Original subtitles

[music playing]

[music playing]

I still can't understand why Pete

would want to go into politics.

Maybe he wants to do something to help his city.

Since when did a politician want

to help anybody except himself.

I mean, they're all crooks and liars.

Aw, come on, Mark.

There's a lot of good, honest people in public office.

Honest?

You can't be honest.

You tell the truth, you don't get elected.

Well, whose fault is that?

The politician or the people who vote for him?

Both.

I mean, the people want the government to be everything

for them, but they won't elect the guy who says they're

going to have to pay for it.

I mean, we're getting to be like a bunch of spoiled kids

with bad parents.

Well, do you mind telling me why

we're going over to your friend's campaign headquarters

to help him?

Because Pete Nelson is not a politician.

He's a cop who worked his way through law school--

thinks he can make a difference.

Man, you look in the dictionary under the word integrity,

you find Pete's picture there.

Then he's running for mayor because he wants

to do something for his city.

Isn't that what I just said?

Yeah, one of us said it.

The other one said he doesn't trust any politicians.

What are you listening to him for?

[music playing]

I tell, you, he doesn't even look like a politician.

How would you know what a politician looks like?

- Hey, Pete! - Hey!

How are you?

Oh, you always were good at sneaking up on people.

I know.

Hey, listen, I want you to meet my friend Jonathan Smith.

Listen, we kind of work together these days

if that's all right with you.

- Welcome aboard. - Thank you.

I could use all the help I can get.

Come on in, I'll show you around.

Where are you taking us to?

A smoke-filled room?

As a matter of fact, I am, except nobody smokes anymore.

Ann, look who I found out in the street.

Mark Gordon!

Oakland's finest!

How are you doing?

Oh, I'm fine.

I'm so glad to see you!

I'd like you to meet my campaign manager, Phil Schott.

Phil, this is Mark Gordon and Jonathan Smith--

our new advancement.

We've already got advancement--

professional advancement.

That's the problem--

you professionals treat me like I'm running for president.

I can't even go to the bathroom without a press release.

I've known Mark Gordon for 20 years.

He's a buddy, not a PR man.

Besides, if anyone can keep his perspective under fire,

it's Mark Gordon.

That's right.

Perspective doesn't win elections, Pete.

Money wins elections.

Media exposure wins elections.

Advertising wins elections.

You'll have to forgive Phil.

He doesn't have much faith in the voter.

I don't have much faith in anything,

except getting my candidate up on the podium

with a smile on his face come election night.

There is only one rule in politics.

That's to win.

Richard Osbourne knows that rule, believe me.

Who's Richard Osbourne?

He's the enemy, right, Dad?

Don't tell me this is Jeff!

Well, it had better be, or I've been feeding

the wrong boy all these years.

This is the guy who threw the first pass you ever caught,

son.

And now he's All City tight end, Mark.

You're Mark Gordon?

Yeah, that's right.

Well, I'll be!

You know, the last time I saw you, you were about this high.

I remember you being a little bigger, too.

Well, everybody changes over the years.

Almost everybody.

I can't promise to change the system overnight,

but I guarantee you that if I'm elected mayor,

there will be enough books in the school rooms.

And the kids will be able to play in their schoolyard

without fear.

That's what the last mayor said.

Now, what makes you different?

Because the last mayor didn't make you pay the price.

What price?

Higher taxes.

I won't rule out higher taxes if necessary.

Look, in Japan, teachers are in the upper 10%

of the wage scale.

In the United States, they're in the bottom 10%.

But I'm talking about what you-- what you must pay as parents.

The best teacher in the world is a parent.

The best crime prevention I know of

is the example parents give their children at home.

You believe that, Nelson?

First he won't rule out higher taxes--

then he wants the people to solve their own problems.

You see, people want answers.

They don't want lectures.

Yeah, well, whatever he's saying, it's working.

These overnight tracking polls still

have him with higher integrity numbers than you have

and lower negatives.

Well, we'll see what Pete Nelson's integrity

numbers are after we nail his father-in-law.

Pratt, how are you and the US Attorney

doing on the Steelgrave case?

Hmm?

