CONGRESS: WE THE PEOPLE
CONGRESS: WE THE PEOPLE
14.39.04-Newman-discusses the role of party leaders in organizing the votes. The minority leader needs to win not only his own party votes, but the votes of defectors. Rep. MICHEL in office, says he'd like to experience the feeling of having all his ducks in a row from committee to Rules to the floor vote instead of having to scramble around to get votes. Shots of 1980 Republican conference where MICHEL is named Minority Leader. MICHEL speaks in favor of his candidacy as Jack Kemp looks on. Political scientist compares Michel to his Republican competitor Guy Vander Jagt of Michigan. Shot of Michel accepting the leadership, lays out a Republican agenda to be unified behind the Reagan program and running "commando raids" for Democratic votes. MICHEL in the well of the House, railing against a Rule that is unfavorable to Republicans. Rep. LYNN MARTIN (R-IL) in office, says MICHEL is a great leader of the GOP. Shot of MICHEL in lunch meeting with REAGAN and TIP O'NEILL. Shot of MICHEL in meeting with other GOP members. MICHEL in his home, says he advocates the Reagan program, but he also needs to be frank about letting REAGAN know when his policies are bad for REPUBLICANS-part of his job is giving Reagan the bad news. 14.42.41-Shot of MICHEL taking the Well of the House. TIP O'NEILL in office praises MICHEL'S skill as a leader. MICHEL in uniform as manager of the Republicans in the House baseball game, MICHEL in straw boater hat singing in a barbershop quartet, in WWII uniform, with his family. MICHEL in his home, talks about growing up in the Depression, and being fortunate to have the chance to do what he does, feeling that he has to honor that trust. 14.43.55-Majority Leader Rep. JIM WRIGHT (D-TX) playing harmonica at a fundraiser. Shots of people loading up on Barbecue at Wright fundraiser. Stills of WRIGHT in WWII uniform, with other Texas Congressmen. WRIGHT in office, speaking about former speaker SAM RAYBURN. WRIGHT says that Texas politics are diverse within the Democratic party, so it's good practice for working to keep liberal and conservative Democrats in line. Portrait of the 1982 Texas Congressional delegation. Shot of Wright in Tip O'Neill's office. Political scientist discusses Wright's leadership qualities. Wright in meeting of Freshmen Democrats. WRIGHT in Well of House, running down the Democrats' agenda. Wright in Well, giving a theatrical speech that draws cheers from Democrats and hoots from Republicans. 14.46.45-Wright says that a Majority Leader needs to fill different roles to keep the party together. WRIGHT says he'd like to become Speaker. 14.47.48