God's Not Dead: In God We Trust (2024)

[bunniefuu]

(grand orchestral fanfare playing)

A shocking turn of events

six weeks prior to Election Day,

Congressional incumbent

Rick West has died

of an apparent heart attack.

His opponent,

State Senator Peter Kane,

now runs unopposed,

canceling tonight's

highly anticipated debate.

He gave this statement

earlier today.

(reporters clamoring)

Senator Kane.

Sir, with West's sudden passing,

you've gone overnight

from dark horse to sure thing.

What is your response?

Well, first and foremost,

I want to express my condolences

to the West family.

Although the congressman and I

agreed on very little,

I still considered him

a worthy opponent.

What about criticisms

of your plans to pass laws

to restrict religious freedoms

and support bigger government?

That's enough questions for now.

Thank you guys. Appreciate it.

-We need answers.

-He's got to go.

-(reporters clamoring)

-Senator, we need answers.

-Sir, sir! Senator Kane!

-Come back, Senator!

WESLEY: Thank you guys.

Appreciate it. Thank you.

(Kane sighs)

KANE: So this would've been

our battleground, huh?

Oh, I wish I could've

debated West.

I could've struck the

death blow myself. (chuckles)

Senator.

KANE: Dan Thompson,

big fan of the show.

(chuckles)

Gentlemen,

the passing of Rick West

may allow us to catch up

with the rest

-of the modern world.

-(others murmuring)

I have always said

that religious superstition

has no place in influencing

our laws and government.

So, here's to

enlightenment, reason

and reshaping our nation's core.

OTHERS:

Cheers.



DAVID: You see those statues

and those monuments out there?

They're trying

to tell us something.

They're saying,

"Don't forget about us.

"Don't forget about the...

the battles that we fought

"and the price

that we paid for freedom.

Don't let our sacrifice

be in vain."

In the long history

of the world,

only a few generations

have been granted the role

of defending freedom

in its hour of maximum danger.

Ask not

what America will do for you

but what together we can do

for the freedom of man.

DAVID: That's part

of your plan, isn't it?

Keep us all divided

so bit by bit, we don't realize

you're chipping away

at our freedoms and liberties.

Because it's all

about power for you.

And the only way that

you can get more power

is by taking it

from someone else.

And that would be

all well and good

if it wasn't for

that pesky thing

called the Constitution

that keeps getting in your way.

-(applause)

-RONALD REAGAN: Without God,

we are mired in the material,

that flat world that tells us

only what the senses perceive.

Without God,

there is a coarsening

-of the society.

-(crowd clamoring)

And without God,

democracy will not

and cannot long endure.

(applause)

If we ever forget that

we're one nation under God,

then we will be

a nation gone under.

DAVID:

They know what's at stake here.

And maybe in order to understand

how precious and fragile

freedom really is,

maybe...

maybe you have to lose it.



(siren blaring)

(busy chatter)

KANE (over TV):

...and so has America.

Okay, if you can give me

those numbers,

I'd appreciate it.

KANE (over TV): We must not let

religious superstitions

determine our laws of culture,

science and reason.

(busy chatter continues)

-Yes, sir. -We should be fine

with all of that.

I'm hoping that

the electoral ballots

that we have on

the other side will be great.

This is a disaster.

Why didn't we have

a contingency plan?

DAVID (over monitor): They're

trying to tell us something.

They're saying,

"Don't forget about us.

"Don't forget about the...

the battles that we fought

and the price

that we paid for freedom."

Wasn't there an attorney in line

-to replace West?

-Collins?

-Collins.

-Dropped out three days ago.

(sighs)

MURRAY:

No one thought West could lose.

Any help here, boss?

DAVID (over monitor):

...bit by bit, you're

chipping away

at our freedoms and liberty.

Meanwhile,

you're crafting legislation

that will allow the government

to barge into our homes.

STAFF MEMBER: We're fried.

Got no time to recruit.

No time to vet.

If the House flips,

hello, socialism.

DAVID (over monitor): ...by

taking it from someone else.

And that would be

all well and good

if it wasn't for

that pesky thing

called the Constitution

that keeps getting in your way.

CHAIRMAN (over monitor):

Now, you hold on a second.

No, I'm done talking to you.

I'm talking to the people

who elected you.

MURRAY:

I remember him.

The preacher.

He helped out

on those education hearings.

Helped out?

I'd say he knocked them

out the park.

You see those statues

and those monuments out there?

They say you work for us.

-(applause over monitor)

-This guy is gold.

-Mm-hmm.

-The reverend vibe really works.

"...by the people,

for the people."

STAFF MEMBER 2:

Who's gonna run his campaign?

Leave that to me.

DAVID (over monitor):

America belongs to its citizens.

SMITH: Look, we're six weeks out

from Election Day.

And remember, this is a fight

for the soul of our nation.

DAVID (over monitor):

...and the teachers in Oklahoma,

to every man, woman and child.

It belongs to the people.

We the people.

It belongs to the people,

Mr. Chairman.

We the people.



I am so sorry.

MONICA:

We have no place to go.

(sniffles)

How could this happen?

The women's center was

supposed to receive funding

for the repairs

from the government, and...

...it just didn't happen.

-(baby fussing)

-(sighs)

(sniffles)

We can't go

to the city shelters.

They're not safe.

There's a sign

at the women's center that says,

"Provided by God,

through His people."

Who dropped the ball, Pastor?

I mean, I know it wasn't God.

Please believe me, Monica.

I did my best.

I just wish my best was better.

I'm sorry.

Monica, wait.

Give me some time, and I'll...



(sighs)

(bell tolling)



(sighs)

How's it going, Pastor?

Uh...

How many more families are left

for me to break the news to?

Thirty-two.

I can talk to some of them on

your behalf if that will help.

Thanks, Martin,

but it should be me.

None of this needed to happen.

The government pulled

the grant money because--

are you ready for this?--

some women at the center

had a Bible study.

They canceled the grant

because of that?

They claim the center

used grant money

for religious instruction,

and that's not allowed.

So the women and their families

are penalized.

(sighs)

It's like God keeps putting

these impossible mountains

in front of me.

And the government doesn't

make it any easier on us.

That probably makes me

sound paranoid, but...

About 50 years ago,

the Chinese government,

under the guise of progress,

blamed all the country's

problems on religion and faith.

They called it

the Cultural Revolution,

but that is just

to cover up the truth.

What was the truth?

Churches were destroyed.

Christians were persecuted

and put into camps.

Countless were k*lled.

A similar revolution

seems to be brewing

here in America, David.

It may look different,

but the essence is the same.

So, no, I don't think

you're being paranoid.

And perhaps God put those

mountains in front of you

to show that they can be moved.

(sighs)

SMITH: So, you're not gonna

ask me anything about my guy?

(scoffs) A pastor?

Smith, really?

You think that's what this race

needs right now-- a sermon?

(chuckles) Well, what this race

needs is integrity.

-Mm.

-Someone unspoiled.

Hill represents

what we've lost in politics.

And yes, he is a man of faith

and he is a man of the people.

You think he can go

toe to toe with Kane?

-Oh.

-The man's a shark.

That's where you come in.

(sighs) So, what's the ask?

You know what's at stake.

The margins in the House

are razor-thin.

LOTTIE:

Mm.

Why me?

Because there's no one better.

No one had ever heard of me

until you came along.

I mean, you put me

on the map, Lottie,

and I'm just hoping

you could do the same for David.

(sighs)

I left this game

for a reason, Daryl.

-Left?

-Yeah.

Or ran away?

I have a son now.

Things are different.

Yeah, very different.

Actually, a lot worse.

You said you left this behind.

I know you see

the writing on the wall.

They will have complete control.

And hiding in the mountains

is not gonna protect you

from what's coming.

You or your son.

I'll have to think about it.

You don't even have time

to pack, Lottie.

That is what I've been trying

to tell you.