Of course he did insider training,

and he cheated on his taxes.

Nobody made money by being honest.

That's what I like.

Yeah.

Don't let anybody know where you got this idea.

RICHIE OSBOURNE: Dad?

What?

Uh, are we still going on the game on Saturday?

RICHARD OSBOURNE: What game?

The game between Taft and Kennedy.

What, you want me to go watch Nelson's kid beat your school?

Jeff Nelson isn't that good.

We can beat him.

We? We?

What are you talking about we?

You didn't even make the team.

Sheila, I want to go over these debate notes.

SHEILA TROY: Oh, good idea.

Look, I think the harder we hit the drug issue, the better.

I mean, it's headline stuff every day now.

You can't go wrong.

RICHARD OSBOURNE: Well, I want to drop that bombshell

on Nelson tonight.

SHEILA TROY: I thought wanted to save that one for a while.

RICHARD OSBOURNE: Well, no, I think

it's good timing right now.

Because, look, it got Ginsburg out in nothing flat.

- How are you doing today? - Good.

There's some seats right there for you.

Hi, how are you doing?

Nice to see you here.

Follow these guys here.

Hey, you're, uh, Richie Osbourne, aren't you?

Yeah, what of it?

Well, I'm Jeff Nelson.

I'm Pete Nelson's son.

Yeah, I know who you are.

Uh, hey, you go to Taft, don't you?

Yeah.

JEFF NELSON: We play you guys Saturday.

So what?

That was Jeff Nelson, wasn't it?

You know it was, Mom.

His picture's only in the paper every other day.

[inaudible] It's in the news every day, and both of you

know what I'm talking about.

What are you going to do about the drug problem

in our city, Mr. Osbourne?

Warren.

As District Attorney of this city for the last four years,

I prosecuted more drug offenders than anyone in the whole state.

Now, unlike my opponent, I wholeheartedly

endorse the new procedures given to us

by the court and the police to deal with the scum

who would poison our children.

Zero tolerance.

Searching trash-- hot pursuit--

looking through school lockers.

I mean, finally we're getting the tools to bring those who

deal with drugs to their knees!

Mr. Nelson?

There is no more pressing problem in our society

today than drug abuse.

When our children aren't safe from drugs

even in our elementary schools, then

it's time for drastic action.

But it's my opinion that action should center on education

and interdiction, not the hysterical tramplings

of our constitutional rights as favored by Mr. Osbourne.

Drug dealers have no rights.

See, that's the kind of demagogic rhetoric

that confuses the issue.

All American citizens have rights

until proven guilty of a crime.

That's what this country has fought 200 years for.

What-- what kind of message are we sending our young people

when our own government makes deals

with drug dealers in foreign governments

while taking away the constitutional rights

of its own citizens?

That's exactly the kind of remark I'd expect to hear

from a former drug user.

[commotion from crowd]

How did they get that?

Those are pretty serious charges, Mr. Osbourne.

I don't make charges I can't back up.

I, uh--

I believe, uh, Mr. Osbourne is alluding to period 20 years ago

when I was in college.

If it weren't for people like you

in the '60s, we wouldn't have any drug addicts in the '80s!

I admit I smoked marijuana when I was in Berkeley.

We all do things when we're young that we aren't proud of.

If we didn't make mistakes, we'd never learn.

I've tried to teach my own son about the horror of drugs,

including this nation's most vicious killer, alcohol.

When you give your body and your mind over to a chemical,

nothing good can happen.

And I promise you that drug dealers and drug users will be

prosecuted just as vigorously under

a Nelson administration as they would be under my opponent's.

I'd also like to add that if the DA's office wasn't so

busy rummaging through people's 20-year-old trash,

they'd know that I worked for six

years in the Oakland Police Department

in the Narcotics division.

My office is interested in truth and justice, not excuses.

And when it comes to getting tough on crime,

you don't sound very much like a cop.

So maybe that's why you became a lawyer, because you were more

interested in defending the criminals

instead of arresting them.

[applause]

Thank you.

[dog barking]

Good morning.

Oh, good morning, honey.

Mmm.

Your breakfast is on the table.

Thank you.

Oh.

