I thought I was in for a naive, 2 hour long, milquetoast love story to Democracy when I sat down to watch this film.  It has been parodied all over the place and I never actually thought I could take it seriously...but his film is anything but naive.  There is an acceptance of corruption inherent in the story, but Frank Capra's and Jimmy Stewart's enthusiasm with the material, and swelling, patriotic script, is inspiring to say the least.  I couldn't believe how excited I was for the filibuster finale, but I was actually on the edge of my seat.  It certainly isn't a love story to Democracy...it is a an exhibition of passionate, democratic idealsand a plea for how to preserve them and allow them to prevail.  Wonderful!!!