One of my favorite flicks is the Frank Capra classic
”
Mr. Smith Goes to Washington.
”
Originally released in 1939, this delightful romantic-comedy
still rings true
– especially with the rampant corruption we see in American
politics today.
One of my favorite flicks is the Frank Capra classic “Mr. Smith Goes to Washington.” Originally released in 1939, this delightful romantic-comedy still rings true – especially with the rampant corruption we see in American politics today.
Played by Jimmy Stewart, the movie’s hero is a trustworthy, ordinary American guy named “Jefferson Smith.” The idealistic Smith suddenly finds himself a U.S. Senator when he’s appointed to fill the seat of the previously elected senator who dies early in the story.
Honest but naive, the environmentally minded Mr. Smith quickly gets lost in the cynical world of Washington, D.C. There, he learns harsh lessons about how the game of politics is played. He also learns how easily elected officials sell their souls for money and power.
While watching “Mr. Smith” recently, I realized how much the title character reminded me of Jerry McNerney. The Democratic candidate is now running for California’s 11th Congressional District – a district zig-zagging in gerrymandered convolutions from Morgan Hill to Lodi. McNerney looks a bit like young Jimmy Stewart and has some of Stewart’s awkward “aw shucks” charm.
That resemblance between reel life and real life gave me a brilliant idea for a remake of Capra’s beloved motion picture. So, for all you big-shot Hollywood producers who happen to be reading this, I’d like to now pitch my idea for the film “Mr. McNerney Goes to Washington.” Steven Spielberg, are you ready for your next blockbuster?
This is how my movie’s plot goes: We first meet Jerry McNerney, the hero of the story, as a successful wind-energy engineer with a Ph.D. in math. His career goal is to develop alternative energy technologies to clean up the environment as well as wean America off its dependence on foreign oil. A trustworthy, ordinary American guy, he’s a family man living in Pleasanton with a loving wife, two sons and a daughter. He’s a slightly nerdy yet genuinely nice dude who truly believes in American values.
Then on Sept. 11, 2001, the World Trade Center towers collapse after hijacked airplanes hit them. America’s changed forever. McNerney’s son Michael joins the U.S. Air Force to serve his country in this time of great uncertainty.
An officer in the military, Michael learns that Richard Pombo, the villainous cowboy congressman representing District 11, faces no challenger in the 2004 election. Absolutely no one wants to go against incumbent Pombo, one of America’s most crooked and self-serving politicians.
Michael encourages McNerney to throw his hat in the ring and take on the powerful Pombo. “Do it for America, dad,” Michael encourages. “Do it for your country.”
At first, McNerney feels reluctant. He’s never been active in politics. And, as a novice going against the well-financed chairman of the House Resources Committee, he’d face overwhelming odds. Also, McNerney has absolutely no name recognition with voters, and it’s only two weeks before the primary. Fighting Pombo’s corruption is a lost cause.
That night, in my movie, McNerney sits in his living room watching cable television. He clicks the remote and the channel switches, showing Capra’s “Mr. Smith Goes to Washington” on the TV screen. McNerney watches Jimmy Stewart as “Jefferson Smith” tell a corrupt politician: “The only causes worth fighting for are lost causes.”
Inspired by those heartfelt words, McNerney decides to stand up against corruption in America government. He decides to run for Congress.
As a write-in candidate in the primary race, McNerney barely gets the Democratic ticket. He starts campaigning hard for the November 2004 race against Pombo. Friends and family help out. Grassroots support builds. Inexperienced in the political game, he makes a few mistakes, but his honest style wins people’s hearts.
Finally, election day comes and … play sad John Williams music score here… McNerney loses. The first-time candidate, however, received a respectable 40 percent of the votes. He knows he’s got a solid chance in 2006.
Two years later, Americans feel fed up with Washington’s worsening moral decay. They want real political change – and McNerney can give it to them. More confident this time, he’s earning name recognition as people get to know him and his values. Surprising pundits, several polls even show him ahead of opponent Pombo.
Of course, as election day approaches, Pombo gets scared as McNerney’s campaign grows daily stronger. Pombo knows his congressional career lies in jeopardy. So he resorts to dirty tricks, spending million of dollars broadcasting misleading TV and radio ads attacking McNerney. Pombo’s campaign rings up voters with robo-calls falsely claiming McNerney has a “plan” to raise gas taxes. And George Bush – President “Dubya” himself – even comes to Pombo’s rescue with a $400,000 fund-raising breakfast for Republican high-rollers in Stockton.
Like David facing Goliath, however, Jerry McNerney stands strong against Congressman Pombo. He tells people about Pombo’s consistent pattern of taking massive sums of money from lobbyists in exchange for legislative favors. And he points out how Pombo abuses his position of power to profit his family’s San Joaquin property investments.
How will “Mr. McNerney Goes to Washington” end? No one knows yet. But I believe this story, just like “Mr. Smith Goes to Washington,” contains a powerful message. Ordinary American people must stand up against corrupt government regardless of the outcome.
“The only causes worth fighting for are lost causes,” Mr. Smith says in challenging a crook. That’s not just film dialogue. That’s truth.
As our own story reaches its dramatic climax on Nov. 7, expect more dirty politics and mudslinging. Congressman Pombo desperately wants to protect his now threatened job. He’ll do anything to save his congressional seat.
But, like Frank Capra, I’m an optimist about people. I’m optimistic that despite overwhelming odds, one individual – an individual with solid values – can make a powerful difference in creating a better America. I’m also optimistic voters will stand up against graft and greed in government and make the right choice in selecting their representative for District 11.
I’m optimistic we’ll see a happy ending in this real-life story. Like “Mr. Smith,” Mr. McNerney will go to Washington.
Martin Cheek is the author of ‘The Silicon Valley Handbook.’ He can be reached at ma**********@***il.com.