Ready for the Taft game, son?

I better be.

The city championship's on the line.

I hope that little dust-up with Osbourne on the marijuana

issue last night doesn't get a lot

of tongues wagging at school.

Mostly kids are pretty cool about things like that, Dad.

Right.

Well, you're still going to get some slack.

You know that.

I can handle it.

It's not easy being in the public eye, is it?

Dad!

I said I can handle it.

All right.

Look, I got to go.

I don't want to miss geography class.

You mean you don't want to miss, uh, Tracey Clark

before geography class, hmm?

Dad, when you're right, you're right.

Bye, Mom.

Bye, honey.

[dog barking]

I didn't want Jeff to see this.

The US Attorney indicts financier--

Mmm.

Bill Steelgrave was accused of insider trading and tax fraud.

Steelgrave, father-in-law, of mayoral candidate Pete Nelson,

will be indicted in federal court next week.

Oh, God.

Now they're attacking your father.

Welcome to the wonderful world of politics.

Thanks.

[hamburgers sizzling]

There you go, Richie.

Just like you like them.

Cut it!

Was that good for you?

All right, that was fine.

Now we're going do that walking shot.

Come on.

Richie?

Come on, Richie.

Let's move it.

There we go.

All right.

One big happy family.

Shut up.

Stand up straight?

I am.

OK, dolly zoom-- we're going to keep a tight three.

OK?

We're all set.

OK, now I want you to start walking toward me.

Big smiles!

That's it.

How can the voters resist this family?

And cut it!

We'll go one more time.

OK, this time, I don't want you to follow them the whole way.

Don't pan with them.

Let them walk out.

OK?

Richard, these are the latest tracking polls.

This is the latest?

Yeah, they're the overnights.

You're still 10 points behind Nelson--

20 points with women.

The only group you're leading with is white males over 50.

Well, these can't be right.

Because Nelson is an admitted drug user,

and his father-in-law is a crook!

Yeah, I can't figure it either,

but the numbers don't lie.

People must like him.

Or they don't like me.

Look at all these negatives.

They'd like it, Dad, if you gave them a chance--

if you spent some more time talking to them like Nelson

does.

What.

Are you a political consultant?

You can't even get into college, but you know

how to run a campaign, huh?

He was just trying to help, Richard.

Yeah, well, I don't want his help.

He can't help himself, so how can I expect him to help me?

DIRECTOR: Mr. Osbourne, we're losing the light!

Yeah, we're losing the light.

We're losing the damn election.

Come on, let's get this over with.

Hey, Richie.

Come on!

Come on, please!

[music playing]

I hate wearing tuxedos.

I feel like a penguin in a straitjacket.

You mean you feel awkward?

What's funny?

Auk-ward.

Auk-- A-U-K. An auk.

An auk.

It's a-- it's a type a penguin.

It's a joke.

Oh, that's funny.

These just came across the wire on the city news service.

Look at those numbers.

We've got that weasel Osbourne by the short hairs.

Uh, you know I don't trust polls, Phil.

Maybe you don't, but these folks sure do.

[applause]

May I have your attention, folks?

May I have your attention, folks?

I'd like to announce the results of the latest

mayoralty tracking poll, taken over the past 24 hours.

Pete Nelson, 53%--

Richard Osbourne 42%-- with 5% undecided.

[applause]

All right, we've got them now!

Hey, don't be so sure.

Remember, Thomas Dewey would've have

been the 33rd president the United States

if candidates were elected by polls.

Oh, come on, Jonathan.

Don't be such a killjoy.

I'll tell you what--

you don't remind me of Thomas Dewey,

and I won't remind you of your awkward joke.

Hmm?

Now, as I told you at the start of the evening,

we're going to keep the speeches brief.

[applause]

And to lead off the evening I'd like to introduce a young man

who I am sure knows Pete Nelson better than any other man

in this room.

He's a well known gentleman in his own right.

He's an honors student, an All City tight end, and a son

to make any father proud--

Jeff Nelson.

[applause]

Thank you.

Thank you very much.

You know, when my father asked me to introduce him

here this evening, I was, uh--

well, I was very proud, because, well, it gives me

a chance to be his son.

