In March 1996, Democratic Party (United States) United State Senate Jay Bulworth of California is losing his bid for re-election to a fiery young populist. Bulworth's American liberalism views, formed in the 1960s and 1970s, have lost favor with voters, so he has conceded to more Conservatism politics and to accepting donations from big corporations. In addition, though he and his wife have been having affairs with each other's knowledge for years, they must still present a happy façade in the interest of maintaining a good public image.