The Political Machine At Work

If you are a political junkie, look no further. This terrific documentary is the one for you. Your jaw will drop as you watch the political machine of Newark, New Jersey at work.

Like a lot of American elections, this one was not fought on the issues. The movie focuses on the campaiign of Obama-like Democratic challenger Cory Booker as he tries to unseat entrenched Democratic incumbent Sharpe James. I have no idea how the two men differ politically, but that is almost unimportant to the story director Mark Curry is telling.

It's about the difficulty of running a political campaign when your opponent is corrupt, skilled in dirty tricks and has the local police department at his beck and call. It's about the battlefield math candidates have to contemplate before crafting speeches or advertising ('Should I go negative?' 'If you go negative it will hurt him, but it will also hurt you.' 'Do it.') Watch it, it will blow your mind.