Original subtitles

MAN (ON RADIO): In the Lancing area,

the snow advisory is for tonight.

JACK TANNER: The important thing now, Mrs. Adelson,

is that, um, my message is being heard, and, uh--

MRS. ADELSON (ON PHONE): We just love your new commercials.

Every time they come on, we get so excited.

JACK TANNER: That's right. That's right.

We're getting the message out there.

We're being heard.

And I think with, uh, with folks like yourself involved,

we can go all the way now.

Well, I know you have other financial obligations.

MRS. ADELSON (ON PHONE): Do you have any special amount

in mind for donation? - No, no.

I had no specific figure in mind-- couple hundred--

MRS. ADELSON (ON PHONE): I'd like to give

$1,000 to you on my own. - $1,000?

MRS. ADELSON (ON PHONE): Yeah, I just love what you're doing.

Well-- well, that would be just great.

MRS. ADELSON (ON PHONE): And I'm so sorry about my husband.

He's a--

Well, that would be wonderful, Mrs. Adelson.

MRS. ADELSON (ON PHONE): OK, I'll put the check in the mail

this afternoon. - Thanks again.

MRS. ADELSON (ON PHONE): Sure. Bye bye.

Bye.

[hangs up phone]

MAN (ON RADIO): You can see all sorts of moisture now.

This is some pretty significant snowfall, and it is moving--

JACK (VOICEOVER): March 11, 1988-- I'd spent the day

talking with contributors.

Even after a year of such calls, it still

amazes me how many ordinary citizens

feel strongly enough about an election's outcome to give.

Their faith lends much dignity to the whole process by which

we choose our country's--

[knocking on door]

Dad?

"USA Today" is on the other line.

They want to know if you were a fruit

or vegetable, which one would you be?

EMILE: So what did I tell you about Tennessee?

Did I tell you 17% of the vote, like "The Wall

Street Journal" poll?

No, I did not.

Why?

Because I am not a dork.

TJ: Good thing not to be.

I am not a crook.

STRINGER: I'm not a bimbo.

EMILE: I told you, 23% of the vote.

I told you a strong third place, right?

How did I know that?

Because I used the right models.

I screened, and "The Journal" just went for any warm body

who happened to own a phone.

TJ: I used to do that.

Now, I don't insist on the phone.

EMILE: You know what's wrong with these,

like, these big media polls-- the ABC, "The New York Times--"

all those?

They don't care.

They have no vested interest in what the results are.

So, I mean, they try to cut down on their cost.

They make 500 calls.

They throw out, like, 20 of them.

They can't afford to do it right.

But I, as a private pollster, can't afford to do it wrong.

A candidate cannot use bullshit data, no matter

how favorable it may seem.

See?

My sample is so clean, it gives me a sinus headache.

TJ: It's time.

Yes!

This is for real.

EMILE: Just so you know, I make 1,500 calls,

I throw out 1,200 of them.

ANNOUNCER (ON TV): He didn't make

the pass to finalize the play.

A little bit of hot dog, right there, by Jesse Hall.

[drum cadence on tv commercial]

JACK (ON TV): Noisy dissent, our raucous squabble,

weakened us as a country, caused us to lose our supremacy.

Don't you believe it.

We are the envy of this world.

Why?

Because throughout our history, we have always maintained

that we can do better.

We've insisted that we can do better.

We've always been willing to reinvent

ourselves for the common good.

In our darkest hour, leaders-- real leaders--

have always stepped forward to hold

the American people to the responsibility of citizenship.

Well, it's time for that kind of leadership now.

I'm not sure that it's me, but I like the chance to find out.

[paper tearing]

[keys typing]

What the fuck was that?

[chuckles]

Well, campers, that's why we're happening.

We're getting the what-the-fuck-was-that vote.

[laughs]

[interposing voices]

EMILE: --just $12 bucks less than a private contractor.

So Jack is getting the cheapest but the best

information in the business.

We track it since day one, right.

And when the new ads hit in New Hampshire, I had Jack at 11%.

Nobody else even had him on the plate.

You can, like, hear it all the way down in Boston.

