Stephen Meyers is a talented political staffer and the junior campaign manager for
Pennsylvania Governor Mike Morris. Just days before the pivotal primary elections in
Ohio and
North Carolina, Stephen and senior campaign manager Paul Zara work to secure Morris the
Democratic nomination for president and defeat rival Ted Pullman.
The New York Times reporter Ida Horowicz seeks an inside scoop on the Ohio primary. Paul is confident in Morris's odds from his career experience while Stephen believes deeply in Morris's political cause. Ida warns Stephen that Morris will disappoint him. Before leaving, Paul tells Ida off the record that they're pursuing the
endorsement of North Carolina Senator Franklin Thompson, a
DINO whose control over 356
pledged delegates would secure Morris the nomination. Stephen takes a meeting with Tom Duffy, Pullman's senior campaign manager, who offers Stephen a job and calls him “the best media mind in the country.” Duffy claims the race is about to turn in Pullman's favor and reveals that they won Thompson's endorsement by promising him the post of
secretary of state. Stephen criticizes this kind of "dirty politics", but Duffy argues that it is necessary to win. Stephen admits that he met with Duffy, angering Paul, and shares Pullman's deal with Thompson. Morris refuses to make a backroom deal, valuing a “clean” campaign. Stephen begins a casual sexual relationship with Molly Stearns, a young intern and daughter of
DNC Chairman Jack Stearns. One night while Molly is sleeping, Stephen answers her phone to discover Governor Morris on the line. Molly confesses to a one-night stand with Morris that has left her pregnant. She asks Stephen for money to get an
abortion, too afraid to ask her
Catholic family. Stephen's faith in Morris begins to fade as he scrambles to avoid the scandal. He allocates funds for Molly's abortion and fires her from the campaign, claiming that mistakes mean you “lose the right to play.” Meanwhile, Ida confronts Stephen about his meeting with Duffy. Paul reveals that he leaked the story to Ida and fires Stephen for disloyalty. Enraged, Stephen goes to Duffy to join Pullman's campaign, promising dirt on Morris. However, Duffy declines, nervous about Stephen's desire for revenge. He again praises Stephen's talent but admits that he sabotaged Stephen just to gain a political edge in the campaign. Duffy finally encourages Stephen to leave politics before he grows cynical and jaded. After her abortion, Molly learns secondhand that Stephen was fired and swore to destroy the campaign. Fearing exposure of her affair and abortion, she fatally overdoses on post-abortion pills. Stephen discovers the scene and blackmails Governor Morris with a fictional
suicide note from Molly. To avoid the scandal, Morris fires Paul and promotes Stephen to senior campaign manager. He invites Thompson to become his vice president, securing Thompson's delegates and becoming the de facto Democratic nominee for president. On the way to a press interview, Stephen stonewalls Ida. Following a speech from Morris on dignity and integrity, Stephen prepares to explain how they secured Thompson's endorsement. ==Cast==