[Rostenkowski raw: New York Democratic convention #5]

Raw footage from the 1981 documentary "Rostenkowski," a portrait of House Ways and Means Committee Chairman Dan Rostenkowski, a powerful figure in Chicago (and national) politics. On the floor of the convention center at the 1980 Democratic National Convention. Features footage of Rostenkowski working the phones on the speakers' podium. Illinois delegates are also interviewed. They are asked what Rostenkowski's role is at the convention. Few of the delegates seem to know. One suggests that Rostenkowski's role is to find common ground among the various factions of the Democratic Party that are represented at the convention.

00:00Copy video clip URL Video begins with a shot of Rostenkowski at the podium near the phones. An unidentified speaker in the background is talking about Jimmy Carter and his running for a second term as President. This lasts for several minutes.

01:50Copy video clip URL One of the crew members begins to interview a couple of delegates in the crowd as they gather more footage of Rostenkowski. The camera operator eventually turns the camera around and captures the responses of the various delegates as they answer questions about Rostenkowski’s role at the convention. A few of the delegates seem to get a little perturbed by some of the questions being posed.

06:00Copy video clip URL The crew interviews Joseph Kotlars, an Illinois delegate from the eleventh congressional district. They ask him about Rostenkowski, specifically about his role at the convention and how well the delegation can communicate with him from the floor.

08:09Copy video clip URL Cut to a shot of a young Jesse Jackson on the floor of the convention center. The crew then shoots more of Rostenkowski at the podium and the crowd as they start up a few more “We want Jimmy” chants.

13:04Copy video clip URL An unidentified speaker is giving a speech on Carter’s vision for America. The camera crew continues to gather footage of Rostenkowski at the podium near the phones.

16:00Copy video clip URL Speaker of the House Tip O’Neill introduces Saul Jacobs to the podium to speak about Jimmy Carter’s nomination for President. The crew continues to shoot both the crowd and Rostenkowski.

17:15Copy video clip URL Tape ends.