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The Candidate (1972 film)

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The Candidate is a 1972 film about a candidate for the U.S. Senate from California who has no hope of winning, so is willing to tweak the establishment.

Directed by Michael Ritchie. Written by Jeremy Larner.
Nothing matters more than winning. Not even what you believe in.  taglines

Bill McKay

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  • We subsidize trains, we subsidize planes. Why not subsidize people?
  • Crime isn't an issue, it's a symptom.
  • Everything that happens is a complete surprise to me.
  • [with his team after giving one speech too many] Can't any longer play off black against old - young against poor. This country cannot house its houseless - feed its foodless. [begins making gagging noises] They're demanding a government of the people - peopled by people. Our faith, our compassion, our courage on the gridiron. [makes the sound of an explosion] The basic indifference - that made this country great. And on election - and on election day - we won't run away. Vote once, vote tuh-wice, for Bill McKay, you middle-class honkies!
  • The time has passed when you can turn your back on the fundamental needs of the people. And don't think that you can distract them any more by playing off the young against the old, black against white, the poor against the less poor. I think the time has come when the American people realize that we're in this together - and that we sink or swim together. And I say to you, maybe, just maybe that's the way it should be. A test of our courage, of our compassion, our faith in ourselves, and our faith in our country.
  • I can tell you what's basic for the ghetto. It's a scandal. There's no hospital. There's no on-the-job training for medical aides. There's no housing program. Excuse me, just a second. They have no housing program. They have no public transportation. There's no birth control centers.
  • Maybe I am middle class, in a way. But I didn't find that out today. I found that out working with people trying to make sure their kids have enough to eat tomorrow morning.
  • Are there any questions? I'd be happy to respond to anything that's on your minds. Any comments? Suggestions? Dirty jokes?
  • [last line] What do we do now?

Senator Crocker Jarmon

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  • The solution to welfare is not more welfare! It's more enterprise, more industry, and more jobs. Now, there are those who say to industry, don't build, don't develop, don't cut a single tree or you'll destroy our watershed, and so on, but I know that when the time comes for building, we will build, because building means jobs. And - and we'll find a way to love Mother Nature - and preserve her - without going to extremes.
  • But I remember this: I remember my mom and dad went through the 1930's without welfare, without poverty programs. Why - none of us kids even had a social worker. How did we do it? Ladies, excuse me, but we worked our butts off!
  • You think I'm mean? If I am, I've spent the last 18 years in the Senate being a meanie - and, if need be, I will spend another 18 years working to keep this country healthy and growing and moving into the future!
  • I tell you this, good people, that Crocker Jarmon still believes that individuals are responsible for themselves. And so does the vast majority of the American people. And that's why we're going to tell Big Brother to get lost!

Howard Klein

[edit]
  • We'll label him "Mr. Geritol." and you'll do the "I'm-my-own-man" bit. Okay, now, for starters, we have to cut your hair and 86 the sideburns. All right, let's go.
  • You see that? He works from a staged pose. How many politicians you know can look straight in the camera without coming off shifty eyed?
  • The bottom line is this: I like what you stand for. You've got balls, Otherwise, I wouldn't take you on.
  • You just get it on with the people. Let me worry about the cameras.
  • You might just make it, my friend. People are gonna take a look at our stuff and see a guy with guts. They're gonna take a look at the Crock and think maybe he can't get it up anymore.

Dialogue

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Bill McKay: You're free, McKay. You don't have a chance, so say what you want. It's just between you and the public. The question is whether you can put your ass on the line.
Lucas: No, the question is whether it's worth it.
Lucas: You're the Democratic nominee for Senator.
Bill McKay: You make that sound like a death sentence.
Floyd J. Starkey: There's no point in us chewing over our differences. When we get right down to it, you might find we have a lot in common.
Bill McKay: I don't think we have shit in common.
Jaime: This thing you call politics? Politics is bullshit.
Lucas: I was wondering what it was.
Klein: I dig it! It's raw, but I eat it up. A lot of work to be done, my friend, but I get the feeling you know where you're going.
Bill McKay: I don't.
Bill McKay: [in a mock session, preparing for a TV interview, Bill is asked what he thinks about legalized abortion] I'm for it. I think every woman should have that right.
Lucas: Ah, uh, wait a minute, Bill. You can't put it that way.
Bill McKay: That's what I think.
Lucas: Well, it's not going to be understood without hell of a long explanation. So, eh, how about this for time being? Uh, just say it's worth studying.
Bill McKay: Okay. I'll think about it.
Bill McKay: I'm going to challenge Jarmon to a crapshoot. Crapshoot is a matter of individual enterprise. Crapshoot made this country great.
Lucas: God made this country great.
Bill McKay: God shoots crap.
Klein: You're going to be sitting camera right. All the time while Jarmon's talking, just keep looking at Jarmon. Jarmon talks, you look at Jarmon.
Bill McKay: Right.
Klein: Try to keep your eyes steady. Don't blink. Whatever you do, don't look up at all. Don't look up. Don't look up, because your eyes are glazed and you look cock-eyed. You look like a moron.
Bill McKay: I just worked through the weekend - 20 straight hours - and I loved every minute of it. So, why do I need what you're offering? I'm happy.
Lucas: You're happy?
Bill McKay: Yeah.
Lucas: Clams are happy. What did you accomplish?

Taglines

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  • Nothing matters more than winning. Not even what you believe in.
  • Too Handsome. Too Young. Too Liberal. Doesn't have a chance. He's PERFECT!
  • Bill McKay has a lot going for him... but nothing compared to what's coming.

Cast

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