You know, when I was younger, my father worked as a policeman.

And at night, he'd go to school to study law.

Now, that's not an easy task.

You know, but somehow he always found time for his family.

For mom and for me.

Oh, he coached me in tee ball and then Pop Warner.

He loved sports, but he always made sure I

kept them in perspective.

He made sure my education came first.

He taught me to love reading, and he

showed me how hard work can give a person a sense of pride.

He taught me how to be a man.

Aw, he was rough on me when he had to-- trust me.

[laughter]

He doesn't abide telling lies.

Now, mistakes he can understand, but lies, he won't put up with.

But I'll tell you one thing--

he was always gentle with me when I was hurt.

I know this kind of thing embarrasses you, Dad,

but it's your fault for asking me to introduce you.

[laughter]

Ladies and gentlemen, I give you the next mayor

and the best father any kid could ever have--

Pete Nelson.

[applause]

[music playing]

[music playing]

Jeff.

Hey, morning, Mr. Lee.

I received a disturbing phone call this morning.

A boy who said he was a student here at Kennedy

but who wouldn't give me his name

told me you were selling marijuana here at school.

What?

I'm afraid I'm going to have to search your locker, Jeff.

You're going to search my locker because

of some anonymous phone call?

That's right, son.

I'm sorry.

I'll open it for you.

[ominous music]

You know, I--

I know as a parent the pride a father has in his children.

I mean, my-- my own son, Richie, is a senior in high school

like Jeff Nelson.

My first reaction was, there but for the grace of God go I.

Come on, Jon.

Turn the television off!

I don't want to watch this hypocrite!

RICHARD OSBOURNE: I also know as a parent

he has to talk to them.

He has to try to understand them.

I ask for one favor-- one lousy favor!

Turn off the television!

Mark, you were closer to the set than I was.

This lousy motel doesn't have remote control!

You do!

I'm sorry, Jon.

This whole thing with Pete and Jeff and the campaign.

I mean, Pete would make a great mayor!

And I know Jeff wasn't selling drugs in his school.

I mean, that kid doesn't touch anything stronger

than wheat germ.

Well, you're right about that.

It wasn't his.

I mean, all you got to do was look at him.

It wasn't?

No.

You know that for a fact?

Of course you know that for a fact.

Well, who was it?

Who planted the stuff?

It was Osbourne, wasn't it?

I can't tell you what it was, Mark.

What do you mean you can't tell me!

You don't tell me, then Pete loses the election,

not to mention what's going to happen to Jeff!

Mark, I can't tell you who it was, because I don't know.

And even if I did know, we couldn't prove it.

The kid's innocent.

He's being crucified!

We've got to do something.

Now, it was Osbourne.

You know it was Osbourne, and I know it.

Now, I am going to do something to prove that.

[music playing]

There is no way we can keep our heads in the sand

any longer.

Working mothers make up more and more of today's workforce,

yet our city has only three daycare centers in operation.

That's not only bad government-- it's bad politics.

[horn honking]

Pete! Pete!

Excuse me.

Oh.

What is it?

Daddy's in the hospital.

It's his heart again.

Jeff went straight over there.

Can you come now?

I'm sorry! Something's come up.

Family matter.

I have to go to the hospital.

[music playing]

Now, you get that look off your face.

It'll take more than a little complication with the ticker

for me to cash in my chips.

You had us worried, Bill.

Well, stop worrying.

I'm not going to kick off until my name is cleared.

I'm not paying those lawyers all of that money

just to miss my day in court.

You wouldn't be in court if it wasn't for me.

Dad, Pete's thinking about giving up the race.

What?

Is that true?

We've talked about it.

The last couple of days have been rough on everyone.

Rough?

Maybe.

Nobody ever said politics was easy.

I remember once reading about a--

an English MP.

His name was Burke--

Edmund Burke.

Grandpa.

Edmund Burke was Irish, and he lived in the 17th century.

Irish, of course.

I'm glad to see that our schools are teaching something

other than computer ping pong.

[laughter]

Anyway, this-- this Burke was a member of one of the most

corrupt British parliaments.

