In a rare intersection of journalism, politics and Hollywood, NBC’s “Meet the Press” host Chuck Todd sat down with “House of Cards” creator Beau Willimon and documentarian and creator of “The Roosevelts” Ken Burns on Sunday’s edition of “Press Pass” to discuss how television and film portray politics.
Willimon explained that politics “isn’t as simple as angel and devil” but that politicians and people in general are fraught with contradictions.
“If you look at the Roosevelts or look at the Underwoods, what you find is a lot of gray, a lot of contradiction and people who are doing their best to do what they think is right,” alleged the “House of Cards” creator.
Burns agreed, adding that the American media gives the false sense that perfection is attainable.
“We tend to in our media culture have a superficial idea of what we want,” detailed Burns. “You never get that. Perfection is impossible and I think what’s so interesting about the true story of the Roosevelts is that they’re all deeply flawed, deeply wounded people.”
Chuck Todd turned the conversation to real-life politics by asking if either Willimon or Burns have ever encountered a “successful politician that didn’t have some moral ambiguity.”
“I haven’t come across a successful human that didn’t have some moral ambiguity,” replied Willimon, adding later that humans are constantly “breaking our own rules.”
Todd then asserted that “the more pure a politician is, the less successful they are,” on which Burns pushed back.
“You may just be saying that they’re boring and that’s the cardinal sin of politics,” explained the “Roosevelts” creator.
He went on to explain that politics, like life, is so “nuanced” and “complicated” that it is impossible to not get “caught up in all of that deep, dark churn.”
The three also discussed political dynasties in America, which are a relevant topic of conversation considering both the Clintons and the Bushes have potential 2016 presidential candidates in their bloodlines.
Burns explained that familiar names bring a kind of “confidence” and thus certainly help individuals get elected, but that Americans aren’t necessarily interested in dynasties as much as they are a good lawmaker.
“[Americans] are not saying, ‘I want a dynasty,'” Burns said. “They’re just saying, ‘I liked that other guy. Maybe he’ll be like that other guy.”
“As much as we talk about, ‘We love change,’ what we really want is for the apple cart not to be too upset,” he added.
Burns also suggested that a “dynasty” name won’t continue to help the elected official once he or she attains office. Then, the lawmaker will be judged on decisions and actions.
Watch the full interview below.
