Introduction

U.S. Senator Joseph McCarthy is here tonight in the foothills of Appalachia to attend a fundraiser. In just a few minutes McCarthy is supposed to give a speech, but as he looks around this backwater town, he's seriously considering pulling out. It's February 9, 1950 in Wheeling, West Virginia. A car door slams and one of McCarthy's aides joins him. He grimaces as he surveys the surroundings. The McClure Hotel, one of the more famous attractions in Wheeling. If you're curious, it used to be the capital of... I don't need the history lesson. Look at this! What the hell are we doing here? We should be in