So bad that many of the best men would have

nothing to do with politics.

And one day his countrymen were complaining

to him about the sorry state of the parliament

and how the king was driving their country to ruin.

Now, old Burke fixed these folks with a hard stare and said,

for evil to triumph, good men must do nothing.

Seems to me those words mean as much today as they did then.

What do you think?

Maybe even more.

[music playing]

What are you doing?

Uh, nothing.

[inaudible],, what are you doing?

Look, I'm not doing anything.

Why don't you go ride your bike?

I know what you're doing.

You're looking for food.

Yeah, right.

You're a bum, aren't you?

No, I am not a bum.

Now, why don't you go ride your trike, huh?

CHILD: If you're not a bum, then why are you looking for food?

Look, I am not looking for food, and I am not a bum.

All right, all right!

You look like a bum.

Excuse me.

I'm looking for some rolling papers.

A friend of mine said I could buy them here.

Sure, you can buy them here.

How many you want?

Oh, one'll be fine.

I'll also need some tobacco.

Oh, we only sell pipe tobacco.

You sell cigarette rolling papers,

but you don't sell cigarette tobacco?

Right.

There's no law against it.

All the stores do it.

Everybody knows what the papers are for.

It'll be, uh, $0.66.

You sell a lot of these?

Look, what's your game, mister?

Are you some kind of cop?

Actually, I'm a private investigator.

You're a PI?

Yeah.

I need some information on this market sales slip.

That's from two days ago.

I know.

We got a magazine-- a bag of potato chips--

pack of the cigarette papers.

Hey, cigarette papers-- this guy smokes doobie, too.

Hmm.

That says charge there on the slip,

but it doesn't say who charged it.

Well, I wasn't here two days ago,

but I'd be easy to find out.

All our charge customers have these numbers.

All I'd have to do would be to, uh,

look it up and tell you this customer's name is Osbourne.

[music playing]

4419 Loma Linda Drive.

Thanks.

Uh, hey, mister.

Uh, you forgot to pay for the papers.

I don't smoke.

[music playing]

This slip proves that somebody in the Osbourne family--

probably Richie-- bought a pack of cigarette rolling papers

the day before Jeff was framed.

Where did you get this slip, Mark?

Where did you get it?

The Osbourne trash.

Listen, I had a hunch about Osbourne.

The only way I could prove it was to go through his trash.

With Osbourne's account number on that slip, all we have to do

is point the reporters in the right direction.

They'll find enough witnesses.

Are you sure, Mark, this is Osbournes?

Listen, the clerk wouldn't lie-- not for 40 bucks.

You mean you bribed someone for this information?

Give him a break, Pete!

He saved your kid's reputation, not to mention the election.

What more do you want?

I can't wait to see the look on Osbourne's face

when he finds out we searched his trash.

Hoisted on his own petard.

I just can't believe Osbourne would do something like this.

We have to give him a chance to explain.

Explain?

His kid didn't think this scheme up on his own.

I don't have to tell you, Pete, if Osbourne had this on you,

he'd go straight to the press.

And I don't have to tell you I'm not Richard Osbourne.

Yeah.

Yeah.

Yeah.

Sheila, you know, that's a swing of over 20 points.

Hmm?

No, no.

I-- no, I'll play it very low-key at the debate tonight.

Yes.

One father understanding the pain of another.

Hmm?

Don't worry.

You know, I didn't just come down on a load of hay.

Sheila, we're in.

You know that?

I'll see you tonight.

We are ready, and the car's ready.

Oh.

That was Sheila.

I was just got the results of the latest poll.

Nelson is down by 10, and I'm up by 11.

So what do you think of that, Mrs. Mayor?

It's wonderful.

That Nelson kid--

I'd kiss him.

That big speech he made about his old man.

Well, he buried him.

I can't wait to get to that debate tonight.

And you, you got to stand up straight.

You got to watch your posture.

You're going to be the son of the next mayor.

Let's go!

Of course he's going to win!

You've seen the polls.

No.

No, we won't forget.

I will.

I'll tell him.

OK.

Bye.

[knocking]

Richie, get that, please.

Richie, I'd like to have a word with your father

if I could.