We might already be too late.

We need you there tomorrow.

Is there anything else

I need to know, Congressman?



They sent John Wesley

to run Kane's campaign.

-I know what John did to you.

-(gasps)

(shuddering exhale)

I'm not asking you

to fight your past.

I am asking that you help

shape our country's future.

(insects trilling)

LOTTIE:

"And then the king was very sad

"because when he

touched his daughter,

she turned to gold."

CHRISTOPHER: Couldn't he just

sell her for a bajillion dollars

-and buy another daughter?

-(laughs)

It doesn't work

that way, goose. Silly.

You want to sell me

for a bajillion dollars?

A bajillion dollars.

Mm, not even a bajillion

quadrillion dollars.

Are you sure you're gonna

be okay with me leaving

for a little while?

I promise you and Aunt Ruby

will have lots of fun.

Will I get to go

to Disney World?

Oh, bargaining. I like that.

I'm sure that can be arranged.

Yes, of course. Mm-hmm.



MAN (laughs):

Hey, great job.

WOMAN:

Aw, good to see you guys.

Roll up your sleeves

Pull back your hair

Let's talk about

Why it's not fair

Oh, I've been waiting

-Waiting for a while

-(laughter)

I'm gonna give you

A piece of my mind...

-DAVID: Okay. Focusing.

-You got it.

-Oh.

-(sighs)

(David groans)

-ATTENDANT: Whoa.

-DAVID: Oh, boy.

All right, here we go.

ATTENDANT:

Ah, Rev.

Rev, what's the matter?

-Ah... I know, I know.

-You're off your game.

I'm just... I just wish

there was a better turnout

for the women's shelter is all.

Oh, well, come on.

Give it another try.

-Ah.

-You can't win unless you play.

-Sure. Why not?

-(chuckles)

LOTTIE: Oh, you know

it's rigged, don't you?

Oh, yeah? Why do you say that?

Well, I mean,

the rings are too small, and...

can't win unless you find

the right angle.

Hmm.

Lottie Jay.

-Political consultant.

-Mm.

David Hill.

Fresh out of business cards.

(laughs)

I know who you are, Reverend.

LOTTIE: I believe

in cutting to the chase.

I've been hired to manage

your campaign for Congress.

I'm sorry, did you say

my campaign for Congress?

Our friend Daryl Smith

thinks you're our best bet

at beating Kane.

Peter Kane, the state senator?

Yep.

Kane hides behind the separation

of church and state

to chase God from politics,

from the classroom,

public square,

from policymaking.

If he wins, any institution

with a religious affiliation

would be exempt

from public funding.

And I do mean

any daycare center,

nursing home...

...women's shelter.

Yeah, but why?

I mean, those institutions

serve the public

regardless of their religion.

I hear you, which is why...

-Barbecue platter for you.

-Oh. Thank you.

And for you, the usual.

-Possum pie.

-(chuckles): Thanks, Tanya.

Which is why the party

wants you to run against him.

-What?

-There's possum in that pie?

Uh, no, it's just chocolate

pudding hiding under...

Wait. I-I'm not a politician.

You think the country really

needs another politician?

Maybe it's time

you try something new.



(playful chatter)

(laughter)

(sighs)

Well, this isn't nearly enough,

but, you know, we did our best.

Thanks so much, Kev.

-Sure thing, Rev.

-Thank you.

You know, as a congressman,

you'll be able to add zeros

to your charity drives.

I don't know anything

about politics.

It's public service,

same as you're doing now,

except there's nothing

you can do as a pastor

that can't be undone

by a politician.

If you want to make

a real difference,

this is how it's done.

I'm a small-town pastor

with no national stage,

and I'm comfortable

with what we've built here.

And I'm sorry you came

all this way, but I...

I'm afraid I can't help you.

Hmm.

Well, if you change your mind,

I'll be flying back

first thing tomorrow.

Give it some thought, Reverend.

You can call me David.

We'll see.

(sighs)

REPORTER: The search for

West's replacement has begun,

but at such a late date,

it's uncertain

who'd be qualified and willing

to risk their reputation

for such a critical seat

in the House. We'll continue...

We may just get

another shot at this thing.

What do they say?

When one door closes,

another one opens.

(chuckles)

REPORTER: A spokesperson for the

West family has asked the public

to respect the family's privacy

during these most trying times.

So I'm either

checking out tomorrow

or, um, staying

for a couple weeks,

but I'll let you know

when I know.

All right, that's fine.

-Thank you.

-Carlotta Jay.

What a coincidence.

John. Hello.

What the heck are you doing

in this Podunk town?

They drag you out of hiding

for this circus?

I'm-I'm not in hiding, John. No.

You gain weight?

-Did I what?

-Put on a couple of pounds?

No, I... I...

I don't know, maybe.

It comes with age.

It is tougher on women.

(scoffs) Wow.

Unless it's the-the meds.

-Are you still taking...

-No, I'm not.

There's nothing wrong with that.

No, I don't need them, so...

Take your wins

where you can get them.

-That's what I believe.

-(sighs)

Okay.

Well, it's good seeing you.

Thank... Where are you going?

Why are you running off?

Come on, sit for a few minutes.

A few minutes. It's me.

-(sighs)

-Thank you.

So... (sighs) who's your horse?

I don't have a horse.

I'm, uh, just vetting,

helping out.

-Me, too.

-Mm-hmm.

-My guy's a slam dunk.

-(laughs)

In fact, when it's over,

I am heading

to the South of France.

Would you like to join moi?

-Huh?

-Yeah.

-Wow. I am...

-S'il vous plat.

Think I'll pass.

Oh, it's okay.

-The weight looks good on you.

-(scoffs)

Charming, John.

DAVID:

So this thing is real?

SMITH:

Very.

And why not?

DAVID (over phone):

Yeah, but why me?

I mean, what about

the more qualified people

already standing in the

"I can't wait to be

a congressperson" line?

Because at this late date,

the chances of winning are slim.

No one is gonna risk

their reputation

or their checkbook

on a long shot.

So hit up a small-town pastor

with nothing to lose?

Yeah. Maybe.

Hey, look.

You know, people are afraid

to speak the truth these days.

Either...

Because the truth either loses

or gets them canceled.

I mean, you're a pastor.

You're in the business of truth.

And I'm willing to bet

that you won't run from it.

We need people like you

in Congress to pass laws

and make a change.

What better way to make a change

than from the inside?

DAVID:

I don't know, Daryl.

This isn't for me.

What if it's not about you?

Look, all I ask is that

you pray on it. Okay?



MONICA: There's a sign

at the women's center

that says, "Provided by God,

through His people."

(David sighs)

Who dropped the ball,

Pastor? I...

I mean, I know it wasn't God.

(David sighs)

(sighs)

Can't win unless you play.

LOTTIE: If you want to make

a real difference,

this is how it's done.

SMITH: People are afraid

to speak the truth these days

because the truth either loses

or they get canceled.

LOTTIE: You think the country

really needs another politician?

MARTIN: Perhaps God put those

mountains in front of you

to show that they can be moved.

LOTTIE: Maybe it's time

you try something new.

(alarm ringing)

(jet engine whooshing)



(indistinct P.A. announcements)

Miss Jay. Miss Jay. Miss Jay.

Reverend Hill.

What are you doing here?

Do you really think

that I can run?

(scoffs) Anyone can run.

I think that you could win.

Okay.

Okay?

We do this my way.

You listen, you follow

directions, understood?

Okay.

What made you change your mind?

Can't win the game

unless you play, right?

All right, let's go

save the country.

Great.

I'll take this to the board.

We'll cover the fees.

Clear your calendar.

Uh, for how long?

With any luck, next two years.

-Uh, excuse me, sir.

-DAVID: Yeah.

Uh, Tom's Trusted Transport.

Please keep me in mind

for all your transport needs.

Don't I know you?

Well, it's quite possible.

