Conservative populist Bob Roberts (Tim Robbins) epitomizes the public relations created candidate. A former folk singer and entertainer, he is an intellectual lightweight, but manages to convey the sentiments voters like. His opponent is an old political lion named Sen. Paiste (Gore Vidal) whose prickly nature makes him a vulnerable candidate for re-election. With his ruthless campaign manager (Alan Rickman), Bob Roberts is prepared to do anything to unseat the enemy with his self-righteous views. An underground reporter named Bugs (Giancarlo Esposito) does his best to expose Roberts as a fraud.