They were academics, idealists who'd participated in fund-raisers to fight polio and to foster better education for poor children. For the first time, they were facing choices they didn't like.”
-- Narrator (5 )

Importance: Charlie and Margaret have very different lives after Charlie becomes a Congressman. This is one of several times he looks back on their lives when they were associated with the university instead of politics.

He mumbled something about needing to work with Congress in order to be able to do some larger good. But it didn't sound any more convincing than all the previous times he'd said it, and the look on his face told her the disappointment on her own devastated him.”
-- Narrator (9 )

Importance: This is one of many examples of how Charlie begins to compromise his morals and values to get along in Washington. Margaret is upset that he is making these decisions, but Charlie feels he has no choice...