CONGRESS: WE THE PEOPLE
CONGRESS: WE THE PEOPLE
WETA "CONGRESS: WE THE PEOPLE" IN 11.46.39-WETA credit/funding credits/title sequence 11.47.22-B/W film clip of TRUMAN saying that fighting with Congress is a part of being president. Clip of EISENHOWER saying that he has to fight Congress for help to pass anything. Clip of JOHN F. KENNEDY, says that Congress looks more powerful now that he's president than it did when he was in Congress. Clip of LBJ talking about trying to get Congress to get its butt in gear. Shot of NIXON, says he's very active in meeting with Congress because he doesn't have a majority [unless you count the racist Democrats firmly in the Nixon camp, in which case Nixon's majority was huge]. 11.48.17-Host Ed Newman in Senate "President's Room". Shots of the ornate finishing of the room, Newman says the room is not often used in official business. Discusses relations of the Executive and Legislative branches. 11.49.56-Clip of CBS News footage of JFK describing the problems of a President getting a program through Congress. Shots of senior members of Congress. V.O.-Congressmen can stay in office over the terms of several Presidents and build up longstanding strength. Political scientist discusses the Presidential/Congressional relationship. Clip of TRUMAN discussing Congress, says that the President has to be the lobbyist for "all 150 million people" for the Government to work. Stills of TRUMAN, shot of meeting of Congressional committee chairmen. V.O.-TRUMAN complained bitterly about the "Do-Nothing Congress". Shots of various Congressmen on the campaign trail in home states and districts. Shots of a Party Convention, Rep. BARBARA JORDAN (D-TX) on podium, a military color guard, delegates, etc. V.O.-since Congressmen make up a tiny part of party delegations at nominating Conventions, Presidents don't have any debt to Congress for getting into office. However, the President may have much or almost no effect on a Congressman's chances for election. 11.52.26-Shot of Rep. Jim Coyne (R-PA) campaigning for re-election in a shopping mall. V.O.-Coyne ran into trouble in his district when REAGANOMICS proved unpopular. Shot of Coyne, says that the Deficit, inflation, and interest rates are making it hard for Republicans to ask for two more years. Shot of a campaign town meeting where voters tear Coyne a new one over the Reaganomics budget cuts. Coyne tries to argue that it's the fault of bloated Big Government and not budget slashing, but the people aren't buying it. Shot of Coyne in hoity-toity campaign dinner trying to distance himself from Reaganomics by saying he doesn't believe in deficits. Shot of Coyne in another local meeting. A voter says that Coyne is going to lose the election if he votes for any more budget cuts.