You work for Nelson, don't you?

What do you want?

Yeah.

My name's Jonathan Smith.

Mr. Nelson asked me to come over and try

to arrange a meeting with him tonight--

a private meeting before the debate.

He wants to see me now?

What about?

He's dropping out, right?

All I know is it's a private matter.

Well, anything that he wants to say in front of me,

he can say in front of my family.

So if he's so anxious to see me, you

tell him to come here himself.

I'll tell him.

It's over.

I guarantee it.

He knows it.

He knows it.

He just wants to avoid that debate.

'Cause he knows it's a done deal.

Sheila, chill up the champagne.

[knocking]

Come on in.

Hi, Pete.

What's on your mind?

This isn't easy for me, Richard.

Well, I'm sure it's not.

My campaign has found evidence that leads us to conclude

that your son, Richie, planted the marijuana

and papers in Jeff's locker.

Boy, I know you're desperate, but that's absurd.

This is a photocopy of a market receipt

charged to your account.

One of the items is a pack of cigarette papers like those

found in Jeff's locker.

What do you mean a photocopy?

How'd you get my market receipt?

I'm afraid you can blame me for that.

I went through your trash.

You had your people go into my trash?

You?

The protector of the Constitution?

You know, I should sue you for slander.

You know, accusing me and my family

for setting up your drugged out kid.

Why don't you ask your son if he bought those papers?

I don't have to.

Richie?

That clerk will be able to identify you, son.

There's no use lying about it.

Richie?

Richie?

It's true.

I planted the stuff.

I'll be happy to let you speak first, Richard,

if you want to clear the air.

But I have to warn you, if you don't

say anything about this matter, I'll

be forced to talk about it--

not to hurt Richie but to redeem my own son's name.

I swear I didn't know anything about this, Pete.

Yeah.

I believe you.

Well, what we need now is some serious damage control.

No, Sheila, what we need now is

for our family to talk alone.

We have a debate starting in a few--

Get out!

You know what you've done?

Hmm?

Do you?

Do you know what you've done?

- I'm sorry. - He's sorry.

You hear that, Liz?

He's sorry.

He's cost me the election!

Why did you do it, Richie?

Why did he do it?

Because he's stupid!

That's why! It doesn't make any difference.

What the hell? It's over.

Let him answer!

Why, Richie?

I wanted to do something to help Dad.

Help me? Oh!

[scoffs] Help me.

Let him finish.

[music playing]

You're always making such a big deal over Nelson's kid.

I knew you wished you had a son like that.

And I hated him, 'cause I knew.

So I did it.

So you'd win and wouldn't want to have a son like him.

I love you, Dad.

I'm sorry.

Please forgive me.

No, get away from me.

Richie!

Richie!

Even now with your own son begging

for your love and mercy, you can't stop being the candidate!

The hell with your son!

The election's the important thing!

What he did was wrong.

It was stupid!

Now, are you trying to justify it?

What Richie did, he did out of pain!

Out of hurt!

He was desperate, and he tried to help his father

the only way he knew how.

Political hardball is what you'd call it.

Negative campaigning taken to its logical conclusion

by a 17-year-old boy.

You seeded an investigation of Nelson's father-in-law--

Richie plants seeds on Nelson's son!

There is a difference, Liz!

Ugh.

Maybe in degree-- not in kind!

This conversation is getting us nowhere.

I've got 5 minutes to try to salvage a political career.

Your career.

Always your career!

For 20 years, I have listened to you moralizing and speechifying

about justice and truth!

You know, the funny part is a part

of me really believed that.

You know, I should have known why all those years you never

had any time for your son.

He wasn't old enough to vote.

[music playing]

Welcome to the final League of Women Voters debate

for this year's mayoral race.

Now by mutual agreement, Richard Osbourne will be speaking

first and then Pete Nelson.

Ladies and gentlemen, district attorney Richard Osbourne.

[applause]

Warren.

Uh, ladies and gentlemen, uh, before I make

my introductory remarks, I would like to, uh, relay

some information that I received shortly

before I came on stage tonight.

Uh, I'm sure you're all aware of the fact

that my opponent's son was suspended

from school last week.

