Sheldon Harnick Follow

[Whaddya say, Ben? Want a hand?]
[Nah, you guys go ahead. I got too much on my mind to play poker.]

Chorus members:
King bets.
Cost you five.
Tony, up to you.
I'm in.
So am I.
Likewise.
Me, too.

Ben:
Gentlemen, here we are, and one thing is clear:
We gotta pick a candidate for Congress this year.

Chorus members:
Big ace.
Ace bets.
You'll pay... through the nose.
I'm in.
So am I.
Likewise.
Here goes.
[Possible straight...Possible flush...nothin']

Gentlemen, how about some names we can use?
Some qualified Republican who's willing to lose.

How's about we should make Jack Riley the guy?

Which Riley are you thinking of, Jack P. or Jack Y.?

I say, neither one. I never even met 'em.

I say, when you got a pair o' jacks, bet 'em!

Politics and Poker, Politics and Poker
shuffle up the cards and find the joker
Neither game's for children
Either game is rough
Decisions, decisions, like:
who to pick
how to play
what to bet
when to call a bluff!

[All right, now, fellas, politics or poker: which is more important?]
Chorus members:
Pair of treys...
Bet 'em!
Little treys...good as gold.
I'll stay.
Raise you five.
I'll call.
I'll fold.
[Raise you back...
I think you're bluffing.
Put your money where your mouth is.]

Ben:
Gentlemen, knock it off, and let's get this done.

Try Michael Einyuszinkewich, I'm certain he'd run.

Mike is out, I'm afraid he just wouldn't sell.
Nobody likes a candidate who's name they can't spell!

How about Dave Zimmerman?

Dave, he's too bright.

What a bout Walt Gustafson?

Walt died last night.

How about Frank Monaghan? what about George Gale?

Frank ain't a citizen and George is in jail.

We could run Al Wallenstein...

He's only twenty-three.

What about Ed Peterson?

You idiot, that's me!

Politics and Poker, Politics and Poker
Playing for a pot that's mediocre
Politics and Poker
running neck and neck
If politics seems more
predictable
That's because
usually
you can stack
the deck!

Politics and Poker, Politics and Poker
Makes the average guy a heavy smoker
Bless the nominee,
and give him our regards
And watch while he learns that in
Poker
and politics
Brother,
you've gotta have
That slippery
hap-hazardous
commodity
You've gotta have
the cards!