A government for the people, by the people. This is what our forefathers envisioned when they first drafted the US Constitution. Our government is supposed to be one of equal representation, but is it? Does the political system work anymore? Is it even possible for the little man to win a seat in public office in our society? Or must one be a Kennedy, a Bush, or a body building former movie star in order to win a political campaign?

Frank Popper’s new documentary Can Mr. Smith Get to Washington Anymore? explores this subject by following the campaign of Jeff Smith, a candidate in the 2004 primary to win the democratic party’s nomination for the US House of Representatives seat in Missouri’s 3rd district. Smith, a twenty-nine year old adjunct political science professor at Washington University, decided to campaign for the seat that was left vacant by the departure of Dick Gephardt, who was retiring after twenty-eight years in Congress. Smith had no name recognition, no money, and very few political connections. Despite these setbacks, Smith set out to challenge Russ Carnahan and eight others for the nomination. Russ Carnahan had the name recognition (the Carnahan name in Missouri is akin to the Kennedy name in Massachusetts), the money, and plenty of political connections. It would be a David versus Goliath political battle, but Smith was up for it. With a campaign staff of twenty-somethings, who among them had little or no experience in running a political campaign, and 350 young volunteers, Smith began a good old fashioned grass roots campaign. The campaign was based on five major strategies, 1) Door to Door (every day for an hour or two Smith would knock on doors and introduce himself to the people of Missouri), 2) Coffees (the Smith campaign would host coffees at the homes of supporters where he would discuss the issues with the people), 3) Kids (the 350 volunteers and the youthful exuberance they would bring with them), 4) Yard Signs (signs in support of Smith littered the lawns in the greater St. Louis area), and 5) Direct Mail (the Smith campaigns inventive mailers attacking the decisions of the Bush administration were the highlight of the campaign). With a platform based on equalizing the educational experience for children of all races, nationalities, and monetary classes, health insurance for everyone, and a pro-choice stance on abortion, Smith and his enthusiastic personality would pose a huge threat to the juggernaut that was the Carnahan campaign. Smith’s campaign was a rarity in today’s world in that it was one based on the merit of the issues and not of negativity.

But, was it enough? Does an unknown candidate have a chance in today’s political society? Or, does big money and vicious attacks win a seat in office? Well, to find out, you’ll have to go to see Can Mr. Smith Get to Washington Anymore? to find out. It is playing at the Kendall Square cinema for a one week engagement starting November 3rd.