This show has two points of special interest, flagged by WFB in his introduction:

(1) There were indications of a party realignment in the South. In 1984, Texas

Congressman Phil Gramm had moved from the Democratic to the Republican Party and was elected to the Senate. Would others follow? (2) Governor White was being spoken of as presidential material, and this was his first appearance on nationwide television. Governor White's political hopes were not borne out; Southern Republicans' were to some extent (cf. #S730). A genial and informative hour, beginning with the education reforms Governor White was implementing, and going on to federal deficits, redistricting, and the 1988 elections. MW: "You can sit around in a classroom all day and debate the issues of voter turnout, but if it's not a hot contest... You know, there is nothing better than a good hot sheriffs race in east Texas to get people to go vote."