS-as Congressmen return back to the district, they work hard to impress voters. 20.00.36-Shot of a commercial strip in Randallstown, MD (near Baltimore). Driveby of small suburban split-levels on small yards. M/S Rep. BARBARA MIKULSKI (D) entering "town meeting" session in a school cafeteria. MIKULSKI soliciting the voters' opinions. An old lady praises MIKULSKI for supporting the red-baiting GRAMM amendment to the IMF loan bill. MIKULSKI advocates her position. A man asks about SOCIAL SERVICES programs and EDUCATION priorities versus DEFENSE SPENDING. MIKULSKI advocates PUBLIC spending to stimulate private jobs, says she believes in strong DEFENSE as a POLISH-AMERICAN. 20.03.33-MIKULSKI says she does support REAGAN in drive to cut "waste and fraud", a man tells of his experience, says that private hospitals are responsible for most MEDICARE CHEATING, not recipients. A man asks about LEBANON. MIKULSKI advocates her position. Another man with a walker complains about rising ELECTRIC RATES, MIKULSKI offers to pull some strings for the man. Shot of a voter marveling at the extent of the problems. C/S MIKULSKI says the meetings are "true democracy". A man comments that MIKULSKI is a follower of Rule Number One of politics, "get re-elected". 20.07.00-DUKE/WERTHEIMER intro report on HOUSE MINORITY WHIP TRENT LOTT, a "New kind of Republican" in the House. M/S of LOTT with REAGAN and TAMMY WYNETTE who sings "Stand By Your Man" at LOTT political event. REAGAN speaking to crowd of Mississippi Republicans, says he "prays" that the REPUBLICANS will get the majority in the House. WERTHEIMER v.o.-LOTT is a success story for CONSERVATIVE REPUBLICANS who want to get the party established in the South. M/S LOTT on Capitol terrace with group of Mississippian visitors, says he prefers being home in Mississippi. C/S LOTT in office, says that being Southerner helped him in Party because REPUBLICANS wanted to get a toehold in the South and LOTT could work with CONSERVATIVE DEMOCRATS. 20.08.51-B/W Still of LOTT, REAGAN, and ROBERT MICHEL (House Minority Leader). V.o.-discussion of party whip's job. M/S LOTT in office, on telephone, says he's "calling as your friendly neighborhood whip". C/S LOTT discussing the job. C/S ROBERT MICHEL says LOTT is a great whip and good to work with. C/S Rep. BUDDY ROEMER (D-LA), says when LOTT gets serious, he courts votes in intensely personal way. Still of LOTT and REAGAN in OVAL OFFICE. WERTHEIMER v.o.-LOTT has a contentious relationship with DEMOCRATIC LEADERS. C/S LOTT in well of House, challenging TIP O'NEILL for the schedule of votes. C/S LOTT in office, says it's part of his job to fight when he thinks his party is getting screwed.