MovieChat Forums > The Changeling (1980) Discussion > Is the Senator a Republican or a Democra...

Is the Senator a Republican or a Democrat?

posted 10 years ago by Rex16
8 replies | jump to latest

I was intrigued by a conversation between John and Claire in relation to Senator Joseph Carmichael in one of the earlier scenes:

Claire: [as Senator Carmichael rises to make a speech] My God, he's going to make another speech! [To John] What you're hearing is a lifelong Republican commenting on a Democrat.
John: [laughing] Certainly.

What are we supposed to make of this dialogue? Is Claire referring to herself as the "Republican" who's commenting on the "Democrat" Joseph Carmichael, or is she saying that Carmichael is the Republican who will use the platform to comment on another Democrat? Either way, John seems to agree with Claire's political views, because neither of them stays to listen to Carmichael's speech.

I know that in real life, Scott was an independent Conservative and Van Devere was a radical Democrat.

What do you think the characters are supposed to be?

[–] nation22563 10 years ago

Her mother said: " Oh god, he's going to make another speech." Claire was referring to her mom with the Republican comment.

[–] Rex16 10 years ago

That's interesting, I hadn't considered the possibility that it's Claire's mother who says this. But your and OmegaWolf's interpretations point in opposite directions as far as the political affiliation of the characters is concerned. By your interpretation, Claire's mother is a Republican, Senator Carmichael is a Democrat, and presumably Claire and John are Republicans, too, since both find a quick excuse to not have to stay and listen to the speech.

According to OmegaWolf's interpretation, namely that Claire was joking that the Senator would use the opportunity to criticise other Democrats, Senator Carmichael is a Republican whereas Claire and John are Democrats. Claire's mother might be either.

I am interested in leftist/rightist orientations because it adds an interesting dimension to characters. I would have thought that Senator Carmichael, who is implied to be the scion of an industrialist family, is more likely to be a Republican? But I am not well-versed enough in American politics to find out any "clues" about the likely political affiliations of the characters. I'd be interested to know your views on this.

[–] Etherdave 10 years ago

It sounds like Claire's mom makes the first comment, and Claire is then commenting on her mother. Claire's later comments about Carmichael suggests she likes him, and shares his politics. That would make Claire's mom the Republican, and Carmichael the Democrat. It is a symphony he's shilling for, not a new death-ray for the army. Which is interesting, because if he's more interested in symphonies than death-rays, maybe he's not such a bad guy. If, however, Joseph is more interested in death-rays than symphonies, he might have a problem with how Carmichael is spending his moola.

It appears Carmichael is a state senator, since he seems to stick to Washington state. This would make him one of 49 members of the state's upper house, which seems to have been more consistently Democrat than Republican since Grover Cleveland granted them full statehood in 1889. Presently two Democrats have formed a coalition majority with the Republican members to wrest control of the senate from the Democrats. I could not say how often this kind of stunt has been pulled in the Washington state senate, as even their official website is sketchy on such things.

I don't know how much this affects the storyline of 'The Changeling'. The original story on which this film is based took place in Colorado, not Washington state. Colorado lost most of its Democrats a long time ago, when they were allegedly eaten by Alferd Packer.

[–] OmegaWolf747 10 years ago

I always interpreted it as Claire talking about Senator Carmichael. In this case, she was joking that he was probably going to start bagging on democrats.

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House. My room. Can't walk. My medal. My father. Father, don't!

[–] 10 years ago

[deleted]

[–] nation22563 10 years ago

Exactly. I have no problem discerning between the two women's voices. Especially since I grew up watching Mrs. Norman as the Reverend Mother on the Flying Nun. She has a unique and beautiful voice.

[–] chilone 9 years ago

He had to be a democrat. He believed he was entitled to something that wasn't his and that he didn't work for.

I don't love her.. She kicked me in the face!!

[–] Survivor147 8 years ago

My thoughts exactly!!! Taking something that wasn't originally yours!