I'm actually a fairly successful

stage actor.

Yeah.

No, you're a waiter.

Well, that, too.

LOTTIE: Better get some rest,

Reverend Hill.

Uh, everybody just

calls me David.

We'll see.

-(lively chatter)

-(cell phone dinging)

(muttering)

He's in. He's in.

Let's get to work, people.

Let's pick it up.

Let's pick it up.

-Let's get to work, people.

-(applause, cheering)

Let's pick it up. Let's go!

(bell tolling)



They found someone

to run against you.

His name is David Hill.

He's a pastor. Ring a bell?

KANE (over phone):

I remember him.

The Bible thumper.

WESLEY: He was a juror on that

teacher case you prosecuted.

(laughing):

Are we worried about a preacher?

He's not the one

I'm worried about.

We end this before it starts.

Clear your morning.

Get ready to do the whole

"separation of church and state"

dance.

Both barrels.

I'll handle the rest.

(sniffs)

MARC:

(laughs) Are you sure?

Yeah, I know.

Yeah, he doesn't stand

a chance against Kane

without our money.

Hmm? Who's running his campaign?

Okay, leave the rest to me.

BAND MEMBER:

One, two, three, four!

-(upbeat rock music playing)

-(crowd cheering)

I can feel it in the air

Desperation everywhere

Spirit, come

and meet us here

Turn the dark into light

So come on, come on, come on

We're ready for a...

LOTTIE:

Sit up straight. Face Huckabee.

These guys are great.

Face Huckabee,

your hands on your knees.

Do all the guests

get questions in advance?

Today's about first impressions.

We leave nothing to chance

and you stick to the script.

Don't color outside the lines,

and remember,

I am the captain of this boat.

-I say...

-Stay in the boat.

Stay in the boat. That's right.

It's okay. He's got this.

Well, Huckabee is an ally,

but we're not really sure

how it's gonna go,

so we have to make sure that...

Lord, thank You so much

for this day.

Give me the words

You want me to say.

We love You, Father.

In Jesus' name.

Amen.

-Reverend Dave.

-Huh? Hey, what's up?

I didn't know

you were on the show.

-You guys.

-Good to see you, man.

-DAVID: You guys were awesome.

-(Michael laughs)

-MICHAEL: Yeah.

-DAVID: Good to see you.

-Thank you so much.

-Good to see you.

Are you here to talk

about your ministry?

Uh, well, no, actually,

we're here to, um...

Actually, Reverend is running

for Congress in his district.

-Fantastic.

-Whoa.

-That's great news.

-Excellent.

So you're here to talk

about your new ministry.

-(chuckling)

-Yes.

My next guest is

a small-town pastor

from my home state

of Arkansas.

He recently spoke

before Congress,

and the video of that

went viral.

Give me these. You got this.

HUCKABEE: He's now

a candidate for Congress.

Please join me

in giving a great welcome

to Reverend David Hill.

(applause)

Welcome, David.

-It's great to have you here.

-(cell phone vibrating)

DAVID: Thank you so much.

I appreciate it.

Governor, so nice to meet you.

HUCKABEE:

Great to meet you.

What a great crowd

we've got here tonight.

So grateful to meet in person,

and happy to have you

joining us by television.

Well, David, you know,

if your experience

is anything like mine, uh,

you're gonna get a lot

of questions about your faith.

Ah. (sighs)

Well, I'm not quite sure why.

My job as a congressman

is to represent the people,

-not to impose my faith on them.

-LOTTIE: Good.

Stick to the script.

Having said that,

I'm not quite sure

how someone's sense of morality

doesn't act as a guidepost

in public service.

HUCKABEE:

I-I would hope so.

You know, most people

don't understand

there are more ordained

ministers in Congress right now

than ever before

in all of American history.

And that includes

both sides of the aisle.

Uh, why do you think

that is, David?

Well, with everything

that's gone on-- the pandemic,

the recession,

political divide--

maybe people are looking

for more spiritual

and moral leadership

in Washington.

We hear this phrase, and it'll

be thrown at you a lot.

What about separation

of church and state?

DAVID: These days,

separation of church and state

has been reduced

to a catchphrase.

As much as no one wants

to admit it, the line

between church and state

can be pretty blurry sometimes.

HUCKABEE: Well, it can,

but if you talk like that,

you're probably gonna get

into some trouble.

(chuckles)

Uh, believe me, I-I know.

I guess what I'm trying to say

is we're all made

of both a mortal body

and an immortal soul.

And as long as

we're still breathing,

-where do we draw that line?

-HUCKABEE: Hmm.

We're gonna take a break.

When we come back,

we've got a lot more

to talk about

with Reverend Hill.

Please don't go away.

(indistinct clamoring)

(shouting)

Only recently,

we've seen what happens

when our laws are influenced

by the xenophobic,

the misogynistic

and intolerant extremists.

People are looking

for more spiritual leadership

-in Washington.

-KANE: And now...

they want to impose their views

on us all.

The line between

church and state

can be pretty blurry sometimes.

Amen.

Spiritual leadership

in Washington?

Christian morality?

This interview was supposed

to pull you out of the fire.

You threw yourself back in.

What part of "stay in the boat"

do you not understand?

He took what I said

out of context.

Oh, really? A politician

doing something like that?

You're trying to become

a congressman, not the Pope.

There's more.

He wants to do

a live podcast with you.

Well, that's good.

It'll give me an opportunity

to explain myself.

-(Lottie scoffs)

-Believe me,

they're not interested

in giving you anything

except enough rope

for you to hang yourself.

LOTTIE: Wesley's got

something up his sleeve.

Then negotiate with him.

Get something in return.

(insects trilling)

So, they'll do the podcast

if we agree

to a debate down the road.

That's just an insurance policy

against you knocking him out

in round one.

Well, that's smart.

Let 'em have it.

Uh, you know, Pete,

I wouldn't be in a hurry

to make concessions

this early in the game.

I've already won, John.

From this point on, everything

we do is just for the cameras.

(chuckles)

-(phone line ringing)

-CREWMAN: Little bit there.

All right, we're all set.

Larry, thank you

for putting this together

-at the last minute.

-Hey, not a problem at all.

-Thank you for picking my show.

-(cell phone vibrating)

You good?

Can I get you anything else?

-KANE: No, I'm fine. Thank you.

-LARRY: Okay.

All right. I think we're ready.

(line ringing)

WESLEY (recorded):

You've reached John Wesley.

-You know what to do.

-(sighs)

Hope I'm doing this right.

I've only ever done

my own makeup.

Uh, I'm sure it's fine.

All right, this is not

what we agreed to.

He's supposed to be

in the studio with Kane.

What do you say we keep

our religious beliefs

to ourselves today,

okay, Reverend?

What do you say?

CREWMAN:

Okay, here we go. Live in ten.

AMANDA:

Sorry.

It's gonna be fine.

-(chuckles)

-CREWMAN: Okay, going live.

KANE (over speaker): ...where

I served as district attorney

and then in the Arkansas

House of Representatives.

And after that, I was

elected to the state senate,

where I served as

senate minority leader.

Very impressive rsum, Senator.

-(chuckles) Thank you.

-No. Thank you.

And you, Mr. Hill, says here

that you're a preacher.

Yes.

Uh, I'm a reverend at St. Jude.

Right. Sure. And now

you're running for Congress.

That's correct.

Well, I go to church,

and I've got a pastor,

but, uh, I don't think

-I'd vote for him, you know?

-(Kane chuckling)

Is your pastor

running for office?

(laughs) No, but...

DAVID: Then it probably won't be

an issue for either of you.

-Nice.

-KANE: No, I think that Larry

is just pointing out

the obvious here,

that clergy in politics

is a controversial topic,

even amongst Christians.

Founding fathers were clear

about their intentions

concerning the separation

of church and state.

It wasn't so much about

keeping religion

out of the government.

It was more about keeping

the government out of religion.

