A widely popular and hated Republican president is defeated in a close and disputed election by a purported moderate Democrat. The newly elected president’s policies are so radical that a secession movement gains considerable steam. Two intellectuals from each party develop a process through which 10 members of Congress, five Republicans and five Democrats, attempt to draft potential legislation on 10 controversial issues that would be tolerable to both sides. Although the members of Congress are reasonably successful, treachery and murder await in the wings.