The same thing with Super Tuesday-- we

stole Nashville right out from under Gore

when he wasn't even looking, and we took

it all on the expectation scan.

TJ: OK, let's try to wrap this part

up, and let us know how the magical mystery

tour Is coming along.

STRINGER: OK, we got the six stops in Ohio

confirmed with the satellite teleconference

set for 5:30 in Cincinnati.

TJ: Great, great.

Then we overnight in Louisville

and hit (SOUTHERN ACCENT) Nashville by noon.

(NORMAL VOICE) Fundraiser's set for 7:30.

Who's playing down at the Nashville fundraiser?

STRINGER: Waylon Jennings.

EMILE: Yeah, and he's absolutely perfect for us.

He's authentic.

He's passionate.

And he's an outsider.

And that outlaw image works great for us.

STRINGER: He plays right into your outlaw images.

JACK: Who is the genius who ran off my FBI file

for this new brochure here?

EMILE: Well, that would have to be me,

but all of the good parts have been blacked out.

TJ: Now, Jack, that has been public domain ever since you

gave it to "Mother Jones."

And we've gotten a lot of great comment on it.

And quite frankly, I don't mind being

described as the strawberry blonde fellow traveler.

Now Oh, did you come in different flavors back then?

Oh, Emile, please. JACK: I don't know, guys.

The public information bio is left to be desired.

I think--

Jack, it's absolutely right for us.

You're running an insurgency campaign.

Nothing establishes your credentials

as a Washington outsider more of that

having been investigated by the Federales.

And besides, It also proves that you have nothing to hide.

I mean, if the FBI can't dig up anything on you,

what reporter is going to want to buy it?

STRINGER: David Seidelman.

David Seidelman?

Oh, God.

Is he on the bus now?

Yeah.

I suppose we should be flattered.

"The Post" pulled him off Bush.

EMILE: Bet that wasn't a pretty sight.

OK, anything else?

STRINGER: Oh, yeah-- one more thing, Jack.

I don't want to make you any more

self-conscious than we probably already have,

but this wire photo.

JACK: So what's the matter with it?

STRINGER: Suit bag.

[chuckles] I'm carrying the suit bag.

Is that-- that isn't real enough for you?

STRINGER: With all due respect, Jack-- carrying your own bag

is the wrong symbol at the wrong time.

It says that you either can't or won't delegate.

It says Jimmy Carter. EMILE: Oh--

TJ: Oh, Stringer.

EMILE: That's low.

The people may want you to be for real, Jack,

but that doesn't mean they want you to be like them.

They want someone who is comfortable with authority.

Here-- let me show you what I mean.

You remember that day that you and Alex

ran into Dole outside the New Hampshire debate?

Thank you.

Bye bye.

Come on, kiddo.

OK, let's go.

Thank you.

Thanks so much, Senator.

Yeah, I like your button.

I wish I had thought of one like that.

We'll give you one.

We'll give you one if want one.

- Got a souvenir? - Yeah.

STRINGER: OK, she gives him her button, right?

Now check this out.

There.

[interposing voices]

He's got a button catcher.

Smooth, eh?

This is a man who's comfortable with power, who knows,

without looking, where his staff is

and what they can do for him.

There's a lesson there.

EMILE: Yeah, Jack.

You've got to start treating us like shit.

STRINGER: That was Reagan's secret.

No president has ever appeared more at peace with himself.

EMILE: Yeah, especially on his way to war.

On his way to bed.

[chuckles] No, I think what we've got here

is a case of mixed signals.

Now you want Jack to be real.

You want Jack to be natural.

You also want Jack to operate from some supposed

state of grace.

[interposing voices]

You've got to appear ready--

Try to appear that way is a contradiction in terms.

That's what Daniel Boorstin alluded to in his book

is the human pseudo event.

It's an invitation to self-deception,

to hide reality from ourselves-- god damn it.

OK, OK, big guy.

You want real, you got real-- real dark.

Come on!

[blows whistle] Let's go, folks!

We're running late.

Oh, watch your step, Michael, this is slick.

Just kind of slide on back.

OK-- Susan Sloan, ABC.

