LAWMAKERS, May 10, 1984
LAWMAKERS, May 10, 1984
20.07.07-PIKE argues that CONGRESSMEN want to hide the things they say in debate from the PUBLIC, revising their remarks before printing and censoring footage. Discussion of access to TV FOOTAGE of HOUSE, self-serving to CONGRESSMEN. 20.09.15-ROBERTS-measures to tightly control HOUSE debate footage were withdrawn. Shot of a DEMOCRATIC party campaign director, defends the withdrawal of the bill. Discussion of use of HOUSE footage by CHALLENGERS in CAMPAIGN ADS-illegal for current HOUSE members to use footage in CAMPAIGNS. ROBERTS v.o. notes that REPUBLICANS have TAPED every word spoken in this session of CONGRESS as a deterrent to DEMOCRATS. REPUBLICAN Campaign Committee chief says this is "insurance" against DEMOCRATS' attacks. Shot of BAUER, says public will be subject to manipulated footage out of context. Shot of directors in HOUSE video camera control room. Shot of Rep. BILL ALEXANDER, says the law should extend ban on HOUSE FLOOR footage to challengers' ads as well. 20.11.46-Shot of HOUSE podium. ROBERTS v.o.-ALEXANDER has, however, hired media consultants to get footage of DEMOCRATS in debate on T.V. NEWS. Shots of MEDIA CONSULTANT on phone. Shot of BARNEY FRANK speaking in debate. ALEXANDER says if DEMOCRATS make good points in DEBATE, it's fair to push the footage to TV networks and stations. Shot of a Washington bureau chief for Kansas TV station, discusses a KANSAS congressman getting on the TV news about once a week, valuable exposure, for free. 20.12.49-Shot of JOHN FLORESCU, a media consultant hired by DEMOCRATS. Discusses wish to exploit the media to the max. ROBERTS v.o. discusses rush of both REPUBLICANS and DEMOCRATS to exploit CABLE T.V. and C-SPAN, writing speeches with T.V. in mind. 20.14.07-ROBERTS/WERTHEIMER in studio. Discussion of CONGRESS' relation to MEDIA. WERTHEIMER discusses practice of CONGRESSMEN filming speeches in empty HOUSE CHAMBER that look like real debate speeches, to send to TV. 20.15.30-WERTHEIMER with news briefs. Fallout over SOVIET OLYMPIC BOYCOTT. Shot of Rep. FRANK ANNUNZIO arguing that OLYMPIC OFFICIALS have been "kissing their hammer and sickle" to get SOVIETS to participate in OLYMPICS. RESIGNATION of REAGAN economic adviser MARTIN FELDSTEIN. DEMOCRATS sorry to see him go because he often disagreed with REAGAN. Shot of Rep. WILLIAM RATCHFORD, calls FELDSTEIN lone voice in WHITE HOUSE for reducing DEFICIT. SETTLEMENT in LAWSUIT by VIETNAM VETERANS against manufacturers of AGENT ORANGE. Shot of Rep. TOM DASCHLE, outdoors, CAPITOL in background. DASCHLE says the settlement is proof that AGENT ORANGE is linked to VETERANS' problems, a strong case for GOVERNMENT action to assist VIETNAM VETERANS. RECEPTION to show the PHOTOGRAPHIC talents of CONGRESSMEN. Shots of PHOTOS taken by MEMBERS OF CONGRESS. 20.17.50-WERTHEIMER-story on observance by SENATE of 110th birthday of HARRY TRUMAN. SHOT OF SENATE chamber, all seats filled. Shot of woman in military uniform singing "I'm Just Wild About Harry". Shot of TRUMAN relatives. Shot of Rep. ALAN WHEAT, young CONGRESSMAN from TRUMAN'S home district. WHEAT calls TRUMAN "man of the people". Shot of SENATORS applauding. 20.18.45-old b/w film shot, TRUMAN addressing radio microphones from SENATE chamber, asking for SENATE'S help in succeeding ROOSEVELT. Old b/w shots of WHITE HOUSE flag at half mast, TRUMAN taking OATH OF OFFICE. Shot of Rep. CLAUDE PEPPER, discussing his memory of TRUMAN taking office. Still shots of TRUMAN, in SENATE COMMITTEE MEETING, a PORTRAIT. 20.19.55-Shot of TRUMAN biographer DAVID McCULLOUGH. Discusses TRUMAN'S SENATE career. Rep. PEPPER says TRUMAN wasn't a powerful SENATOR until the TRUMAN COMMITTEE on NATIONAL DEFENSE. WERTHEIMER v.o.-TRUMAN COMMITTEE an effort to study expenses of WORLD WAR. Shots of WWII era ARMY CONVOY, BOMBERS, SOLDIERS marching. Shot of TRUMAN inspecting BOMBERS on AIR BASE. WERTHEIMER-v.o.-TRUMAN COMMITTEE saved TAXPAYERS $15 billion by stopping WAR PROFITEERING. Shot of Rep. PEPPER, discussing TRUMAN COMMITTEE being aggravating to F.D.R.. 20.21.13-Old B/W film of TRUMAN shaking hands with supporters, signs for 'TRUMAN FOR VICE-PRESIDENT" at a CONVENTION, TRUMAN with FDR, TRUMAN marching ahead of group of ARMY OFFICERS in a VICTORY PARADE. McCULLOUGH calls TRUMAN an exceptional man. Shot of SENATE podium, singing of "God Bless America" in honor of TRUMAN'S 100th birthday. 20.22.18-WERTHEIMER/ROBERTS in studio-discussion of TRUMAN'S presidency seeming much better in history than it did to people at the time. ROBERTS signs off. 20.23.05-closing credits/transcript order information/WETA credit/sponsor credits/PBS ID