An Empire of Reason

Docudrama about the debate surrounding New York State's ratification of the United States Constitution. Historical figures wear modern dress and use familiar language to help today's audience understand firsthand the forces that shaped this country two hundred years ago. The argument, characters, passions and debating points are historically accurate, but the language and the medium of the debate is modern in form. Present day newscasters and commentators play themselves, reporting on the events of the 1780s as though they were occurring now.

1988 Second Presidential Debate

The second and final presidential debate between Vice President George H. W. Bush and Governor Michael Dukakis took place on Thursday, October 13, 1988, at the Pauley Pavilion at University of California in Los Angeles, California. The debate was moderated by Bernard Shaw of CNN with Andrea Mitchell of NBC, Ann Compton of ABC, and Margaret Warner of Newsweek as panelists. Bush improved in the second debate; Dukakis had been suffering from the flu and spent much of the day in bed. His performance was generally seen as poor.