Susan Sloan, ABC.

Brown from "The Sun."

[interposing voices]

Got you.

Hi, cutey.

Hey, Lily.

How you doing?

Good.

Hey, Frank, your office wants you to log in by noon.

The committee writing in your piece wants a conference call.

Let's go!

Back!

We're running late, folks.

Do you know that [inaudible]

[interposing voices]

Got ashtrays for all you in the nonsmoking section.

Anybody want some?

Here, here.

Anybody else?

All right, we're having that classic carburetor trouble.

So while the bus is warming up, I'll

run down the schedule for you.

OK, our ETA Bowling Green is now 9:30.

All right, we've got two, count them,

two blue-head gigs-- one at the senior citizens center

and one at the VFW auxiliary.

We'll have them all set up at the center,

so that's your best sound bite op.

All right?

OK, ETA is 12:10 in Fort Shawnee.

Oh, let's re-board at 11:15.

OK?

Not 50-- 15.

Thank you.

Uh, OK, Fort Shawnee is 12:10.

All right, we're just doing a very lengthy

photo op with the [inaudible]

[horn honking]

Thanks, pal. Whoa!

Whoa! Whoa!

One more.

One more.

Keep the door closed.

Check your list.

That's rude.

[interposing voices]

I'm a size nine and a half.

Seidelman, David Seidelman.

Kincaid, Stringer Kincaid.

Hark, Molly Hark.

Molly, I thought you were with [inaudible]

Taggerty, Hayes Taggerty.

Driver, bus driver.

[interposing voices]

Let's go.

Now!

Quote de jour!

Quote de jour!

STRINGER: Tanner campaign quote de

jour today Is from George Bush.

Quote, "I mean combat, OK.

When you're in there, it's tension city."

Unquote.

Thank you.

Ms. Cavanaugh?

Yes, Stan?

What is it?

This is Congressman Kennedy on the phone again.

He has called three or four times.

I don't know what to tell him anymore.

And there's a young lady waiting out here to see you too.

OK, I'll take care of it.

Why did you go home?

OK, sounds good. Goodnight.

OK, goodnight.

I'll see you tomorrow.

[door opens and shuts]

Surprise.

Hi.

I'm going to call you right back, OK?

Right.

I promise.

Bye.

Well, hi.

Hi.

Hey, I'm sorry to just drop in on you

like this, Mrs. Cavanaugh.

I mean, I know I'm supposed to be

holding down the fort and everything in New Hampshire.

But stuff at home, I mean, it's just got-- you see, my father--

he just hates the Democrats.

Did I tell you that?

Well, Daddy was really, really-- I mean,

I've never, never seen him like this.

And, I mean, especially with my s-- oh, god!

My sister, Joy. God!

And that is why I left.

Whoa, whoa, whoa, Andrea, you're here, and it's fine.

Let's deal with it.

[sobs] Ms. Cavanaugh, I have never

done anything like this before.

I mean, I have never left home.

Andrea, Andrea-- why don't you call me TJ, like

everybody else around here.

OK?

OK, TJ.

OK.

Now, then, what do you you want, Andrea?

Do you want to work for the national campaign?

Because I got to tell you, honey, I can't carry you.

I can't give you a room, salary.

No, no.

Mrs. Cavanaugh, that's OK.

TJ.

TJ.

I mean, that's OK because see-- I took out my savings.

You're going to meet your own expenses?

Yes.

Yes, I promise.

I mean, working for Congressman Tanner is the most

incredible opportunity.

And I--

Can you drive a car, Andrea?

Yes, yes.

I-- yes.

Oh, god.

Listen-- everybody around here who works wears one of these.

Put it on.

Wow.

[chuckles]

TJ, let me ask you something.

OK?

All right, now, you don't have to tell me if you

don't want to, or anything.

Just ask, ask, ask.

OK, like, were you guys ever lovers or anything like that?

Andrea, maybe you should go back

to calling me Mrs. Cavanaugh.

OK?

"Hart idolized Warren.

When he me Beatty, he tried to emulate him.

