The movie was first released in 1992 which was the year of an American Presidential Election. The film premiered stateside on 4th December 1992 which was about a month after the '92 Election between incumbent Republican 'George H.Bush', Independent Ross Perot, and Democrat Bill Clinton, with the latter winning. Publicity for this picture stated: "On Nov. 3, Americans will go to the polls to elect new leaders. On Dec. 4, Americans will go to the movies to see what we've gotten ourselves into."
This political comedy film is directed by Jonathan Lynn, who previously had great success as a co-creator and co-writer of the British political comedy series Yes Minister (1980), and its' sequel, Yes, Prime Minister (1986).
During his run for Congress speech, Thomas Jefferson Johnson (Eddie Murphy) quotes several Presidents of the United States as well as a few other American historical figures including "Live Free or Die" from Revolutionary War General John Stark. He quotes four term Democrat President Franklin D. Roosevelt - "We have nothing to fear but fear itself"; Legendary 1960s Democrat President John F. Kennedy - "Ask not what your country can do for you, ask what you can do for your country"; and George Bush (George H.W. Bush, nick-named Bush #41) - "Read My Lips".