Ep 16. The Making of a Councilman

Rob Petrie is known for his excellent writing skills and his creativity. However, in The Dick Van Dyke Show season 5 episode 16, he is asked to write a campaign speech for a friend named Jerry Helper who is running for the position of City Councilman.

As Rob begins to work on the speech, he realizes that Jerry may not be the best candidate for the job. Rob starts to have doubts about Jerry's intentions and whether or not he has the qualifications to run for office.

Meanwhile, Laura Petrie is asked to do her part for the campaign by hosting a coffee party for Jerry. Laura goes above and beyond in her preparation for the event, but Jerry's behavior at the party reveals even more concerns for Rob about Jerry's potential as a Councilman.

Rob struggles to write a speech that will address both Jerry's weaknesses and strengths while still urging the public to vote for him. He seeks advice from his co-workers at work but finds he is butting heads with the more conservative Buddy Sorrell.

As the election approaches, Rob finds himself conflicted about how to support Jerry. He ultimately decides he cannot endorse Jerry without disclosing his reservations to the public and urges Jerry to withdraw from the race.

The Making of a Councilman is an episode of The Dick Van Dyke Show that dives into the world of politics and highlights the importance of honesty and integrity in campaigns. It showcases the various challenges political campaigns often encounter, including doubt in a candidate's abilities, conflicting beliefs between supporters and opponents, and the difficulty of being honest while also showing support. The episode is a humorous and insightful look at the world of politics and campaign management.