Based on the Pulitzer Prize-winning play by Howard Lindsay and Russell Crouse, and also marking the culmination of Frank Capra's remarkable series of films on American politics and society, State of the Union examines the impact of hard political reality on idealistic industrialist Grant Matthews (Spencer Tracy) who is drafted to run for the presidency. As a candidate, he is caught between the ruthless ambition of newspaper owner Kay Thorndyke (Angela Lansbury) who pulls the strings of his campaign and the integrity of his wife (Katherine Hepburn) who believes in the man behind the political facade. Capra presents a memorable menagerie of handshaking, backstabbing Party professionals who turn the election into an elaborate political sideshow. Matthews' disillusionment crystalizes in a coast to coast radio broadcast which climaxes the campaign.