The Manchurian Candidate (1962)

John McGiver: Senator Thomas Jordan

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Quotes 

• Mrs. Iselin : [cordially, at a party the Iselins are giving]  How good of you to come, Tom.

  Sen. Thomas Jordan : [matter-of-fact, rather than cordial]  I've explained to your husband why I'm here.

  Mrs. Iselin : Tom, I know you have strong, personal feelings about Johnny and about me. But, what I would like to find out is, how strong they really are. To put it as simply as possible, If Johnny's name were to be put forward at the convention next week, would you attempt to block him?

  Sen. Thomas Jordan : [taken slightly aback]  You're joking, of course?

  Mrs. Iselin : Mr. Stevenson makes jokes, I do not.

  Sen. Thomas Jordan : You're seriously trying for the nomination for Johnny?

  Mrs. Iselin : No, we couldn't make it. But he has a good chance for the second spot. Now, I've answered your question, but you haven't answered mine. Will you block us?

  Sen. Thomas Jordan : Would I block you? I would spend every cent I own, and all I could borrow, to block you. There are people who think of Johnny as a clown and a buffoon, but I do not. I despise John Iselin and everything that Iselinism has come to stand for. I think, if John Iselin were a paid Soviet agent, he could not do more to harm this country than he's doing now. You have asked me a question. Very well, I shall answer you. If you attempt a deal with the delegates, or cause Johnny's name to be brought forward on the ticket, or if, in my canvass of the delegates tomorrow morning, I find that you are so acting, I will bring impeachment proceedings against your husband on the floor of the United States Senate. And I will hit him, I promise you, with everything in my well-documented book.

  Mrs. Iselin : [Mrs. Iselin leaves without a word, the discussion clearly over, for the present]