LAWMAKERS, March 29, 1984
LAWMAKERS, March 29, 1984 - Report on Senator Gary Hart
Linda Wertheimer, sitting at a table, in studio with Cokie Roberts and Paul Duke, says the election year is having an effect on budget debate. Democrats wanted to wait for the first few primaries to begin making budget decisions. Results of first primaries is a sense that voters do not want "pandering to the special interest". Duke asks if "yuppies" in favor of Senator Gary Hart (D-CO) on Capitol Hill. Wertheimer says some members of Congress favor Sen. Hart, but less than for U.S. Senator Walter Mondale (D-MN). There are plenty of yuppies on Capitol Hill, getting "younger and more aspiring every day". Duke laugh and transitions to Cokie Roberts for her report on Sen. Hart.
LAWMAKERS, March 29, 1984 - Report on Senator Gary Hart
Cokie Roberts, in studio, says that U.S. Senator Gary Hart's campaign raises questions on exactly what his ideas and policies are. Roberts talked to Sen. Hart's colleagues in the Senate and Congress to get a sense of Sen. Hart's ideas and policies. Close-up of adult African-American female hand, pressing buttons on a multi-line phone; zoom out to woman on the phone taking a message; adult Caucasian man on the phone in BG. Adult Caucasian female campaign worker on the telephone answering question about Sen. Hart's stance on abortion (pro-choice). Female campaign worker on the phone stating that Sen. Hart is concerned about getting jobs for the American people. Roberts, in voiceover, states that Sen. Hart's staff working is hard to get the word out to voters on his policy issues and stances, which aren't clear. Adult Caucasian woman working in cubicle. Pegboard; zoom out to show cluttered office, man sitting in chair. Woman on telephone, taking a message. Two men working in office.
LAWMAKERS, March 29, 1984 - Report on Senator Gary Hart
Cokie Roberts, in voice over, states that U.S. Senator Gary Hart's former Chief of Staff, Larry Smith, says Sen. Hart has put forth his ideas, but not always in the traditional mold. Smith, seated in office, says Sen. Hart has been involved in a host of social programs, concerned with making them more effective, but unlike traditional Democrats, he has been a hard worker in arms control and defense policy. Sen. Hart delivering a presentation to a Senate committee in hearing room; Roberts, in voiceover, Sen. Hart worked outside the framework of the Armed Service Committee to form a new Caucus on Military Reform.
LAWMAKERS, March 29, 1984 - Report on Senator Gary Hart
U.S. Senator Gary Hart, in Senate hearing room, advocating a defense budget that is "not the most expensive the nation can afford", but balanced and adequate. Sen. Hart states that a number of like-minded members of Congress have come together to form the new caucus as a kind of "Military Reform Movement". Launch countdown timer. MX missile launching from a silo for a test. Cokie Roberts, in voiceover, notes that Sen. Hart's defense budget calls for eliminating controversial programs like the MX Missile and B-1 Bomber, but "beefing up" the U.S. Navy. U.S. Navy Destroyers at sea, U.S. Navy A-6 Bombers landing on flight deck of aircraft carrier.
LAWMAKERS, March 29, 1984 - Report on Senator Gary Hart
Paul Hoven, Military Procurement Project, seated in office, says that U.S. Senator Gary Hart (D-CO) and his allies have been called "cheap hawks", and it's partly true, but the specifics are not agreed on by all in the group. Basic principle of Sen. Hart's effort is "more bang for less bucks". VS of Sen. Hart speaking at a Congressional hearing, witnesses seated at tables, men and women seated behind them. Cokie Roberts, in a voiceover, notes that in Sen. Hart's other major committee, Environment and Public Works, he took a "middle ground" between industry and regulation that often angered both sides. Middle-aged adult Caucasian male witness consulting with another adult Caucasian man at witness table. Roberts, in voiceover, says Sen. Hart made a public mark by investigating Three Mile Island, along with Republican colleague Sen. Alan Simpson (R-WY). Sens. Simpson and Hart seated on committee dais; Simpson in FG.
LAWMAKERS, March 29, 1984 - Report on Senator Gary Hart
U.S. Senator Alan Simpson (R-WY) says Sen. Gary Hart (D-CO) brought him on a helicopter to go to Three Mile Island to survey the accident site. Aerial of Three Mile Island nuclear facility. Cokie Roberts, in voiceover, states that Sens. Hart and Simpson worked to enact changes in nuclear policy, but Sen. Hart was not successful in legislating a moratorium on nuclear power. This is indicative that Sen. Hart's strength is not in convincing others to take his point of view. Larry Smith, former Chief of Staff to Sen. Hart, says Sen. Hart's form of leadership is not about winning votes in a given framework of debate, but in influencing what the frame of debate will be. Sen. Hart exiting a building with predominantly male staff around him. Sen. Hart walking in a street surrounded by staff. Roberts, in voiceover, Sen. Hart's goal of changing the frame of debate is not easy in Washington D.C., where people have established ways of doing business, so he has an "outsider" reputation.
LAWMAKERS, March 29, 1984 - Report on Senator Gary Hart
Frank Mankiewicz, former aide to George McGovern, says if there is a "Senate Club", U.S. Senator Gary Hart (D-CO) is not the kind of Senator who would be a member. Sen. Alan Simpson (R-WY) says Sen. Hart works in his own individualistic way, and it's a threat to many. Pan from Capitol building to a townhouse down the street; Cokie Roberts, in voiceover, says Sen. Hart did form a "club" of sorts which met at a lobbyist's home. Twelve lawmakers, including Congressman Martin Frost (D-TX), a strong Hart supporter. Roberts interviewing Rep. Frost in his office; Frost says it was a rare opportunity to talk to other legislators who understood different views on the issues.
LAWMAKERS, March 29, 1984 - Report on Senator Gary Hart
U.S. Senator Gary Hart (D-CO), surrounded by security personnel, walks through crowd to the Capitol Building; Cokie Roberts, in voiceover, states that Sen. Hart had problems turning ideas into legislation, and was not interested in the "nitty gritty" of creating legislation. Sen. Alan Simpson (R-WY) says Sen. Hart is impatient with the process of making legislation. Sen. Hart speaking in a committee meeting; Sens. Daniel Patrick Moynihan (D-NY) and Alan Simpson there; Sen. Simpson, in voiceover, says legislation, done right, is "the dryest form of human endeavor". Sen. Simpson says legislation that is done right means amending, compromising, "workin' and scratchin'". Sen. Hart was impatient and didn't like this. Frank Mankiewicz, former aide to George McGovern, says Sen. Hart was not the type of Senator to put in the gradual work over time to slowly bring an issue into law.
LAWMAKERS, March 29, 1984 - Report on Senator Gary Hart
U.S. House Representative Martin Frost (D-TX), in his office, says U.S. Senator Gary Hart (D-CO) is someone who is trying to "stir the pot", trying to make people think, has a lot of ideas, not all are practical in the legislative arena, but always trying to bring attention to the issues. This is what a President should be, but to succeed as President, Sen. Hart will need the help of "political technicians" to get his legislation enacted.