This sounds more like, uh,

your interpretation.

I-I will add, um,

Christians who are

politically active must be led

by biblical principles

and values

and not by party affiliation.

Oh, so now you're saying that

these biblical principles

of yours would influence

-your decision making?

-No.

Of course.

KANE: And so,

by your own admission, then,

you would craft laws and

policies based on superstition,

irrationality,

fear and ignorance.

Suffice to say,

I-I don't see it that way.

Suffice it to say that

the good people of Arkansas

will once again be held c*ptive

by one of your interpretations.

This country should be run

by scholars and academics,

not by people who are afraid

of a bogeyman.

This man, he could not represent

the electorate

in a levelheaded, rational,

impartial manner.

And on a personal note,

I find your moral superiority

and smugness offensive.

Who died and left you

arbiter of right and wrong?

Fine. That's a wrap.

(chuckling):

Very well said, Senator.

-Yeah. Yeah.

-(light applause)

Thank you so much.

That was amazing.

Well, most Christians

are believers

because they know

they're broken,

and the only hope they have

is Jesus Christ.

LOTTIE:

Please stop talking.

The messenger may stumble,

Mr. Kane,

but it doesn't negate

the message.

They've turned off your mic.

We've been set up. It's over.



-(sighs heavily)

-(cell phone whooshing)

Oh, no.

-No, no, no, no. No.

-(door closes)

He's winning.

They're putting way more

into this than I expected.

DAVID: So what's the big deal?

We'll bounce back.

The campaign

that spends the most wins.

And we wonder why our country

has so many problems.

All of this money for what?

To make the country like me?

No, it's to make them

dislike Kane.

That's how we close the gap.

So the goal of the campaign

is to make voters

dislike Peter Kane

more than they dislike me.

This is the reality.

If I can't get them

to vote for you,

I keep them

from voting for Kane.

I didn't get into politics

to behave like a politician.

You want me

to let you dig up dirt.

Oh, no. I want you

to let me do my job.

I know people

who can find dirt on Kane,

and you can't be afraid

to risk rolling in the mud.

That's the easy part, Miss Jay.

The hard part's

getting clean again.

Well, as sad as it

might sound to you,

it's the only way

we're gonna beat John Wesley.

SAM:

Um, John Wesley?

She meant to say Kane, right?

What is it with her

and John Wesley?

Several years ago, I had--

and this is before

you joined the firm--

I had sent Lottie

to run a congressional

against John Wesley.

She was a rising star,

and Wesley was already an icon,

and things happened.

Uh, she thought of him

as a mentor, a...

a trusted friend, and he just

thought of her as a...

Distraction.

And as it turns out,

a convenient way for Wesley

to gather intel

on his opposition.

Well, of course,

Lottie's candidate lost,

and everyone in town

blamed her for it.

Wesley rode off

into the sunset a winner,

and the disgraced Lottie Jay

disappeared,

ending a very promising career.

(sighs) Come on.

(grunts)

(breathing heavily)



(cell phone vibrating)

(sighs)

-Hello.

-WESLEY: Have you tried

the chocolate gravy

they have here?

I mean, I get it,

people like chocolate,

and gravy makes everything

taste better,

but chocolate gravy?

It's an abomination.

People should learn when to quit

and leave well enough alone.

Don't you think?

Anyway, listen.

Beautiful, I am starving.

So what do you say

we find a barbecue place

in a sleazy part of town

and pretend neither of us

are who we say we are

and see where

the night takes us?

We agreed to a real debate.

You owe me.

That's not gonna happen.

What are you so afraid of?

(chuckling):

"Afraid."

See, that's just the thing.

I have nothing to fear.

All I have to do is sit back

and watch you spiral again.

(kisses)

-(laughing)

-(engine starts)



MARC: I'm sure you'll agree

we have common interests.

A partnership seems

mutually beneficial.

If you've already broken ground,

then why do you need

a congressman in your pocket?

Well, someone on the inside

to cut through all the red tape

so we can finish construction.

My partners and I don't need

to be burdened with permits,

filing deadlines, inspections,

all of the roadblocks

that strangle progress.

I heard Rick West wasn't

interested in your money.

And I heard you had none.

Hmm. We both know that you're

losing truckloads of cash

each day that this project

is stalled.

You've made assurances

that you can't keep.

And you don't have a prayer

without my money.

Like I said,

mutually beneficial.

Well, either way, it's illegal

to influence a campaign.

If we do agree to this,

I don't want you even talking

to Reverend Hill.

Fine. Fine.

But then it's on you

to keep your boy in line.

'Cause much like his God,

I can giveth

and I can taketh away.

LOTTIE: He wants to fund

your entire campaign,

lock, stock and barrel.

-Marc Shelley?

-LOTTIE: Mm-hmm.

I have to say I'm surprised.

What does he want in return?

What anyone with money wants.

More money?

Without it,

there's zero chance of winning.

So what do you say?

Spend a little bit of money

on a celebratory dinner tonight

or make our way down

to the emergency ward?

Emergency ward?

Where your campaign's

on life support.

Huh.

What do you say, padre?

(busy chatter)

You know we could've just

had pizza delivered.

LOTTIE:

Mm-hmm.

So the reaction

to the podcast...

-SERVER: Here you go.

-As bad as we thought?

-SERVER: Enjoy.

-LOTTIE: Little worse, maybe.

Nothing Marc's money can't fix.

How does the money

get paid back?

Well, it's wrapped up in a

C4 social welfare organization.

Doesn't even have to be spent

on the campaign.

You know, if you talked

a little bit less about God

and a little bit more

on the dirt on Kane,

we might actually have a chance.

You want me to take God

out of the discussion

and replace Him with dirt?

I know my job.

And I know it's useless

to fight dark with darkness.

It's the same idea

with you and John Wesley.

Did you come here

to help me or to hurt him?

(sighs)

You've been talking to Myra.

I'm talking to you.

"Repay no one evil for evil,

but give thought to do

what is honorable."

(sighs)

You really have no idea.

Lord, thank You so much

for this day.

Bless this food to our body,

and thank You for Lottie.

In Jesus' name. Amen.

(sighs)

Okay, fine.

Give me victory

over John Wesley.

Make him suffer the way I have.

You know that he's taken

everything from me.

(cell phone vibrating)

Is everything okay?

Everything's fine.

You didn't call yesterday,

so Chris is asking for you.

(sighs):

Oh. I know, I know.

It-it's been so crazy at work.

-I'm sorry.

-I'm not the one

who needs to hear

your apology, Lottie.

-Okay.

-(sighs)

Look, I know you think

you're going to accomplish

something by being there.

Like you're gonna find

some kind of closure

that will let you move on

with your life.

But your life's here, Lottie.

You of all people

should understand.

I understand...

it takes strength to forgive.

How am I supposed to forgive

when he's not even sorry?

That's where

the strength comes in.

(sighs)

Hold on. Chris wants

to say good night.

Here, honey.

Mommy's on the phone.

Mommy?

Hey, bud. How was Disney World?

Aren't you're having

a good time?

I miss you.

I miss you, too, goose.

Mommy's got some work, but

I'll be home real soon, okay?

I hope they're giving you

a bajillion dollars.

("How Many Times" by Newsboys

playing)

(chuckles)

How many times

have You rescued

-A desperate soul

-(bell tolling)

Paved a way through

a dead-end road

Brought a garden to life

from the ashes?

DAVID: The clergy does this

for its congregation,

and it's really what I think

the politicians should do

for the American people,

because our walls are crumbling.

Our political system

is breached.

And I feel like we need

to come together

and we need to stand up,

because if we don't do it,

who else is gonna do it?

The politicians certainly

are not doing it.

More than the stars

In a thousand night skies

More than the minutes

In a million lifetimes

How many times

have You proven

You love me?

-Oh, how You love me

-(indistinct chatter)

-How you doing?

