P.O.V. {POINT OF VIEW}: LAST MAN STANDING: POLITICS: TEXAS STYLE (TV)
Summary
One in this series of independently produced documentaries. This documentary takes a behind-the-scenes look at a pair of tightly fought elections in President George W. Bush's home state of Texas in 2002: one for state representative in the district that spawned Lyndon Johnson, and the other a gubernatorial and Senate race that pits Bush's ascendant Republican Party against a multicultural Democratic ticket. The program closely follows the state representative race, covering the campaigns of both the incumbent Republican Rick Green and his Democratic challenger Patrick Rose in detail, with both candidates commenting along the way. The documentary covers the governor's race, which pits Hispanic oilman Tony Sanchez (D) against Gov. Rick Perry (R), and the Senate race of Ron Kirk (D), the first African American to run for Senate in Texas, against John Cornyn (R), in more general terms. Throughout the documentary, various national and local figures comment on politics, Texas style: Texas Monthly editor Paul Burka, political commentator (and former Clinton campaign strategist) Paul Begala, and White House advisor (and Bush strategist) Karl Rove, put the Texas races into context, discussing the recent history of Republican dominance in Texas; and former San Antonio Mayor Henry Cisneros and Democratic pollster Paul Maslin discuss the significance of Hispanic voters in Texas politics. The coverage of the statewide races includes footage from the Democratic convention where the "dream team" of Sanchez and Kirk were nominated; footage of former Senator Phil Gramm (R-TX), who says the Democrats want "to divide Texans based on race"; commentary from former Texas governor Ann Richards (D) on both the significance of having a rich Democratic candidate and Ron Kirk's potential; footage of various campaign stops by the less-than-charismatic Sanchez; and footage of the November George W. Bush rally in which "Northern Exposure" actress Janine Turner and President Bush spoke in support of the Republican ticket. Democratic operatives like Billy Leo, mayor of La Joya, and Texas State Representative Garnet Coleman explain the challenges faced by the Democrats in getting Hispanic turnout. Texas reporters including, among others, Dave McNeely of the Austin American-Statesman, Jim Schutze of the Dallas Observer, R. G. Ratcliffe of the Houston Chronicle, columnist Molly Ivins, and Gromer Jeffers of Dallas Morning News, discuss the ins and outs of Texas politics. The coverage of the unfolding Rose-Green race provides extensive footage of the campaigns, covering the following in some detail: the candidates' grassroots efforts at festivals, rodeos, and chili cook-offs; several debates, including the final one in which Texas State Senator Gonzalo Barrientos (D) gives Rose some advice; the press coverage of numerous ethics scandals that plagued candidate Green throughout his campaign; and the drama of election night, where Rose prevails by a very small margin. Rose's victory is the only Democratic win against a Republican incumbent in the election, which awarded Republicans total control of the state for the first time in one hundred years.
Cataloging of this program was made possible by the Corporation for Public Broadcasting.
Details
- NETWORK: PBS
- DATE: July 20, 2004 10:00 PM
- RUNNING TIME: 1:27:22
- COLOR/B&W: Color
- CATALOG ID: T:82225
- GENRE: Public affairs/Documentaries
- SUBJECT HEADING: Texas - Elections - 2002
- SERIES RUN: PBS - TV series, 1988-
- COMMERCIALS: N/A
CREDITS
- Paul Stekler … Producer, Director, Writer
- Sandra Guardado … Co-Producer
- Monica Walters … Associate Producer
- Megan Field … Associate Producer
- Matthew R. McClung … Associate Producer
- Paul Stekler … Narrator
- George Carver … Music by
- Gonzalo Barrientos
- Paul Begala
- Paul Burka
- George W. Bush
- Henry Cisneros
- Garnet Coleman
- John Cornyn
- Phil Gramm
- Rick Green
- Molly Ivins
- Gromer Jeffers
- Lyndon B. Johnson
- Ron Kirk
- Billy Leo
- Paul Maslin
- Dave McNeely
- Rick Perry
- R. G. Ratcliffe
- Ann Richards
- Patrick Rose
- Karl Rove
- Tony Sanchez
- Jim Schutze
- Janine Turner