ArchPundit

Tonight on WTTW

“Can Mr. Smith Get to Washington Anymore?” (10:30 p.m. Tuesday, WTTW-Ch. 11) has not only a catchy title but an intriguing concept at its core. In these days of megabucks candidates raising millions of dollars for statewide and even local races, let alone national contests, it is worth examining whether a grassroots politician with little dough and few connections can win a seat in Congress.

In 2004, then-29-year-old novice Jeff Smith — yes, he’s named Smith, just like the candidate in the Jimmy Stewart movie — decided to try just that. With no money, no political support from established party types and with an army of young volunteers, the educator mounted a race in the Democratic primary for a St. Louis-area congressional seat.

Russ Carnahan, scion of a Missouri political dynasty, was also in the race, and it’s a measure of Carnahan’s apparent lack of sizzle and Smith’s indefatigable energy that Smith, who was initially dismissed by other candidates and by the press, ended up being a credible candidate. Even if you’re not a political junkie, this documentary offers a sliver of hope that a candidate with no money for negative TV ads but lots of energy, yard signs and caffeinated volunteers can accomplish something in politics.

On the downside, “Mr. Smith” is far too long and doesn’t do a good job of tracking Smith’s progress to the front rank of candidates or putting the race in a local or national context.

The Facebook Group for the movie is here There are a bunch of still shots there as well–fortunately, Matt left out my brief shot in the movie.  I didn’t look good.  David Loebsack is in a couple scenes, as are several folks from the Chicago area.
MySpace here