Gore Vidal's the Best man

"Two candidates, one a conscience-ridden intellectual (Henry Fonda), the other a ruthless opportunist (Cliff Robertson), are vying for their party's nomination for the presidency of the United States. Finally, it all hinges on who will win the endorsement of the ex-President (Lee Tracy), a snapish, self-styled "political hick" who thrives on infighting and deplores indescision."@en
"Story of two candidates for their party's presidential nomination. One is an intellectual with a sense of morality, the other an opportunist who would win at all costs. The deciding factor is the endorsement of the out-going president who thrives on political in-fighting and deplores indecision."
"Two candidates - one a conscience-ridden intellectual, the other a ruthless opportunist - are vying for their party's nomination for President. Finally it all hinges on the endorsement on the ex-President who thrives on infighting and deplores indecision."@en