The Distinguished Gentleman

Political and financial. 586 00:36:57,468 --> 00:37:00,930 Now, you know, Congress has taken many hits of late. 587 00:37:01,014 --> 00:37:02,891 But, Congressmen, look around you. 588 00:37:02,932 --> 00:37:07,896 The people you see here tonight are the ones that have stood behind us. 589 00:37:07,979 --> 00:37:12,066 And they are the ones that will be invaluable to you in your next campaign, 590 00:37:12,150 --> 00:37:15,069 which I might remind you is less than two years away. 591 00:37:15,111 --> 00:37:19,949 Now this is our system of checks and balances at its very finest. 592 00:37:20,033 --> 00:37:24,078 Dick Dodge, from your home state. Gonna run for speaker. 593 00:37:24,120 --> 00:37:26,789 Raises more money than any other member. 594 00:37:26,831 --> 00:37:29,292 But, of course, he's on the right committee, 595 00:37:29,334 --> 00:37:32,420 - Which makes all the difference. - Yeah, of course. 596 00:37:32,462 --> 00:37:35,256 But I'm not telling you anything you don't already know. 597 00:37:35,340 --> 00:37:40,178 No, he's on the right committee, so I guess that makes all the difference. 598 00:37:40,261 --> 00:37:45,141 Not just on the committee. He's chairman of it. 599 00:37:45,225 --> 00:37:48,686 The big boys have to line up to take numbers... 600 00:37:48,770 --> 00:37:50,772 to throw money his way. 601 00:37:50,855 --> 00:37:54,818 - Your friends can always call on you. - No shit. 602 00:37:54,859 --> 00:37:56,986 Thank you very much. 603 00:37:57,070 --> 00:37:59,489 Mr. Johnson? 604 00:37:59,531 --> 00:38:01,574 You know, it's customary for the new members... 605 00:38:01,658 --> 00:38:06,079 to pay a visit on us old fogies in the leadership, especially from your home state. 606 00:38:06,162 --> 00:38:09,290 Well, I would have, but I just got in town. I'm sorry, man. 607 00:38:09,332 --> 00:38:11,960 You know, you can make up for it by having a nightcap with me. 608 00:38:12,001 --> 00:38:15,755 - Absolutely. - Can I have my car take you home? 609 00:38:20,802 --> 00:38:22,804 Excuse me, Mr. Chairman, 610 00:38:22,887 --> 00:38:26,307 but you ain't about to start no homo shit, are you? 'Cause I ain't with it. 611 00:38:26,349 --> 00:38:28,685 Hey. 612 00:38:28,768 --> 00:38:33,189 No! But that's good thinking, Thomas. I'm impressed by your instincts. 613 00:38:33,231 --> 00:38:35,525 I didn't wanna have to whup your ass. 614 00:38:35,608 --> 00:38:37,777 You know what I mean? 615 00:38:52,000 --> 00:38:55,962 Tell me, Mr. Johnson, why'd you come to Washington? 616 00:38:57,714 --> 00:39:01,384 Well, of course, it's an opportunity to do something for my country, and... 617 00:39:01,426 --> 00:39:03,803 Now let's just cut the bullshit. 618 00:39:03,887 --> 00:39:05,805 I saw how you got elected. 619 00:39:05,889 --> 00:39:08,850 Now flukes like you are either nut cases or troublemakers. 620 00:39:08,892 --> 00:39:12,353 I just wanna know which one I've got on my hands. 621 00:39:12,437 --> 00:39:14,355 Why did you run for Congress? 622 00:39:16,357 --> 00:39:18,860 - No bullshit? - No bullshit. 623 00:39:18,902 --> 00:39:21,070 We got this whole topsoil problem... 624 00:39:21,154 --> 00:39:24,240 and, acid rain is killing cattle. 625 00:39:24,324 --> 00:39:27,494 What? Yes? What? What? 626 00:39:27,577 --> 00:39:31,331 - What? - Einhardt! Wake up! 627 00:39:38,630 --> 00:39:41,424 What is the name of that committee Dick Dodge is chairman of? 628 00:39:41,466 --> 00:39:43,885 - Congressman, this is a surprise. - Come on, man, spit it out. 629 00:39:43,968 --> 00:39:46,596 What's the name of the committee? 630 00:39:46,638 --> 00:39:48,723 Come on, come on, come on. What is it? 631 00:39:48,806 --> 00:39:52,685 Power and Industry. 632 00:39:52,769 --> 00:39:54,687 - Is something wrong with the hotel? - No. 633 00:39:54,771 --> 00:39:56,940 Tell me about this Power and Industry. I heard it's really good. 634 00:39:56,981 --> 00:39:59,943 - This is a good thing, right? - Yes, they call it "the honey pot." 635 00:40:00,026 --> 00:40:04,823 Each member is constantly being lobbied by every cash-rich trade group in town. 636 00:40:04,906 --> 00:40:07,867 It's 2:40 a.m. Did you realize that? 637 00:40:07,951 --> 00:40:10,662 Man, forget that! We're public servants. 638 00:40:10,745 --> 00:40:12,914 Time ain't supposed to mean nothin' to us, right? 639 00:40:12,997 --> 00:40:16,626 - How do I get on this committee? - Um, that would be seniority. 640 00:40:16,668 --> 00:40:19,754 After six terms in office, 641 00:40:19,838 --> 00:40:22,048 say, 12 years of service, 642 00:40:22,131 --> 00:40:25,593 your name moves along the list and before you know it, 643 00:40:25,677 --> 00:40:28,972 you're off the Fisheries committee and on to Power and Industry. 644 00:40:29,013 --> 00:40:33,101