When the Vice President of the United States suddenly dies, Senator Laine Hanson (Joan Allen - Academy Award Nominee) is chosen by the President (Jeff Bridges - Academy Award Nominee) to be the first woman to hold the office. The selection however meets with strong opposition from members of both parties, in particular a powerful political adversary Senator Shelly Runyon (Gary Oldman) who orchestrates a dirty-tricks campaign, which dredges up the apparent sexual misgivings of her past. Her confirmation hearings set off a firestorm of controversy as shocking secrets from Hanson's past are revealed, threatening her personal life as well as her political future.