-(indistinct chatter)

PUNDIT (over TV): Well, voters

might want to see politics

as having a more noble purpose

than just their side winning.

Personally, I found

Hill's comments refreshing,

even inspiring.

All right, well, Hill,

he's drawing a line...

More than the stars

-In a thousand night skies

-(cameras clicking)

More than the minutes

In a million lifetimes

How many times

Have You proven You love me?

Oh, how You love me.

(song ends)

-There you are.

-Thank you so much.

-Really.

-Thank you.

(indistinct chatter)

Hey.

They just filed

their financials.

Looks like Marc Shelley

rolled over the C4

-he set up for West.

-Ah.

How did Shelley sell

that bag of tricks

to the good reverend?

Maybe he's not so good.

Oh. Maybe he's just desperate.

WOMAN:

Good evening, Senator.

Nice to see you.

Pete, Hill just got real money,

which means real media buys

and real influence.

-Hmm.

-Now he can afford staff,

rallies, office space.

Be a mistake

to underestimate this guy.

-Sure.

-People love an underdog story.

-So, what do you suggest?

-WOMAN: Senator, great speech.

I suggest we put a debate

on the books and end this,

but we have to control it.

-Like the podcast.

-No.

That was child's play.

This is where you finish him.



DAVID:

Hey, Martin, it's David.

I was just checking in,

seeing how things are going.

Let me know

if you need anything, okay?

All right, thanks. Bye.

Hey. How are you holding up?

Hey, I get why they call it

running for office--

-'cause I'm exhausted.

-(chuckles)

Well, you better get some rest

'cause tomorrow will be

the first time

most people have ever seen you.

Lottie.

-Yeah.

-Thank you.



(indistinct chatter)

-Thank you. -LOTTIE: The stakes

are higher here

because people

could actually be watching,

-so please stay in the boat.

-Okay.

What's with the tie?

What's wrong with the tie?

It just doesn't look like a tie

that a congressman would wear.

You, give him your tie.

What, you're saying

I look like a congressman?

(scoffs)

(sighs)

Come on.

(Lottie scoffs)

(busy chatter)



Hi, Pastor. Good luck.

DAVID:

Senator.

CREWMAN:

Positions. Let's lock it down.

-Sign and the bell.

-(bell ringing)

Roll the intro.

-Camera three.

-CREWMAN: Five seconds.

CREWMAN 2:

Ready one, and three, two...

Go one and cue Dan.

Tonight State Senator

Peter Kane faces newcomer

Pastor David Hill,

his challenger

for the hotly contested

congressional seat.

This is the Kane-Hill debate.

KANE: There's no place

for a pastor in politics.

There's no place for God

in Washington.

Keep your morality in the church

and stay out of D.C.

I now realize

that your issue isn't

whether or not

the government needs God.

It's that you believe

the government is God.

No, the role of government

is to make lives better.

Why do you have

a problem with that?

I don't, but I do have a problem

-with big government.

-You do.

-It spreads like a cancer.

-Oh, please.

Government allocates money

to help people.

Yes, but to give,

the government must first take.

It's a cycle that breeds

dependency, not solutions.

Oh, you think your church groups

could do it better?

The church fills gaps the

government can't in many ways,

especially in moral guidance.

(chuckling):

Moral guidance. Uh-huh.

See, he's saying that

the state needs the church.

Textbook example

of Christian nationalism.

That's not fair, Senator.

(chuckling):

No, it is fair. It's true.

Whenever anyone of faith

promotes a policy

that you don't like, you label

them a Christian nationalist.

Consider a Christian school

board member who opposes books

that they find

inappropriate for kids.

Is she a nationalist

or just a concerned parent?

(laughing): Where are you

getting all this?

Or what about

the high school coach

who invites players to join in

on a prayer after the game?

Is this nationalism?

-I appreciate your passion.

-Or just a-a man who wants

to thank God

for the opportunity to play?

-THOMPSON: Mr. Hill.

-I'm not talking about coaches.

I appreciate your passion,

but let's shift

-to a topic...

-Is he nationalist?

So let's pivot to a subject

that affects

all of our viewers: health care.

Millions of Americans

are left without it.

Senator,

what would your solutions be?

Well, yes, I think

that health care is a right

and not a privilege.

We depend on government action

to provide it universally.

DAVID:

And pile on more debt.

Senator, we need solutions

that empower people,

not bankrupt our country.

You don't know anything

about the debt.

I know we should spend less.

So you would deny people

health care because of the cost?

-That's not what I said.

-That's your Christian charity?

That's not what I said. We need

efficient, affordable care.

And where do we get that,

your collection plate?

You see, th-that's

the crux of this, Dan.

He and people like him,

th-they think

that their beliefs

should dictate our laws.

Christians don't believe that.

-And that's wrong.

-Christians don't believe that.

Yes, they do.

Then you're missing the point,

Senator.

Our nation was founded

on Christian principles.

KANE (laughing):

"On Christian principles."

It seems we've, uh,

heard that one before.

Well, I hate to break it to you,

but the idea that this

is a Christian nation,

that's more myth than history.

"One nation under God."

That wasn't added into

our Pledge of Allegiance

until the 1950s.

It actually started

with Abraham Lincoln

and the Gettysburg Address.

And the phrase printed

on all of our money,

"in God we trust"?

Again, the 1950s.

If our currency

offends you so much,

-why not spend less of it?

-(Kane chuckles)

Not only would you

learn to save,

but you might just learn

the value

of self-reliance

versus government dependency.

Oh, excellent retort.

And while our money says,

"in God we trust,"

it's clear where

your trust lies:

in the pursuit of power

and not in the principles

that shaped this nation.

CREWMAN:

Go to commercial. Commercial.

Let's go to commercial.

Go commercial.

We'll be back

after a short break.

CREWMAN:

And we're clear.

Two minutes. Last looks.

Dan, get in here.

Much better than the podcast.

I really love the fire.

But you've got to tone down

the God talk

for the mainstream audience.

You're starting

to sound like Kane.

And you're making God

an easy target for them, Pastor.

God's not the target.

Our country is.

God's just standing

in their way.

Look, in order to capitalize

on the momentum,

you got to drop God

and we got to go negative.

Negative campaigns work.

They win.

-Senator.

-Making a spectacle of me

in front of

the television audience, huh?

Framing your agenda

as the moral compass?

-Senator, the debate...

-Quiet! Listen to me.

I will not be made a fool of,

not by you.

I'm gonna change

the landscape, Reverend.

This debate,

that was just the beginning.

I won't stop until your

so-called moral high ground

crumbles beneath your feet.

Remember this moment

when you and your beliefs

were on the wrong side

of history.

You know, this race

is getting more attention

-than it deserves.

-Well, voters...

KANE:

You need to learn to relax.

Hill is done.

It's over.

DAVID (over TV): ...it's clear

where your trust lies:

in the pursuit of power

and not in the principles

that shaped this nation.

...where your trust lies:

in the pursuit of power

and not in the principles

that shaped this nation.

What?

What's the problem, John?

They're about to go negative.

Because once they figure it out,

they'll realize

it's their only move.

Figure what out?

That they can win.

Lottie will dig

until she finds something.

Is there anything I should know?

It's the holier-than-thou crowd

that has so much to hide.

My record is impeccable.

What if it wasn't?

REPORTER (over TV):

Most discussions have centered

around Hill's last comment,

where he questioned

Kane's principles.

Some have speculated

this indicates

the Hill campaign may have found

dirt on Senator Kane,

but for now,

all we can do is wonder,

what does Mr. Hill know

that we don't?

SMITH (recorded):

Hi. You've reached the office

of Congressman Daryl Smith.

Please leave a message.

Hey, Congressman Smith.

It's David Hill.

(sighs)

Look, I, uh...

I don't know what I'm doing.

I feel like I have two options:

I can either do the things

that I feel like

God asked me not to,

or I lose this race.

