RETURN OF THE WAR ROOM, THE (TV)
Summary
This 2008 sequel to "The War Room," the 1993 documentary about the strategists who helped engineer Bill Clinton's successful run for the White House, revisits the principal players from the '92 presidential campaign and addresses subsequent changes to the political landscape.
Interspersed with footage from the original 'War Room" documentary, communications director George Stephanopoulos and campaign strategist James Carville -- the chief members of Clinton’s "war room” -- discuss the origin and environment of the "war room," while other staff members recount the many controversies surrounding the early Clinton campaign. They also discuss the impact that independent presidential candidate H. Ross Perot had in the months leading up to the election and how they worked to change Clinton’s image by sending a less political, more personal message.
Stephanopoulos tells a story about a news item concerning the campaign of Republican contender George H. W. Bush which they unsuccessfully tried to sell to the networks. Clinton media consultant Mandy Grunwald explains how information can be -- and was -- taken out of context during a campaign. Clinton campaign chairman Mickey Kantor then comments on the Clinton/Bush debates and how they affected public perception of the candidates.
Mary Matalin, Carville's wife and deputy campaign manager for George H. W. Bush in 1992, recounts her first meeting with Carville and how their relationship blossomed despite conflicting political agendas. Matalin discusses her feelings about Carville’s announcement that he would work for Clinton’s campaign and both address how they resolved their feelings for each other. Matalin also offers insight into the Bush campaign and her difficult communications with Carville at that time. Matalin concludes by revealing what her relationship with Carville was like after Clinton won, and how she adjusted.
Many of the campaign staffers share personal stories, such as Clinton senior strategist Paul Begala’s recollection about how Clinton allowed him to take time from the campaign for the birth of his first child. Perot pollster Frank Luntz relates his experience in the '92 campaign and his political work since then. Stephanopoulos recalls a talk with Clinton that made him feel personally responsible for his the election's outcome. Lisa Caputo, Hillary Clinton's press secretary, talks about her experience on election night, and how she took Bush's concession call before tearfully congratulating the next president.
The emergence of technological advances since 1992, particularly the Internet, and the effects on subsequent campaigns is detailed by Grunwald, Clinton press secretary Dee Dee Myers, and Clinton financial director Rahm Emanuel. The production concludes as many of Clinton's former staffers tell how closely they remain in contact.
Details
- NETWORK: Sundance Channel
- DATE: October 13, 2008 9:00 PM
- RUNNING TIME: 1:21:41
- COLOR/B&W: Color
- CATALOG ID: B:93412
- GENRE: Public affairs/Documentaries
- SUBJECT HEADING: Politics as a profession
- SERIES RUN: Sundance Channel - TV, 2008
- COMMERCIALS: N/A
CREDITS
- Wendy Ettinger … Executive Producer, Producer
- R.J. Cutler … Executive Producer, Producer
- Frazer Pennebaker … Executive Producer, Producer
- Lynne Kirby … Executive Producer
- Laura Michalchyshyn … Executive Producer
- Samuel J. Paul … Supervising Producer
- Wendy Smith … Associate Producer
- Rebecca Lando … Assistant Producer
- Chris Hegedus … Director
- D.A. Pennebaker … Director
- Collier Andress
- Heather Beckel
- Billy Begala
- Charlie Begala
- Diane Begala
- Paul Begala
- Patrick Begala
- Bob Boorstin
- George H. W. Bush
- Lisa Caputo
- Emma Carville
- James Carville
- Mattie Carville
- Bill Clinton
- Chelsea Clinton
- Hillary Clinton
- Rahm Emanuel
- Karen Finney
- Gennifer Flowers
- Al Gore Jr.
- Stan Greenberg
- Mandy Grunwald
- Curt L. Herbert Jr.
- Mickey Kantor
- Dennis Kucinich
- Frank Luntz
- Kevin Madden
- Mary Matalin
- Mark McKinnon
- Mark Miller
- Dee Dee Myers
- H. Ross Perot
- Ricki Seidman
- George Stephanopoulos