From The West Wing

I was just watching an old re-run of the second Season 4 episode of The West Wing.   The Bartlett Administration is in re-election mode.  There are already articles pointing out the similarities between that program and the current US election campaign.  And did you know that one of the writers modeled the character of Matt Santos on Barack Obama?  Anyway, this little exchange between Toby and Josh leapt out at me.  If you're not a fan of the show you wont be able to put the faces to the names, but if you've been paying any attention at all to the primaries, then this might sound familiar...

TOBY: If our job teaches us anything, it's that we don't know what the next President's gonna face. And if we choose someone with vision, someone with guts, someone with gravitas, who's connected to other people's lives, and cares about making them better... if we choose someone to inspire us, then we'll be able to face what comes our way and achieve things... we can't imagine yet. Instead of telling people who's the most qualified, instead of telling people who's got the better ideas, let's make it obvious. It's going to be hard.

JOSH: Then we’ll do what’s hard.

Comments

[Chris in Flux]

Love, love, love The West Wing! Does that mean we can get re-runs here? What channel?

Still trying to find my feet here in your (our?) fair country...

[Trish]

HI Chris - it's on Foxtel - which is pay per view. Like cable.

I nearly bought the box set of all seven seasons a few weeks ago. I stood in line at the shop with it tucked under my arm ($165 on sale!!) and then thought nah, I don't really need it, so I put it back and left. And then I changed my mind and went back to get it and the sale was over and it's nearly $300. Next time I see it on sale, I'm going to get it. It's a fantastic series and I never get tired of the reruns.

[Jennifer]

I'm an old reader with a new blog, please drop by.

I love West Wing - I've just started the season three re-runs (Barlett just announced he's running for re-election). They all look so young! (Except for Leo who ironically looks worse, I think, than in his last season.) In my dreams, I am always that informed and articulate.