You can call me back

when you get a chance. Thanks.

(sets down phone)

(sighs)

LOTTIE: Have you found

any surrogate writers

for the website yet?

Well, then make them up.

I want at least 30 websites

to link back to ours.

Well, make those up, too.

I got to go. Bye.

(door closes)

Ugh.

(cell phone dinging)

Oh.

WOMAN: There was nothing, then

all of a sudden, there was this.

Is this the smoking g*n

that I hope it is?

That and so much more.

I don't know how I missed it.

Well, we're not all perfect.

No, what I'm saying is

I don't know how I missed it.

Something's not right, Lottie.

It feels wrong.

I just need it to be right

enough to get me seven points.

Careful, Lottie.

There are things worse

than losing.

Not really. Not really.



(takes deep breath)

Okay, I'll bite. What's this?

Your golden ticket.

When our mutual friend was at

the District Attorney's Office,

he successfully prosecuted

a money laundering case.

First-degree class B felony,

up to 25 years in prison,

even at the state level.

-Okay.

-After three hours

of deliberation,

a jury found the defendant

guilty as charged.

The sentence:

six months time served.

These are the wire transfers

from Kane's offshore accounts.

These outgoing wires

to the judge.

Bribery of a public official,

conspiracy to commit bribery,

malfeasance in office.

(chuckling):

It's all right here.

We're not having

this conversation.

Ten seconds after

the press gets it, it's over.

No more campaign,

no more debate.

We all get to go home, and you,

you get to be

Saint Dave the Congressman.

I've been telling people

that my candidacy

is about more

than winning the election.

If I release this to the media,

then my promise was

nothing more than a slogan.

You don't win unless you play

by their rules.

I've already lost if I do.

Please, destroy this.

No one else sees it.

Fine.

(Sam clears throat)

(cell phone vibrating)

(gate opens)

DAVID:

Monica.

Hey. I am so sorry.

The campaign has been pulling me

in a thousand directions.

What's going on?

Some folks from the government

dropped by

and told us we need

to pack up by week's end.

That's just...

It's in a couple of days.

I'm scared, Pastor.

Where will we go?

Thought we'd have more time,

but I'll make some calls

when I get back to the office.

This campaign, it's just...

Your campaign should not come

at the cost of our safety.

You've let this happen.

You're too caught up

in your future

to see our present

is falling apart.

I'm sorry.

It's just...

...these families, they've...

(sighs)

...barely begun to feel safe

for the first time, and...

now they might lose that, too.

God provides through His people.

But where are they?

(baby crying nearby)



(thunder rumbling)

Hey. I wanted to tell you

I saw your debate with Kane,

and I was very impressed.

Thank you.

I-I hope I earned your vote.

Yeah, no, I don't vote.

Voting doesn't really

change anything.

Okay.

But I will join your church.

Okay, see you at noon.

REPORTER (over TV):

Campaign manager John Wesley

has prepared a statement.

WESLEY (over TV): Now,

I'm holding sworn affidavits

signed by the bank's

board of trustees

that irrefutably demonstrate

that the account numbers

in question

are completely fabricated.

Therefore--

and-and this is important...

...the wires

that the Hill campaign

accused Senator Kane

of sending and receiving

could not possibly have come

from their bank.

The documents that

Mr. Hill released to the press--

that were released to you--

were all forgeries.

They were forged.

-(reporters clamoring)

-WESLEY: On another note,

Senator Kane would like to

express his deep disappointment

not only for the Hill campaign

and its staff members

whose desperation

in the final days

led them

to this libelous pursuit

but also to the good people

of Arkansas

who have had their faith

in Reverend Hill

once again shattered.

Thank you, ladies and gentlemen.

...who have had their faith

in Reverend Hill

once again shattered.

Thank you, lad...



(remote control drops on table)

(scoffs)

I know how this looks.

It was obviously a setup.

How could John have come up

with so much

contrary evidence so fast?

Oh, I admit I took the bait.

I didn't leak it to the press.

Myra, tell him.

Tell him what type of man

John Wesley is.

I wouldn't do this.

(sighs softly)

I'll hand in

my resignation tomorrow.

Well, at least

she gets to go home now.

(snickers)

You can quit, too, Sam,

if that's all the compassion

you have for your colleague.

Okay.

(drops bag on chair)

(staff members murmuring)



(phone ringing)

WESLEY: He hasn't dropped out

of the race yet.

Huh?

But I'm sure he fired Lottie

and the rest of his staff,

which is a beautiful thing.

-(Kane chuckling)

-Hill can't come back from this.

-You're quite the genius, John.

-Thank you.

I mean, it was a brilliant plan,

ex*cuted perfectly.

I'm only disappointed

that I won't get a chance

to debate him and strike

the death blow myself.

-(chuckling)

-Cheers.

PUNDIT:

At the very least,

it's likely that she's been

fired from the team.

At this point, I don't see

(over TV):

any other option for Hill

-but to suspend his campaign

-(phone ringing)

and salvage

even a shred of dignity.

It's still uncertain

if he knew the information

in the press leak

was fabricated,

but either way,

it would be wise to concede

and leave the politics

to the professionals.

(Lottie sobbing)

LOTTIE:

I let him do it to me again.

RUBY (over phone):

Oh, honey.

Did you really think you were

going to heal yourself

by hurting John?

(Lottie sobbing over phone)

Just come home, Lottie.

Just come home.

(sniffles)

DAVID:

Have you heard from Lottie?

PUNDIT (over computer):

Campaign manager...

DAVID: All right,

if you can keep trying.

Thanks, Myra.

PUNDIT (over computer):

It may be safe to assume

she's responsible

for both fabricating

and disseminating

the false allegations

against Senator Kane.

At the very least,

-it's likely she's been fired.

-(sighs)

Pastor Dave?

Uh, I didn't think

you'd be here this late.

City's gonna condemn the shelter

if we can't get it up to code.

Yeah. I saw that.

(chuckles) It's been a day.

I'm sorry, Martin, uh, is there

something I can help you with?

This is very difficult,

Pastor, but...

It's from the board.

They think you should

take a break.

They're suspending me.

Just until things

are cleared up.

I know there must be

a misunderstanding.

I tried to tell

the board, but...

they said this thing

with you and Senator Kane,

it looks bad.

Yeah.

Okay.

I'm supposed to ask you

for your keys.

I'm so sorry.



Thanks, Martin.

You ready to go home, Rev?

Thanks, Tom,

but I'm-I'm gonna walk.

-(thunder rumbling)

-But it's supposed to... rain.

(sighs)

LOTTIE (recorded):

Hi. You've reached Lottie Jay.

Please leave a message.

(siren wailing)

Hi. You've reached Lottie Jay.

Please leave a message.



(thunder crashes)

REPORTER (over TV):

Voters still reeling from

yesterday's allegations

against Reverend David Hill.

Shocking behavior from

a member of the community's

respected clergy.

It's expected he'll announce

his concession in...

Where did I go wrong, Lord?

(doorbell chiming)

-Daryl?

-(Smith chuckles)

Reverend.

I've been publicly disgraced.

I may have to move.

I could face criminal charges.

Maybe I wasn't saving the world,

but I was happy being a pastor.

You know, get

the women's shelter back open.

Now I can't even

do that anymore.

You finished?

Have you heard a word I said?

Yes.

The Lord chased you

out of your comfort zone, and...

you're not happy

with where you landed.

I'm withdrawing from the race.

Get my life back...

if my life will have me back.

No. Hmm.

You put your hand to the plow.

There's no looking back.

You know this.

What's in the bag?

(sighs)

Pine cones?

Lodgepole pine cones.

They're covered

in a superhard sap

to protect the seeds inside.

Mm-hmm. Okay.

There can be no new growth

until you expose the pine cone.

The heat, extreme heat,

like fire heat.

So they have to burn?

That's the upside of wildfires.

It's how old forests

are revived.

