State of the Union

Kay Thorndyke inherits her father's newspaper empire and immediately envisions using it to back Grant Matthews for president, effectively aiming to run the campaign from behind the scenes. She plans to operate the papers to influence the 1948 Republican nomination toward a Matthews dark-horse victory.

Kay, strategist Jim Conover, and campaign manager Spike McManus devise a plan to deadlock the 1948 Republican National Convention. They hope the drawn-out fight will force party leaders to pivot toward Matthews as a compromise candidate.

Grant Matthews agrees to a speaking tour to test the waters and gauge national reception. He reunites with his estranged wife Mary during the campaign, and she publicly supports him, unaware of the extent of Kay's behind-the-scenes involvement.

Thorndyke warns that scandal could ruin his chances, so they must no longer meet as lovers. This boundary pushes Matthews deeper into backroom deals and compromises, as his public image becomes more tightly controlled.

Matthews delivers a controversial Wichita speech calling big labor to account. The speech triggers floods of telegrams from ordinary citizens thanking him for his message, amplifying the campaign's momentum.

Before his Detroit appearance, Thorndyke secretly visits Matthews and persuades him to use a prepared speech to improve his odds. The change provokes another wave of telegrams from supporters who can influence primary votes.

Matthews begins surrendering to campaign backers and makes deals with various disreputable special interests to secure their support. The pattern reveals how the campaign is compromising its professed ideals.

A fireside chat is broadcast live from the Matthews home to officially launch Grant's candidacy. Mary is supposed to introduce Grant, but she discovers Thorndyke's meddling and the implied power behind the campaign.

Mary refuses to deliver the introductory speech and exits the room in tears as the broadcast approaches. Her decision reveals the depth of Thorndyke's influence and the personal cost of the political scheme.

McManus follows and tries to persuade Mary to return and help Grant, arguing that the White House is the one place Thorndyke cannot reach. Mary remains torn between loyalty and the price of the campaign's corruption.

Grant steps to the microphone and confesses to the American people, denouncing the frauds on both sides and withdrawing his candidacy. He pledges bipartisan reform and asks for Mary's forgiveness, signaling a return to his core ideals.

Mary learns the full extent of Thorndyke's influence and reconciles with Grant in a moment of mutual forgiveness. Their reconciliation underscores the personal costs of political manipulation.

Thorndyke fires Spike, but Conover immediately hires him, ensuring the power structure behind the scenes remains intact. The ending underscores the persistence of backroom influence in politics.