The title and plot of the episode are parodies of the 1939 film "Mr. Smith Goes to Washington", in which the character Jefferson Smith comes to Washington with patriotic enthusiasm, but is instead shocked to see evidence of corruption in the government. "The Tampa Tribune"s Curtis Ross called this reference one of the best film references in "The Simpsons" history. Lisa's visit to the Lincoln Memorial is a direct reference to "Mr. Smith Goes to Washington", in which Smith appeals to Lincoln's statue for inspiration like Lisa did in the episode. In his book "Abraham Lincoln in the Post-Heroic Era", Barry Schwartz writes that the scene with Lisa at the crowded monument shows how "thoroughly Lincoln's moral and emotional significance has waned". Mark Reinhart writes in the book "Abraham Lincoln on Screen" that the scene sums up "with brilliant wit" the American society's "annoying and ultimately useless tendency to ask 'What would Lincoln have done?' whenever [they face a political or social dilemma". "Mr. Smith Goes to Washington" was once again referenced on "The Simpsons" in the season fourteen episode "Mr. Spritz Goes to Washington".