Game Change: Behind the Scenes

Ed Harris as McCain, Julianne Moore as Sarah Palin in the HBO movie Game Change

Journalists Mark Halperin and John Heileman say they always conceived of  their best-selling book Game Change, part of which was made into the HBO movie by the same name , in cinematic terms with broad set pieces and vivid characters..

The idea for the book came early in the 2008 election campaign as Halperin and Heileman were riding back together from a John McCain event in Washington, DC.

"We knew the nomination races would have great plot twists and be very cinematic," Heileman says. "So I turned to Mark and said 'let's write a movie.' Mark asked if I had ever written a screenplay and I said no. He said let's focus on something we actually know how to do."

So the pair wrote the book, actually titled Game Change: Obama and the Clintons, McCain and Palin, and the Race of a Lifetime about the "human story" behind the candidates and the process. The book rights were purchased by HBO. After a couple of false starts, a decision was made to create a movie based on the 2 chapters of the book that deal with the selection of charismatic, controversial Sarah Palin as McCain's Vice Presidential running mate.

The movie has generated a great amount of news coverage, much of it attempting to judge how fairly it portrays McCain and especially Palin. Both GOP political figures have indicated they have no plans to watch the film.

Today, Halperin and Heileman appeared at The Newseum to discuss their book, the film, and the reactions it has provoked. The talk, part of the Newseum's ongoing Inside Media series, came one day after the facility hosted an invitation-only world premier for Game Change attended by such Hollywood luminaries as actress Julianne Moore, who uncannily portrays Sarah Palin, and producer Tom Hanks, as well as a who's who of Washington DC media stars..

Heileman, who stood only a few feet away as Palin, then a virtual unknown governor of Alaska, made a spectacular entrance into the world of national politics with her riveting acceptance speech at the GOP Convention to nominate McCain, said Palin's unusual story line and characteristics provided natural material to translate into a  powerful film.

"There was a press frenzy around her," Heileman said. "The pressure on her could not have been greater. She could have fallen like a souffle and been taken off the ticket. But with her speech, I don't know how she could have done any better. She showed her natural charisma. The pick looked like genius. At that moment, Sarah Palin took over the heart of the Republican party."

But in the weeks that followed, Palin's star tarnished. Based on a series of gaffes and comments, much of America judged her as unfit to be vice president and she and McCain lost to Barack Obama and Joe Biden in the 2008 election.

Some of Palin's diminished appeal came from a perception that she lacked intelligence and political acumen, a failing comedian Tina Fey promoted with her spot-on impersonations of Palin on Saturday Night Live. 

Fey's impersonation was  so fixed in the public's mind, that it sparked a natural question - why not have Fey portray Palin in the movie?  "It was a brilliant, funny caricature, but it wouldn't  have worked in a serious movie," Halperin said.

Concerning widespread criticism from Republican die-hards about the film, Halperin replied that "people should see the film. Then, if they have specific criticisms, we would love to hear them."

As for Palin's political future, both authors said the last chapter in that real-life story has yet to be written. "Gov. Palin still has a huge voice in the Republican party. She will be part of the national discussion for a long time.," Halperin said.

Heileman agreed. "She is young. She still packs the house like no one else. It wouldn't be a surprise at all if she someday runs for president," he said.

Tales, Tidbits, and Tips
Obviously, most of the Inside Media program focused on Game Change. However, since both Halperin and Heileman are covering this year's GOP primaries, questions about that race also surfaced. Halperin said Mitt Romney began the campaign as the front-runner and he "still is that."
He cautioned that despite his lead, Romney still faces 3 major problems: he may not have the required majority of delegates by the time the convention begins, he didn't do well in the recent voting in the South, and with Alabama and Mississippi next, "you can begin to talk about a scenario in which Rick Santorum can take Mitt Romney out." Heileman, who has called this political season "whack-a-doodle" in his writings, says Romney's weak support demonstrates how many voters  are "reluctant to embrace him. He's not really in sync with where the Republican party is today." Heileman said that is somewhat ironic since Romney was considered the conservative alternative to McCain in 2008. In a national election, it appears Romney would struggle to gain the votes he would need from Hispanics, women, and independent voters to gain the presidency. "He  has done himself damage, but whether it is lasting damage or temporary damage remains to be seen," Heileman said. Despite the outcome, the authors revealed that they would be writing a sequel of sorts. Heileman jokingly suggested that they already had 2 good titles: Game Change 2: This Time It's Personal or Game-ier, Change-ier