Query: Films set in the Southwestern United States about ideologies but not about totalitarianism
Domain: films
Relevant documents:
The Candidate (1972 film)
Bulworth
The Best Man (1964 film)
Mister America
Opposites Attract (film)
Swing Vote (2008 film)
Evidence from documents: The Candidate (1972 film): Films set in the Southwestern United States: Marvin Lucas (Peter Boyle), a political election specialist, must find a Democratic candidate to oppose three-term California Senator Crocker Jarmon (Don Porter), a popular Republican. With no big-name Democrat eager to enter the unwinnable race, Lucas seeks out Bill McKay (Robert Redford), the idealistic, handsome, and charismatic son of former California governor John J. McKay (Melvyn Douglas).
ideologies: With McKay only nine points down in the polls, Jarmon proposes a debate. McKay agrees to give answers tailored by Lucas, but just as the debate is ending, McKay has a pang of conscience and blurts out that the debate has not addressed real issues such as poverty and race relations.
Bulworth: Films set in the Southwestern United States: The film follows the title character, California Senator Jay Billington Bulworth (Beatty), as he runs for re-election while trying to avoid a hired assassin.
ideologies: After a televised debate during which Bulworth derides insurance companies and the American healthcare system while drinking from a flask
The Best Man (1964 film): '''''The Best Man''''' is a 1964 American political drama film directed by Franklin J. Schaffner with a screenplay by Gore Vidal based on his 1960 play of the same title. Starring Henry Fonda, Cliff Robertson, and Lee Tracy, the film details the seamy political maneuverings behind the nomination of a presidential candidate. The supporting cast features Edie Adams, Margaret Leighton, Ann Sothern, Shelley Berman, Gene Raymond and Kevin McCarthy. Lee Tracy was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor for his performance and it was his final film.
In May 1964, former Secretary of State William Russell (Henry Fonda) and Senator Joe Cantwell (Cliff Robertson) are the two leading candidates for the presidential nomination of the Democratic Party. Both have potentially fatal vulnerabilities. Russell is a principled intellectual but his sexual indiscretions and lack of attention to his wife Alice (Margaret Leighton) have alienated her. He has a past nervous breakdown to live down. Cantwell portrays himself as a populist "man of the people" and patriotic anti-communist campaigning to end "the missile gap". He is a ruthless opportunist, willing to go to any lengths to get the nomination. Neither man can stand the other; neither believes his rival qualified to be president. At the nominating convention in Los Angeles, they lobby for the crucial support of dying former President Art Hockstader (Tracy). The pragmatic Hockstader prefers Russell, but worries about his indecision and principles; he despises Cantwell for his recklessness but appreciates his toughness and willingness to do whatever it takes.


Hockstader decides to support Cantwell until the candidate blunders badly. When the two speak privately, Cantwell attacks Russell using illegally obtained psychological reports obtained by Don Cantwell, his brother and campaign manager. Cantwell mistakenly assumed that Hockstader was going to endorse Russell. The former President tells Cantwell that he does not mind a "bastard" but objects to a stupid one. He endorses neither man. The candidates try to sway undecided delegates, Russell appealing to their principles and Cantwell using blackmail. Russell finds out to his chagrin that Hockstader has offered the vice-presidential spot on his ticket to all three of the minor candidates, Senator Oscar Anderson (Richard Arlen), Governor John Merwin (William R. Ebersol) and Governor T.T. Claypoole (John Henry Faulk). One of Russell's aides finds Sheldon Bascomb (Shelley Berman), who served in the military with Cantwell and is willing to link him to homosexual activity while stationed in Alaska during World War II. Hockstader and Russell's closest advisors press Russell to seize the opportunity but he refuses to do so.
Opposites Attract (film): Films set in the Southwestern United States: A former cowboy movie star Rex Roper (John Forsythe) decides to run for Mayor of Crescent Bay, California.
about ideologies: Charlene is also running for Mayor, pitting her solid reputation, vigilant community membership and homespun values against Rex's popularity, megabucks and media savvy.
Swing Vote (2008 film): Films set in the Southwestern United States: The popular vote is tied for the two major candidates in New Mexico, leaving Bud to decide the next president of the United States.
about ideologies: Bud's actual opinions (or lack thereof) are misinterpreted by the media, causing the candidates to flip-flop on several positions (the Democrats take a pro-life and anti-illegal immigration position, while the Republicans take a pro-environmental and pro-gay marriage position).