Listen, David.

There are a lot of folk

that no matter

what color they vote,

they have lost hope

in the future of our country.

I see it every day

in the faces of my constituents.

Same in my congregation.

They're wondering

where they fit in

or even if they should.

40 million Christians

don't vote.

Then another 15 million

aren't even registered.

Well, politics is

a dirty business.

Yeah, so is taking out

the garbage,

but if you turn your back to it,

things start to stink.

(chuckles softly)

-We can no longer ignore this.

-(sighs)

We have to push

the good of our faith

into this political process.

And it is your campaign

that sets the example

for Christian involvement

in the civic square.

-What about nonbelievers?

-What about 'em?

Things are so bad out there.

We build it right,

they will come.

In fact, they will welcome

our engagement.

I don't know, Daryl.

(sighs) It just...

-seems so...

-Impossible?

Yeah.

It's always impossible...

until it's done.



Until it's done.

SAM: I think you're making

a brave choice.

Which means you think

I'm being foolish.

Depends on what you say.

Are you really gonna admit you

knew about the oppo research?

SAM:

Just deny it.

You have to lie in order

to preserve your image

-of being honest.

-Did you just hear yourself?

MYRA: Well, there's only

one other option.

You are gonna have to throw

Lottie under the bus.

Yeah, I'm not really loving

the choices here.

I'm gonna be straight with you.

No matter what you say,

it probably won't work.

Your chances

of winning this election

have gone from slim

to nonexistent.

We were counting on that

third debate to close the gap.

There's no reason for Wesley

to let Kane do that now.

-I mean, they've already won.

-Regardless of what happens,

there's one thing

that I'm sure of:

Going forward,

we stop spending money.

No more ads, no more posters,

no more flyers,

no more social media spends.

-Come on.

-Nothing.

Damage control is

very expensive, David.

Please, not a penny more.

It's almost time.

(reporters clamoring,

shouts of "Reverend Hill!")

DAVID:

Hello. Good afternoon.

Uh, hi, guys.

DAVID (over tablet):

I, uh...

I want to thank you all

for coming out

-on such short notice.

-(sighs, chuckles)

I also want to extend

my most sincere apologies

to Senator Kane and his staff.

I'm not interested

in your apologies.

DAVID (over tablet):

This happened on my watch....

Just withdraw already.

...so I take

full responsibility.

All that is left to say

on the matter is:

I've never been involved

in anything like this before,

and it'll never happen again.

I would add that...

our political system is broken.

It encourages good people

to do bad things.

And it's up to us to fix it,

which is why I've decided

to continue my campaign

and drive that message

to the American people.

He won't stay dead!

DAVID (over tablet):

I would ask that Senator Kane

honor the terms

of our original agreement

and meet me

for one final debate.

-Thank you.

-(reporters clamoring)

REPORTER:

Reverend Hill! Reverend Hill!

The information

in the press leak,

did you know it was fabricated?

Lottie Jay, has she been fired?

(clamoring continues)

I would ask that

Senator Kane honor the terms

-of our original agreement...

-WOMAN: All right.

Thank you for staying

with us, Miss Jay.

DAVID: ...and meet me for

one final debate. Thank you.

(reporters clamoring over TV)

(takes deep breath)

First to the office,

and then to the airport, Tom.

TOM:

Well, why are you leaving

when the election's

not even over yet?

LOTTIE:

Yes, it is.

TOM:

Well, Rev Dave's not giving up.

He should've never run

in the first place.

I'm to blame for that, too.

Look, all I know is running away

never solved anything.

It just...

it just makes you tired.



I almost let you beat me.

I was this close

until I realized

you're not worth my pride

or my self-respect.

Wesley sent

the Kane story to you.

He was hedging his bets in case

I didn't go public with it

because he knew that you would.

You weren't doing your job,

so I had to step in

and do it for you.

How was I supposed to know

it was a setup?

You were used,

and now a lot of people

will suffer because of it.

I'm sure your career

will recover.

I'm not talking about me.

(sighs)

It happened on my watch,

so I take full responsibility.

Looks like his campaign's

gone sour.

Man.

Yeah, the Internet said

he was set up.

-Mm.

-MICHAEL: Goodness.

We should probably pray

for David, guys.

Let's do it.

God, we pray right now, Lord,

for our brother David

as he stands in the gap

with so many others, Lord.

You bless him, Lord.

Give him success.

Let the results be Your results,

God, and Your will, Lord.

You would turn

this thing around, God.

What Satan meant for evil,

You would make good,

You would turn to good.

But we pray, Jesus,

in your name. Amen.

-ALL: Amen.

-DAVID: ...and honor the terms

of our original agreement

and meet me

for one final debate.

That's all. Thank you so much.

Appreciate you guys.

I will ask that Senator Kane

honor the terms

of our original agreement

and meet me

for one final debate.

Hill drawing a line in the sand.

We'll see how Kane responds.

I'll appear weak

if I don't debate him.

You'll appear confident,

unconcerned.

This is and always has been

your race to lose.

You don't understand.

These people humiliated me

in court.

I want to make

an example out of him.

Do you want victory or revenge?

-I want both!

-It's too risky.

Remember, I call the sh*ts here.

You work for me.

Make it happen.

(sighs)

(sighs)

LOTTIE:

Don't use a vacuum.

Lottie.

I've been looking for you.

I'm guilty

of many despicable things.

Betraying you wasn't one of 'em.

Marc sent the bogus intel

to the press.

Kind of figured that.

You should use

a damp paper towel

to clean up the coffee.

You sure?

Pretty sure.

-DAVID: Ah.

-(both laughing)

LOTTIE:

Thanks.

(David sighs)

(David sighs)

When I told John

I was pregnant...

...he told me to...

"take care of it."

And so I did.

I've been taking care of

our son Christopher ever since.



Spent years...

feeling robbed and unworthy.

I let those feelings define me.

I didn't come here

to help you win an election.

I came to hurt

the person that hurt me.

Letting go is

the sweetest revenge.

I am so sorry

that I dragged you into this.

I didn't run because

you or Daryl talked me into it.

I believe God asked me to.

How do you know it's God?

Well, you know someone

long enough,

you begin to recognize

His voice.

But sometimes knowing it's God

is easier than actually

listening to Him.

Well, why wouldn't you listen

to God if you knew it was Him?

I know, right?

(Lottie chuckles softly)

For most folks, it's fear--

afraid to fail,

afraid to take a chance.

But sooner or later,

we all get hit by that storm.

Hits us

at the worst possible time,

when we're already far out

and lost at sea.

Our first thought is

stay in the boat,

even though it's sinking.

Doesn't make any sense,

but we hang on

because it's what we know.

And what's out there

is terrifying.

But then Jesus walks

across the water,

then He reaches out His hand

and He says, "Do not be afraid.

"Come.

Get out of the boat."

Because, well, we know that...

that if we stay in the boat,

we'll die and only our hope

in Him can save us.

God is good, Lottie.

All the time.

I'll call Myra.

(laughing): You are gonna lose

this election spectacularly.

Well,

that's all the more reason.

Reason for what?

To get out of the boat.

(Lottie chuckles)

DAVID:

This coffee is terrible.

-LOTTIE: The worst.

-(both laughing)



Good evening. I'm Ron Franklin.

Welcome to

this congressional debate.

This contest is not just pivotal

to our own community

but has far-reaching

significance

for the entire nation.

We're not just choosing

-a representative.

-(David praying quietly)

We are selecting

the shape of our country.

DAVID: "He will give you

the desires of your heart."

FRANKLIN:

Now, before we begin...

"Commit your way unto the Lord;

"trust also in Him,

and He will bring it to pass."

You praying for a miracle,

Reverend?

-Are you saying you want one?

-(chuckles)

Oh, I've seen the numbers.

You've seen the numbers.

I'm not the one

that needs divine intervention.