He would ask his secretary to find some excuse for him

to fly to Los Angeles so he could cavort at Beatty's pool

with topless starlets."

[laughs]

Molly?

Molly?

Molly, listen to this.

Molly? Molly?

Hmm?

"Suddenly, someone happened to look across from the bar

to the lobby and saw Lee Hart.

Gary, obviously, didn't have an inkling

that she was coming because he and Shirley MacLaine

were in his hotel room."

Who's reading "The New York Times?"

Please stop.

You believe that crap?

Uh, no, I don't.

It might have in somebody else in Shirley's body.

But it definitely wasn't her.

You see what she did, David?

What's that, Hayes?

People like you took one of the best politicians

of his era-- turned him into a sideshow

on the supermarket media.

Happy?

And you weren't interested, Hayes, right?

You took a pass.

Hard to imagine, isn't it, Dave?

[music playing]

- Emile? - Yeah?

You're all loaded up.

Go get Jack.

[interposing voices]

OK.

Hey.

Hi, Emile.

OK, careful, Jack.

I don't want anything to happen here.

I think you better let me take this.

Jack, let him take the damn bag.

Let's go.

This is us?

Yeah, come on.

TJ: Jack, I'd like to go over this agenda with you one more

time.

All right, we'll see you in Nashville then.

Press conference with the candidate

from Bowling Green, folks.

Behave yourself.

Uh, Stringer, are we non-side-specific again today?

Afraid so, Molly.

Jack's, uh, feeling real today.

Real what?

Non-side-specific?

You know, Stringer, you should put Tanner on lithium.

I'm getting too old for this shit.

Non-side-specific.

[interposing voices]

Well, I think it's a little soon.

[interposing voices]

Yeah, I want to-- we did very well down there.

[interposing voices]

REPORTER: --to see this upward movement?

JACK: Yes, I just said that. Yes.

Are you kidding?

No way.

Excuse me, could you get out of the way

so we can see this picture?

Oh, well, I think it's a little soon.

Yeah, I want to-- I want to thank some people.

We did very well down there, you know,

[interposing voices]

Yes.

[interposing voices]

I think it's very significant.

Senator, have you heard from [inaudible] whether or not

he plans to support you or not?

Uh, no, I haven't spoken to him.

I hope he does.

I like him.

[interposing voices]

Well, I want to go back down there and talk to some people.

Yes, the Cold War is over, you know.

We won.

Some people aren't acting like winners, however.

Andrea?

Can we get some kids in here?

Get some children, all right?

Does anybody have any Dramamine?

[music playing]

It's riding backwards.

Why do you say [inaudible]?

Why is it about riding backwards, Seidelman?

OK, we got to go.

[interposing voices]

[whistle blowing]

Now I've seen this phenomenon over and over again.

A really good TV ad actually helps

a good candidate get better.

It's not so much that they believe

the ad as they aspire to it.

You know, they want people to believe

they are who they say they are.

That's why the Tanner campaign, "For Real,"

has been so successful.

Well, what happened to "The Future is Now?"

Well, Molly, "The Future is Now" was then,

and "For Real" is now.

And in any case, it allows Jack to be himself.

And let's face it, when Jack's himself,

he just blows away the field.

I mean, I'm sure some of you have noticed that some campaign

handlers have to keep their candidates

from being totally themselves.

Yeah, like Dole.

Yeah, like Dole-- Dr. Jekyll and Mr Hyde.

They have to keep taking his hatchet away.

George Bush-- he's a spin controller's nightmare.

He's all thyroid.

[laughter]

No, there's no battle for Jack Tanner's soul.

His passions are real.

They're palpable.

Well, melts in your mouth, but is

it going to stick to our ribs?

[static on radio]

STRINGER (ON RADIO): TJ?

Where's my walkie talkie?

STRINGER (ON RADIO): (SINGING) TJ!

Yes, Stringer?

STRINGER (ON RADIO): We got to get

Jack to Nashville right away.

We got an Easter Seals benefit taping that we can't pass up.

It's airing in April.

And we got a "Nightline."

We got a "Nightline?"

STRINGER (ON RADIO): Yeah, lining up [inaudible].

