Can Mr. Smith get to Washington Anymore?
Jeff Smith is more than a candidate for the Missouri State Senate, he is also the focus of a new documentary film:
This documentary is the story of a 2004 Democratic congressional primary race for the U.S. Congress—a race to replace Congressman Dick Gephardt of St. Louis who had held the seat for 28 years. It’s told from inside the campaign of Jeff Smith, 30-year old part-time political science instructor at Washington University.
Though this was Jeff’s first bid for office, he had worked on several races including Bill Bradley’s presidential run.
A total of ten people entered the race, but his chief opponent was the man whose name is associated with the biggest dynasty in Missouri politics: Russ Carnahan. Carnahan, a Missouri state representative, is the grandson of a former U.S. Congressman. His father was a former Governor; his mother was a former U.S. Senator.
In addition to his name recognition, Carnanhan had state legislative experience, strong ties to the political establishment and an ability to raise lots of money locally and from around the country.
The odds for Jeff were overwhelming. But he had political savvy, charisma, and an ability to lead an insurgent, youth-oriented grassroots campaign of over 300 volunteers.
This is a David and Goliath story. One that shows what confronts fresh political faces with new ideas and passionate supporters when they go head-to-head against the corporate establishment, name recognition, and a population of voters that, for the most part, don’t pay attention.
The documentary has been accepted to the Silverdocs documentary film festival in Washington D.C. next month. The film makers are planning screenings at the Tivoli and will allow me to view the film before it is publicly shown.
– Steve
How do you get an invitation to the screening?
Tom,
The World Premiere will be in D.C. at the Silverdocs Festival. A final Date is not set but it will be sometime between June 13-18. After that a theatrical run in St. Louis (and potentially other cities) is a possibility along with other screenings, none of which have been solidified yet, but will be in the near-term future.
Thanks, I would like to see it. I hope Jeff gets elected to the state senate this fall.
Who are the filmmakers?
Margie:
From Deb Peterson:
POPPER’S PRIDE: A documentary by Frank Popper of Webster Groves has been chosen to be aired at the Silverdocs Festival, which is run by the American Film Institute and the Discovery Channel. Popper’s documentary – “Can Mr. Smith get to Washington Anymore?” – is based on Jeff Smith’s unsuccessful 2004 campaign to succeed former U.S. Rep. Dick Gephardt. It was one of 50 documentaries chosen out of 1,700 that were submitted for review. The film will be shown during the six-day international festival, which begins June 13 in the Washington area. Word is that the documentary portrays the U.S. political process as being distorted and tilting in favor of those with access to money, power and name recognition. Hence, the film’s title.
“Mr. Smith Goes to Washington” is itself about a naive, idealistic simpleton who gets used as a pawn by those with access to money, power, and name recognition. Jeff Smith is quite the opposite.
“naive, idealistic simpleton who gets used as a pawn by those with access to money, power, and name recognition”
Francis Slay?
“naive, idealistic simpleton who gets used as a pawn by those with access to money, power, and name recognition”
Francis Slay?