(laughs)

I see someone else

behind that arrogant facade.

I see a man who's lost his way.

Someone who's forgotten

what it's like to lead

with integrity and compassion.

As a matter of fact, I came here

to offer you a lifeline.

All right? A way out.

You concede the race now,

and I'll return everything

you've sacrificed.

I'll arrange

for the women's center

to get the funding

that it needs.

I'll tell the press

that you're innocent

of spreading those nasty lies

about my life in public service.

You can salvage your reputation,

and who knows,

you may even get your job back.

(gasps, chuckles)

Surrender now,

and no one else has to get hurt.

DAVID:

What about the voters?

They'll get hurt.

See, this is the part

where you behave

like a good Christian

and turn the other cheek.

Your nation's counting

on you, Reverend.

(chuckles)

What was that about?

(applause)

FRANKLIN: Now I'd like to

introduce tonight's candidates.

Would you welcome

State Senator Peter Kane

and Reverend David Hill.

-(cheering and applause)

-(cameras clicking)

-Thank you very much.

-State Senator.

-Thank you.

-Reverend, great to see you.

Have a great debate.

KANE:

Are you going to deny

that your loyalties

to the country are likely

to be compromised by

your allegiance to the church?

DAVID:

That's just not true, Senator.

KANE:

Well, it says it right there

in your book right there:

"You cannot serve two masters."

(applause)

The church is subject only

to the Word of God.

And believe me, you don't want

to remove that from government.

(scattered applause)

You guys remember

how upset you were

when they eliminated

prayer in school?

(over TV): That's nothing

to what our nation would become

if we allow them to eliminate

religious freedoms

and Christianity.

Oh, you're playing

the God card here now.

-Think China, North Korea.

-Maybe you haven't heard,

God is not on the ballot.

-European socialist countries.

-Do you hear yourself now?

I do, and so could everyone else

-if you'd stop interrupting.

-(applause)

FRANKLIN (over TV): Uh, a word

of caution to our audience.

Kane knows all the tricks.

He's never gonna let Hill

off the ropes.

FRANKLIN (over TV): ...keep

your reactions to a minimum.

KANE:

You call it interference.

I call it a caring government

-that provides for its citizens.

-(applause)

After all, "Do unto others."

Isn't that the main message

of Christianity?

Hmm? Is it not?

No.

KANE: And isn't

"love thy neighbor" central

to the teachings of Jesus?

No, Senator.

Central to the teachings

of Jesus is Jesus.

(applause, murmurs of agreement)

Why is it every four years

we have to watch a politician

take Jesus off their shelf,

find a Bible verse

that they found

on someone else's Instagram page

and use just a piece of it

in order to advance

their political agenda?

-(applause, murmuring)

-Senator, you seem to miss

-the one key and vital point.

-No, no, no. You miss the point.

The point, uh, today...

The only reason

Jesus's teachings

of "love thy neighbor" resonates

is because He was

the Son of God,

the Creator of the universe.

-(applause)

-Without that minor detail,

Jesus would just be

another false prophet.

-Well...

-What you're trying to do

is remove God from our schools,

our culture, our government

and even our history.

Pastor, you're laboring

under the misconception

that our country was founded

based solely

on Christian principles.

But let's not

rewrite history here.

-Our founders...

-(feedback squeals)

they were a diverse group.

Some were deists, yes,

but others,

they valued a clear separation

of church and state.

And these men... these men,

they gave us America's

crowning achievement:

universal human rights.

A simple yet radical idea

for its time.

MARTIN:

They called it

the Cultural Revolution.

An idea that was expressed...

SMITH:

They have lost hope

in the future of our country.

I see it

every day in the faces

of my constituents.

KANE:

...succinctly expressed...

Well, why wouldn't you listen

to God if you knew it was Him?

KANE:

...in our founding documents.

"We hold these truths

to be self-evident."

(whispers):

Get out of the boat.

Finish it.

Excuse me?

Finish it.

What comes next?

Or do you plan to rewrite

the Declaration

of Independence, too?

(laughter)

(chuckles)

Ridiculous.

"We hold these truths

to be self-evident,

"that all men are created equal,

"that they are endowed

by their Creator

with certain

inalienable rights."

Don't you see, Senator?

These... these rights--

how did you put it?

America's crowning achievement.

(cameras clicking)

They don't come

from a piece of paper.

They come from God

and the biblical idea that all

men are created in His image.

-(applause, cheering)

-Okay... (mutters)

DAVID (over TV): We cannot

remove God from the fabric

of our country

without risk of it collapsing.

Imagine if all Christians

mobilized and voted.

Do you know what would happen?

Ask him.

He does, and it terrifies him.

You have the power

to change things.

Not me, not him.

-You.

-(applause)

So send the message

to Washington.

Tell them that you're not ready

to give that power up.

Don't stay quiet.

Don't be silent.

Don't let them push you

into the shadows.

You are the salt.

You are the light.

(cheering)

Fight the good fight.

Fight the good fight.

(excited laughter, cheering)

Yeah. Yeah.

What's going on?

God gave you a voice.

He gave you a vote.

A vote.

Use it.

(cheering and applause)

(cell phone vibrates)

Huh.

(cheering and applause continue)

(muttering)

(cheering and applause continue)

Use it.

MAN (over TV):

The people have spoken!

Yes! Reverend Hill!

And all the time...

...God is good.



REPORTER: We're getting

late into the evening now

as many mail-in ballots

are still being counted.

This race is neck and neck,

owing largely

to the groundswell

after Sunday night's debate.

After a series

of unprecedented recounts,

this is sure to come

down to the wire,

and we may not have a final

result until the morning.



(birds chirping)

(siren whooping)

(cheering and applause)



(chuckling):

Yeah. Thank you.

Thank you so much.

Thank you.

Let's open up our Bibles

to Psalm 20,

verse six through nine.

"Now this I know:

The Lord gives victory

"to His anointed.

"He answers him

from His heavenly sanctuary

"with the victorious power

of His right hand.

"Some trust in chariots

and some in horses,

"but we trust in the name

of the Lord our God.

"They are brought

to their knees and fall,

but we rise up and stand firm."

MONICA:

Well, you did it, Pastor.

Congressman.

Not just repairs

but a new house.

How'd you pull it off?

Marc Shelley.

Turns out the law allows you

to spend campaign money

on things like

the women's center.

Mm.

So you're working here now?

MONICA:

I don't know, I just...

felt like I wanted to give back.

DAVID:

I know what you mean.

MAN:

Let's head on inside.

MARTIN:

Lord, give victory to the king.

-Amen.

-CONGREGATION: Amen.

Some will trust

in chariots of w*r

Some believe

in nothing anymore

'Cause kingdoms rise

And kingdoms fall

But there is One who stands

Above them all

In God we trust

In God we trust

'Cause there is power

in His name

Age to age,

He's still the same

In God we trust

Jehovah

He is Rapha, He is Jireh

He's the banner over us

In God we trust

We believe He is

the Great I Am

We know He holds

the whole world

In His hands

Oh, Christ alone

Our cornerstone

And everything He's done,

He'll do again

In God we trust

In God we trust

'Cause there is power

in His name

Age to age,

He's still the same

In God we trust

Jehovah

He is Rapha, He is Jireh

He's the banner over us

In God we trust

Oh, oh, oh-oh-oh

Oh-oh-oh

No other name

No other way

No other

No other

No other name

No other way

No other

In God we trust

Your kingdom come

-In God we trust

-In God we trust

In God we trust

Your kingdom come

Cause there is power

in His name

Age to age,

He's still the same

-In God we trust

-In God we trust

-Jehovah

-Jehovah

He is Rapha, He is Jireh

He's the banner over us

In God we trust

-We trust in You

-Oh, oh-oh-oh

We do

Oh, oh, oh-oh-oh

No other name

No other way

No other

No other

No other name

No other way

No other

No other.

(song ends)

(music ends)