LAWMAKERS
LAWMAKERS
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. 20.10.33-Shots of 1974 HOUSE JUDICIARY COMMITTEE HEARING to Impeach RICHARD NIXON, pan to LOTT, insisting that NIXON was innocent. C/S LOTT in office, says he wouldn't switch his vote. C/S LOTT in office, says he realized early in his career that the South was falsely stuck with a Democratic label, so he ran to succeed his retiring predecessor as a REPUBLICAN, not a DEMOCRAT. Still of LOTT campaigning. C/S LOTT in office, discussing past experiences as a DEMOCRATIC aide as a help to his career. Shot of LOTT in RULES COMMITTEE HEARING debating rules. C/S Rep. GILLIS LONG (D-LA) says LOTT knows the House rules inside out. 20.12.50-M/S LOTT with colleague in office, handshake and a joke. C/S LOTT in office, says he believes that legislation must be passed, he will fight for his side, but not derail the process if he can't win. WERTHEIMER v.o.-LOTT does have a PARTISAN reputation and SOUTHERN DEMOCRATS think that LOTT is more REPUBLICAN than SOUTHERNER. C/S Rep. GILLIS LONG, says LOTT is too bound to conservative agenda to represent the needs of the rural poor in the South. C/S LOTT in office, says he's a committed conservative, but he thinks he's flexible.