According to Independent Lens and filmmaker Frank Popper, who spent time in Missouri during the congressional elections of 2004 when a young Washington University political-science instructor named Jeff Smith tried to upset an entrenched political machine and a family dynasty in the Democratic Party primary campaign for a vacant House seat, the answer is a resonant “maybe”—although power, money, name recognition, and the apathy of a numbed or indifferent electorate are hard to beat with just 500 volunteers, most of them students. I won’t spoil the suspense for those of you who weren’t paying attention at the time.

Can Mr. Smith Get to Washington Anymore?
Channel 13, Tuesday, February 27, 10.30 p.m.

Related:

• Archive: “Television”
• Articles by John Leonard
• Table of Contents: March 5, 2007 issue of New York | Subscribe!