The West Wing
The West Wing has the most thought provoking story lines. Tonight's episode involved three different presidential candidates going to Iowa to win the caucus and talking to corn farmers. All of them privately knew that ethanol subsidies were a terrible idea for the country and a one billion dollar windfall for corporate farmers in Iowa, yet two of them supported ethanol subsidies publicly in order gain votes in the critical Iowa caucuses. The third candidate actually vocalized what all of them felt. It was a move that was principled, but political suicide.
One thing I wonder about is how well researched the show is. It's easy to believe all the facts and views they present. They definitely present everything with an adoring view of California-style Democrats. If it is written without solid research behind it, they run the danger of presenting fiction as fact. Of course we know it's television, but it influences how we view real politics and issues.
In many ways it's an idyllic view of how politics work. In The West Wing, compromises are made frequently, but with a reason and always with a flair for political brilliance. My favorite episode was an episode called "The Supremes" wherein a Supreme Court Justice dies suddenly. While interviewing several candidates to replace the dead justice, they are struck with the dilemma of nominating a exceedingly mediocre candidate or nominating an amazing candidate but one whose liberal views made her unable to actually win the confirmation from a closely divided Senate. The bargain that they ask of the Republicans is to confirm the amazing candidate, but in exchange for support from Senate Republicans, the old Chief Justice who is also ailing in health will retire and the Democrats will confirm the most intelligent and zealous Republican nominee. The complementary confirmations would then usher in a era of great judicial decisions from both sides instead of having to settle for unimaginitive middle of the road judicial work.
They have also tackled other interesting issues, like Israel, Taiwan, and how politics and pollsters work.
Anyways, I love the west wing. You should watch it.
One thing I wonder about is how well researched the show is. It's easy to believe all the facts and views they present. They definitely present everything with an adoring view of California-style Democrats. If it is written without solid research behind it, they run the danger of presenting fiction as fact. Of course we know it's television, but it influences how we view real politics and issues.
In many ways it's an idyllic view of how politics work. In The West Wing, compromises are made frequently, but with a reason and always with a flair for political brilliance. My favorite episode was an episode called "The Supremes" wherein a Supreme Court Justice dies suddenly. While interviewing several candidates to replace the dead justice, they are struck with the dilemma of nominating a exceedingly mediocre candidate or nominating an amazing candidate but one whose liberal views made her unable to actually win the confirmation from a closely divided Senate. The bargain that they ask of the Republicans is to confirm the amazing candidate, but in exchange for support from Senate Republicans, the old Chief Justice who is also ailing in health will retire and the Democrats will confirm the most intelligent and zealous Republican nominee. The complementary confirmations would then usher in a era of great judicial decisions from both sides instead of having to settle for unimaginitive middle of the road judicial work.
They have also tackled other interesting issues, like Israel, Taiwan, and how politics and pollsters work.
Anyways, I love the west wing. You should watch it.
posted by Hubert at 1/26/2005 09:28:00 PM
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