A Likely Candidate

S3, E8: Keith is suddenly jolted out of his political apathy when Laurie takes him to a rally where Richard Lawrence, a candidate for Congressman, is speaking. Keith is so enthusiastic about the man that he decides to help Lawrence run his campaign. That night, Lawrence, who is handsome and charming besides being an excellent candidate, visits the Partridges to see if they will perform at a rally he is giving. All the kids notice that there is an immediate attraction between the politician and Shirley and, in fact, Richard invites their mother out to dinner that very night. Within a few days, there is obviously a budding romance going on between Shirley and Richard, now known as "Dick." But Keith feels insecure about this, afraid he is going to lose his mother. Shirley dispels her son's jealousy by explaining to him that there are some times when she feels very lonely and wants a man's companionship. Although Richard later loses the election, he flatters Shirley by saying that losing has its advantages, for this way he will not have to go off to Washington and be separated from her.