Oh, Stringer, great work.

I'll meet you at the airport.

STRINGER (ON RADIO): 10-4, babe.

Well, ladies and gentlemen, we've got a "Nightline."

[clapping]

The "Nightline" is side-specific?

TJ: Yes, the "Nightline" is side-specific.

ANDREA: Congressman, do you have your toothbrush?

JACK: Well, I certainly hope so, Andrea.

[bus horn honking]

[air brakes hiss]

Which?

All right, I need my bag.

I got it.

I got it.

Relax.

ANDREA: Congressman, do you have all your bags?

JACK: Yeah. I got it.

I got it.

ANDREA: Congressman, you're all set.

JACK: Get-- help her.

TJ: OK, Andrea, get on the bus.

ANDREA: Well, what about the car?

TJ: It's a rental. Leave it.

On the bus!

Come on.

ANDREA: OK, that's TJ's.

All right, have a safe flight.

Wait! Whoa!

Wait.

Wait!

I want you to set up right here.

Where the hell's the--

Any room, Congressman?

No way, sir.

This plane is full.

- Uh, we should talk. - Why not?

Don't tell me my job.

You should know your god damn job.

Come on, squeeze me in.

TJ promised me some time, you know?

I just want to make sure that it's for real.

Well, it's too late now, isn't it?

ANDREA: They left me in charge!

MUSIC: I remember my father, oh--

ANDREA: Mr. Seidelman!

MUSIC: My father was wild.

He battered her.

He shattered her.

God rest her soul.

She'd pack it all up and take her high heel stroll.

This Charlie Chase along with Lorianne Crook,

and we're coming to you live from the Opryland Hotel

Pickin' Parlor, the site of a gala event

tonight featuring Waylon Jennings, New Grass Revival,

and Danny Darst.

This is a huge reception for a very

popular presidential candidate, Jack Tanner.

Throughout the evening, we'll be having live reports.

We'll be talking with some of the dignitaries here.

Perhaps, we'll even talk with Jack Tanner himself.

Right.

It's going to be quite a party, and we

want you to be a part of it.

JACK: OK, hi.

How are you?

Excuse us.

Thanks for coming by.

[interposing voices]

- Speaker Murray-- - Yes, how are you tonight?

Come before our cameras, please.

Thank you.

You must tell us.

Why is Jack Tanner such an important presidential

candidate, in your opinion?

Well, I've known Jack Tanner for many years,

and I feel like that he can represent

the views of the people of the United States

better than any other candidate.

This is the headliner tonight here at the Jack Tanner

fundraiser-- Waylon Jennings.

I saw you sign in.

Where'd you learn how to write?

Oh, I didn't learn how.

[laughs]

All right, you're here supporting--

X works everywhere.

I believe in Jack Tanner.

Yeah, I'm here.

Mm hmm?

I believe in him.

What are-- what's the most appealing quality about Jack

Tanner to get somebody like yourself, Waylon Jennings,

out here to support him?

Well, I'll tell you what.

I'm a country boy, and I believe in people being real.

And he seems real to me.

A lot of people say he is for real in '88.

Is it too much to ask if you're going to vote for Jack Tanner?

I intend to vote for him just as soon as I pay my poll taxes.

Representative Wheeler, can we speak with you a moment?

Well, certainly.

Can you tell us why you're supporting

candidate Jack Tanner?

Well, Jack Tanner has a very exciting philosophy.

He has views on nuclear waste that all the people

in this group can envelop.

And it's-- it's-- he's just the kind

of candidate we can be for.

This is Debby Mason.

She is the assistant to the mayor of Nashville, Bill Boner.

Does the mayor know you're here tonight?

This is our man.

He knows I'm here.

What can I say?

Do you-- now be honest.

Do you think Jack Tanner has a chance in '88?

He's got the chance.

That's why we're for him.

That's why we're here tonight, and

we're going to show everybody else

how we're for him like we are.

We have representative Lois DeBerry here.

Turn toward the camera, please. - OK.

Why do you support Jack Tanner?

Well, I think he's young.

He's energetic.

And I think that he's the kind of president that can

lead us into the year of 2000.

