LAWMAKERS
LAWMAKERS
WETA "LAWMAKERS" 12/01/1988 IN 19.58.13-WETA credit/sponsor credits/title sequence 19.59.01-PAUL DUKE/LINDA WERTHEIMER-on program: preview of 1984 ELECTION POLITICS and the GRANDPARENTS' LOBBY. WERTHEIMER report on DEMOCRATS' efforts to win back Senate control in 1984. 20.00.20-Clip of a DEMOCRATIC "training video" for SENATE CANDIDATES, still of Norman Rockwell-style painting of begraggled Candidate slumped on pavement under his own Campaign portrait, as the v.o. warns that running for the Senate is a brutal battle. C/S Sen. LLOYD BENTSEN, says that the "experts" think the DEMOCRATS have at least 50-50 chance of taking the Senate. More clips of the film. C/S former Senate candidate HARRIET WOODS, saying that HOWARD BAKER flew to St. LOUIS on the eve of the election and charged that WOODS was going to shut down the McDonnell-Douglas plant; this is the kind of dirty campaigning that all Senate candidates had better be ready for. Sen. PAUL TSONGAS describes his bad treatment in the media during his campaign. Clips of the film instructing candidates in FUNDRAISING and ORGANIZATION. 20.01.36-C/S BRIAN ATWOOD, Democratic Campaign Committee chief describing the film as better teaching tool than a speaker. Shot of a prospective candidate calling the film "sobering". Rep. TOM HARKIN (D-IA) in office, says it's best for all candidates to have the truth-an incumbent Senator is hard to beat. Still of JESSE HELMS and HOWARD BAKER. 20.02.21--WERTHEIMER v.o.-about a dozen REPUBLICAN seats seem vulnerable to Democrats. Shots of a meeting of Democratic candidates. Sen. CARL LEVIN (D-MI) addresses the group, says that DEMOCRATS have to present themselves as "reasonable on DEFENSE" or they will get slammed as "weak on defense". C/S BENTSEN-DEMOCRATS need to run on the economy issue, as recovery progresses, DEMS should focus on the DEFICIT. Shot of door of Democratic Campaign Committee offices, shots of Campaign workers and computer printouts of form letters. A man gives a fundraising pitch over the phone. WERTHEIMER v.o.-Democrats seeking money from the business community this year. A woman cajoles someone to attend a $1,000/plate fundraising dinner. 20.03.56-Sen. BENTSEN strolls through the fundraiser. Shots of Sen. RUSSELL LONG. Shot of a BUSINESS LOBBYIST, says Sen. LONG has a good record of legislation for business. V.o.-if the DEMOCRATS win, LONG will resume chairmanship of the SENATE FINANCE COMMITTEE; BUSINESS wants to keep his ear open to them. C/S Atwood, discusses the potential of the LONG fundraiser for making good business contacts for DEMOCRATS. C/S Sen. LLOYD BENTSEN in office, says he doesn't hope to make all businessmen into DEMOCRATS, but the party should have its fair share. Rep. TOM HARKIN (D-IA) says that it's a good opportunity to court BUSINESS INTERESTS because there's a feeling that DEMOCRATS could take back the Senate and business wants to be sure to have some clout with new committee chairmen. 20.05.33-Shots of LLOYD BENTSEN speaking at the RUSSELL LONG banquet, declaring that DEMOCRATS will take control of the Senate in 1984 elections. Sen. RUSSELL LONG speaking, says he wants to be chair of the FINANCE COMMITTEE again. Gives an anecdote about his uncle EARL LONG. Shots of people dancing (lamely) at the Long fundraiser. Rep. HARKIN says the Republicans are scared, discusses the cycles of parties going up and down. C/S Sen. RICHARD LUGAR, Republican Campaign Chair, denies that the REPUBLICANS are desperate, but it's good to run as if you were behind.