The Best Man

In May 1964, former Secretary of State William Russell and Senator Joe Cantwell rise to the top of their party's presidential race. Both carry serious vulnerabilities: Russell's personal indiscretions and past nervous breakdown, Cantwell's ruthless, populist opportunism. The stage is set for a brutal contest at the convention.

At the nominating convention in Los Angeles, the campaigns jockey to win over undecided delegates while the aging former President Art Hockstader watches warily. He grapples with which candidate to back, warning of the risks in both approaches. In the end, he refuses to endorse either man, complicating both campaigns.

Cantwell attacks Russell using illegally obtained psychological reports, hoping to smear his opponent's character. He assumes Hockstader will endorse him, but the former president declares his neutrality and refuses to be a tool for either side. The exchange hardens the contest into a test of nerve and principle.

Undecided delegates become the campaign's focal point as balloting begins. Russell appeals to delegates' principles and integrity, while Cantwell relies on blackmail and fear to gain influence. The fighting continues with no clear winner in sight.

Art Hockstader informs the campaign teams that he would consider multiple paths, including offering the vice-presidential spots to the three minor candidates: Oscar Anderson, John Merwin, and T. T. Claypoole. Russell's aides learn of the backroom maneuvering, highlighting the extent of backstage deals at the convention. The offers illustrate how the race blends ideology with pragmatic power plays.

One of Russell's aides discovers Sheldon Bascomb, who could link Cantwell to homosexual activity during his World War II service in Alaska. The allegation creates a looming threat that could derail Cantwell’s momentum. Cantwell's team counters, while Russell weighs how and when to use the information.

After the first ballot, neither candidate has enough votes to win, though Cantwell holds a slim lead. The deadlock exposes the campaign's divide between a hard-edged strategy and a principled stance. The convention descends into a tense stalemate as rounds continue.

Russell arranges a private meeting with Cantwell to address the charges, while Bascomb confronts Cantwell face-to-face about the allegations. Cantwell counters that Russell will not pull the trigger and taunts him for avoiding a fight. Russell warns Cantwell that he could release the charge if Cantwell blunders, signaling a brutal back-and-forth.

As more ballots are cast, Cantwell maintains a slender lead and the momentum seems to favor him. Russell's anti-corruption appeal still resonates with some delegates, but Cantwell's relentless tactics keep him ahead. The race tightens into a tense standoff on the floor.

Cantwell privately offers Russell the second spot on his ticket, but Russell shocks him by releasing his delegates and urging support for Merwin instead. The move repudiates Cantwell's backroom bargain and triggers a dramatic realignment. Merwin rises as a leading contender as delegates swing behind him.

With Russell's delegates backing Merwin, the former governor secures the party's nomination. Cantwell watches in frustration as his strategy to derail the process falters. Hockstader maintains neutrality, neither endorsing the nominee nor throwing his support behind Cantwell.

The party acknowledges the three minor candidates—Anderson, Merwin, and Claypoole—and cites the VP slot offers that shaped the race. The film closes by underscoring the cost of ambition and the fragility of principle in modern political campaigning. The outcome of the race remains uncertain, shaped by loyalties and backroom compromises.