Marijuana was found in his locker.

I have, uh, just been told by my son, Richie,

that Jeff Nelson was the victim of a cruel prank.

A prank that I sadly report was perpetrated by my son.

[commotion from crowd]

Now, I would like to take this opportunity

to apologize to my friend Pete, to his lovely wife, Ann,

and to his son.

I knew nothing of Richie's action.

And as difficult as it is for me,

uh, I would just like to say I take heart in the fact

that when we make a mistake, we can learn from it.

I know that Richie has already learned a great deal, uh,

from his error in judgment--

an error of a son trying to help his father win an election.

But I know that I've learned a great deal.

I've learned that a fa-- that a father can only do his best.

That both of us-- both parent and child--

must assume responsibility for our deeds.

Now, I will stand by Richie as I've always done.

But I, uh, will not shield him from his guilt--

a guilt that is his alone.

You're the DA!

Why don't you prosecute him?

Think how good that would look in the press.

DA shows no favoritism-- convicts own son.

Should be worth 10 points in the election polls.

[commotion from crowd]

Obviously, my wife is very distraught by this affair.

I'm sure you understand that.

Ladies and gentlemen, Pete Nelson.

[applause]

Before I came here tonight, I had a speech all prepared.

It was about the future of our city

and my role in that future.

But then listening to Richard, I begin to wonder

if the important thing about this election--

indeed, all elections--

isn't what the politician can do for the citizen

but what the citizen should do for himself and his community.

Traveling our city the past few months,

I haven't seen a lot of hope.

I've seen fear.

I've seen cynicism, and I've seen apathy.

People ask why our country has lost its competitive edge--

why its citizens have lost their pride.

Well, it's because politicians like myself ask for your vote

by telling you that everything will be all right!

By giving you the good news but not the bad!

By placating you, the voter, not challenging you.

Every day I'm flooded with polling information telling

me what to do to boost my numbers

with Black women or white men.

That's my son-in-law.

Everything about politics today

is to appease and appeal to the various voting groups--

tell them what they want to hear,

not what they need to hear.

Give it to us, Pete!

If this country is about freedom and equality,

why do we have Black polls and white polls

and women's polls and age polls and income polls?

What's he doing?

He's being a leader instead of a politician.

PETE NELSON: Is that how you bring people

together-- by separating them?

Well, I don't think so!

But campaign managers tell you that you need the information

in order to know what promises to make

the different voting groups.

And that's how you win.

And winning is everything!

Oh, and don't worry about those promises

once you're elected, because you don't have to keep them.

People are so used to broken promises,

they don't care anymore!

Politics has become a game packaged by Madison Avenue.

You want to appeal to men, they film you throwing a football.

You want to appeal to women, you kiss the babies.

And whatever you do, don't sweat,

'cause sweating is the kiss of death on television!

Well, I'm here to warn you that if I

am elected mayor of this city, I am going to sweat.

Because it's a tough job!

And you're going to have to sweat, too.

Because having a city that you can be proud of is a tough job!

And in order to get that job done,

we're going to have to work together as a team

and stop thinking about ourselves!

I dream of a city with pride where

people care about each other, not just

with words but with actions.

We have to help the poor.

We have to educate our children.

We have to clean up our environment!

And we have to make our streets safe again for all our people!

But I can't promise you all those things,

although my campaign manager would like me to.

Because it's not up to me--

it's up to us!

This is our city!

This is our country!

And what happens to it is up to all of us!

[applause]

Heck of a speech he made tonight, wasn't it?

It sure was.

Think it could ever happen?

What?

You know, like he was saying--

people working together, helping each other

to make this city-- this country the kind of place it should be.

You think that could ever be?

I don't know.

It's like Pete said.

It's up to all of us.

[dance music]

Hey!

What are you doing throwing your trash in the street?

Big deal!

What do you care?

I care about you trashing up this city!

That's we got street cleaners for, stupid.

[MUSIC - "AMERICA THE BEAUTIFUL"]

(SINGING) America, America, God shed his grace

on thee and crowned thy good with brotherhood

from sea to shining sea.

[music playing]