LAWMAKERS, May 24, 1984
LAWMAKERS, May 24, 1984
IN 20.45.45 20.45.45-WETA CREDIT/SPONSOR CREDITS/TITLE SEQUENCE 20.46.33-PAUL DUKE/COKIE ROBERTS/LINDA WERTHEIMER in studio. DUKE-on program: LIBRARY OF CONGRESS, CONGRESSIONAL CARTOONS. 20.46.56-DUKE introduce report on Sen. LOWELL WEICKER (R-CT), a "liberal REPUBLICAN", clashing with CONSERVATIVES on SOCIAL WELFARE reforms. 20.47.10-Shot of Sen. WEICKER in office, Says purpose of government is to fix shortcomings in society. Shot of SCHOOL PRAYER rally in front of CAPITAL in March, 1984. A choir, wearing yellow robes, sings. Shot of Pro-Prayer crowd at CAPITOL VIGIL for SCHOOL PRAYER. Shot of marchers in front of CAPITOL. Shot of PRO-PRAYER zealot calling opposition to SCHOOL PRAYER "tyranny". Shot of College-aged males and leader preparing to lobby CONGRESS for CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT for SCHOOL PRAYER. DUKE v.o. credits WEICKER'S oppostion with defeating SCHOOL PRAYER initiative. 20.47.49-Shot of Sen. WEICKER, says that he does not want any set of beliefs imposed by the government. Shot of WEICKER standing on runway next to LEARJET. Shot of WEICKER reading newspaper riding in jet. Shot of Rep. Stuart McKINNEY (R-CT), discusses WEICKER'S unorthodox standing in REPUBLICAN PARTY. WEICKER says that the CONSTITUTION has worked for so long, it must be continually guarded, resists the idea that American ideals "have been achieved, now we can all sit on our ass". 20.48.59-Shot of Ralph NEAS, CIVIL RIGHTS advocate, praising WEICKER as guardian of CONSTITUTION, starting with WATERGATE hearings, becoming premier Senator on CIVIL RIGHTS. Shot of ERVIN COMMITTEE panel, WEICKER giving speech that expresses his embarrassment at NIXON'S practices reflecting on REPUBLICANS. WEICKER discusses WATERGATE hearings. Shot of Sen. DANIEL INOUYE, praises WEICKER'S courage as an investigator of WATERGATE. Shot of WEICKER exiting office. DUKE v.o.-CONSERVATIVES charge that WEICKER has made a career out of opposing other REPUBLICANS. 20.50.55-Shot of Richard VIGUERIE, editor of CONSERVATIVE DIGEST, complains that WEICKER is always on DEMOCRATS' side on issues, has a new and revisionist perspective on CONSTITUTION. Shot of WEICKER walking down sidewalk on D.C. street. WEICKER states he wants to give a "new dimension" to REPUBLICAN PARTY, it cannot become the majority party with only the CONSERVATIVES. Shot of a cartoon of WEICKER, series of stills of other "Senate Mavericks". 20.52.20-Clip of ANTI-WEICKER campaign ad of 1982, REPUBLICANS TO REPLACE LOWELL WEICKER chairman Peg Dolan, an old woman in an armchair, attacks WEICKER'S record, DUKE v.o. says WEICKER had hard fight to win primary in 1982 against conservative challenger. Shots of WEICKER supporters, WEICKER family at a campaign rally. Shot of Rep. McKINNEY, discusses WEICKER'S struggle in 1982, says WEICKER loves a contest, is not called "jolly green giant" for nothing. Shot of WEICKER at a CARNIVAL MIDWAY, meeting Senior Citizens and children. McKINNEY, v.o., says it's either love/hate, but more love WEICKER in Connecticut than hate him. 20.53.21-Shot of SENATE OFFICE BUILDING, shot of WEICKER sitting in a conference room. Discussion of WEICKER'S advocacy of disability issues after birth of his son with DOWN'S SYNDROME [Down Syndrome]. Shot of DUKE interviewing WEICKER. DISCUSSION of WEICKER'S reputation for GRANDSTANDING. WEICKER compares himself to Ferdinand the Bull (from a popular children's story) who only gets agitated when "a bee comes and stings him in the butt". Shot of WEICKER blowing out candles on a birthday cake. Fails to get all of the candles. Staffers look on, laugh. Shots of WEICKER and staff in relaxed mood at birthday party in office. 20.55.07--Shot of WEICKER seated on CAPITOL STEPS with large group of children. WEICKER lectures children on possibilities of doing good through politics and government. WEICKER v.o. discusses love for government, frustrations with some aspects of the game. INDEPENDENCE has a price. Shot of WEICKER, from rear, lecturing children, Columns of CAPITOL in background. 20.56.01-DUKE/WERTHEIMER/ROBERTS in studio. Comments that WEICKER feels strongly alienated from other REPUBLICANS, WEICKER professes to wear his ties loose "just in case some REPUBLICAN comes along and tries to strangle me". Discussion of WEICKER'S outsider status and career, enemy-making tendencies.