The Race (2007)

Frank Capra idealism meets Karl Rove reality in Richard North Patterson's slick new entertainment, The Race. Upstanding Sen. Corey Grace runs for president to restore integrity to the office. He's a gay-friendly supporter of stem-cell research with a liberal African-American girlfriend, but also, improbably, a Republican. His chief rival for his party's nomination: a soulless career pol whose every move is orchestrated by the Mephistophelian Magnus Price, indisputably modeled on Rove, from the smirk to the wispy hair. Sadly, Price's campaign shenanigans won't shock anyone who followed the last few elections, and Patterson's corny ending will only elicit eye rolls. B-