Now you're a lady.

Does it have anything to do with the fact

that he's a very handsome candidate?

It has, uh, no bearing on it, but I

think that any time you have a president that's

easy to look to, that helps.

Representative Rob Stallings from Tipton county, right?

No, I'm from Hardeman County.

Hardeman County?

Yes, I live down in west Tennessee,

and I-- I'm the chairman of the agricultural committee.

And I'm for Al Gore!

Can we turn you toward the camera, please, sir?

Yeah, yeah.

And, once again, why are you here tonight?

I'm supporting Jack Tanner for president.

He is my man.

Now why is he your man?

Well, I feel like that he's a rural fellow, you know.

And I feel good about it.

I'm from the rural area.

And I sold my whole herd of sheep for him.

MUSIC: A lonely country boy with a Stetson Open Road.

He rolled a one-handed cigarette, and [inaudible]

TJ: I want you to meet Paula Denson.

[interposing voices]

Excuse me, folks.

Bad news, boss.

The bus broke down. - What?

The press bus-- I just got word they're stranded

outside Clarksville.

Oh, great.

And all we got for coverage are the local Ken and Barbies.

Well, who's in charge of the bus?

Um, I'll let TJ tell you.

Andrea.

ANDREA: Excuse me.

Excuse me, everyone.

Excuse me.

I'm sorry.

Listen-- [interposing voices]

I'm really, really sorry about this,

but, um, Stan is in the back trying to fix the bus.

He's the driver who knows his bus.

I'm sorry.

And, uh, we should be back on the road in no time.

Right, Stan?

All right, in the meantime, I just want to apologize.

I mean, I know you are all really looking

forward to Waylon Jennings.

[music playing]

If old Hank could only see us now.

If he could see what we got going down.

We got Lear jets and buses, chauffeured limousines.

We done moved from the Ryman and the Opry's on TV.

I'd give a hundred dollars if I could

know somehow what he'd think if old Hank could only see us now.

Well, Nashville's got too rich to sing the blues.

They've traded in their cowboy boots

for high-heeled Gucci shoes.

Looks like they took the music out to lunch.

There ain't a decent yodel in the bunch.

If old Hank could only see us now.

If he could see what we got going down.

We got game shows and videos and a lot of souvenirs,

drum machines and synthesizers ringing in our ears.

I'd give a hundred dollars if I could

know somehow what he'd think if old Hank could only see us now.

Yeah!

[crowd cheers]

[music continues]

[interposing voices]

Deal

--and Ralph Emery's on TV.

I'd give a hundred dollars if I could

know somehow what he'd think if old Hank could only see us now.

[crowd cheers]

We spent two hundred thousand dollars making compact discs.

And the records never scratch and never break--

[music stops]

--ver break, ver break, ver break [chuckles]

[crowd cheers]

Yeah!

Thank you.

Right now, I want to introduce somebody special

to you-- Congressman Jack Tanner,

the next president of the United States.

[crowd cheers]

Thank you very much, Waylon.

Thank you.

[crows begins chanting "tanner"]

Thank you very much, folks.

Thank you, Waylon.

Now if you stick around after I get through with this short

speech-- and I will make it short--

you'll hear a terrific group called the New Grass Reunion--

CROWD: Revival.

Revival.

It's a political remark.

[chuckles]

The New Grass Revival.

[crowd cheers]

I also want to thank Danny Darst and that gang of bandits

that he plays with.

You guys look, act, and play like Tipper

Gore's worst nightmare.

And thanks to you folks, I've become

Al Gore's worst nightmare.

[crowd cheers]

Excuse me.

Excuse me.

[crowd becomes louder]

Jack, come down there.

Some guy's got a knife.

Oh, Jesus. Where's Lexi?

She's OK. There she is.

Come here, darling.

You all right?

[interposing voices]

You see the guy with the blade? [chuckles]

- What's so funny, Stringer? - Sorry.

Nothing's funny.

It's just some weird way of sort of a break.

You just qualified for Secret Service protection, Jack.

You're in the majors.

TJ: Let's go.

[drum cadence plays]