LAWMAKERS
LAWMAKERS
WETA "LAWMAKERS" 3/01/1984 IN 19.57.53-WETA credit/sponsor credits/title sequence 19.58.42-PAUL DUKE/COKIE ROBERTS/LINDA WERTHEIMER-on program: Senate hearings on ED MEESE nomination to Attorney General, House hearings on ELECTION COVERAGE and POLLING as an influence on elections. 19.59.35-Still of MEESE and REAGAN from California days. B/W film clips of sit-ins and STUDENT UNREST. REAGAN liked MEESE as a "law and order" type who "dealt" with unrest [rather harshly]. Still of MEESE and REAGAN from 1980's. L/S of WASHINGTON MONUMENT from National Mall. Shot of MEESE walking through airport. Shots of MEESE in a meeting of REAGAN ADVISORS. C/S MEESE. DUKE v.o.-lists some controversial aspects of MEESE'S policies, including TAX EXEMPTIONS FOR SEGREGATED PRIVATE SCHOOLS and attempts to weaken CIVIL RIGHTS LAWS, his statement that hunger is not a problem in America, and doubts about his financial dealings. Shots of students in a large auditorium, all reading Bibles. Shot of mostly African-American men entering a SOUP KITCHEN. Shot of MEESE in casual conversation with REAGAN. 20.01.02-Shots of SENATE JUDICIARY COMMITTEE HEARING to confirm MEESE for ATTORNEY GENERAL position. C/S Sen. JOE BIDEN (D-DE), tells MEESE that he had better be "the people's lawyer" and not REAGAN'S lawyer. C/S HOWARD METZENBAUM (D-OH) says that MEESE'S loyalty to REAGAN is a liability to Attorney General's duties. C/S MEESE at witness table, says he will uphold the traditions of service, independence, and integrity as attorney general. C/S Sen. ALAN SIMPSON (R-WY), warning MEESE that DEMOCRATS are going to try to attack him, proceeds to praise MEESE. 20.03.00-C/S Sen. CHARLES MATHIAS (R-MD) expressing reservations about MEESE'S lack of commitment to CIVIL RIGHTS. MEESE says that there are "legitimate differences" about how to best bring about civil rights.