Vinick/Santos Debate?

[Mao]

I'm not sure how many people here catch the West Wing, but I've always thought the show to be interesting. Unfortunately, I didn't/couldn't see the live debate, but heard interesting things about it. Does anyone know where I could get it? I mean, if it's not illegal or anything, but I'd really like to see it.

From what I heard about it, it frankly put both parties to shame because their debate was actually substantive and mattered, and not sound bytes or slogans. Gah...sad that Hollywood had to come up with a better debate than real candidates could...

[Ninot]

Hollywood does not represent America's Heartland.

God Bless President Bush.

[DinoDoc]

What are you talking about?

[Donegeal]

I watched part of it. You could tell it was totally scripted. Good thing, too, cause in RL Alan Alda would have schooled whats his names (my age is showing there, isn't it?).

[Flubber]

Watched it and quite enjoyed it. Of course it was scripted and and I think they intentionally did it to make the Santos character look better ( ie win the debate) since otherwise they can't have an election cliffhanger. The storyline has the republicans winning in the polls by a reasonably wide margin so they need something to make it close.

My thinking has always been that the Democrats have to win again since thats the only way to keep the majority of the characters around. Although perhaps the West wing might be gutsy enough to try a change of administration. You could get a season easy out of following the various characters to their transitions to other jobs-- It might actually breathe new life in the show to have a wholesale change of characters

I wonder could the writers be as sympathetic to a republican mandate as they were to a democrat one??

[Flubber]

Originally posted by Donegeal
I watched part of it. You could tell it was totally scripted. Good thing, too, cause in RL Alan Alda would have schooled whats his names (my age is showing there, isn't it?).

But in real life , wouldn't Alan Alda be a democrat ??

[Mao]

So...anyone have it/know where I could get it?

Scripted or not, it seemed to actually touch on real substantive issues.

[Zkribbler]

Originally posted by Flubber
But in real life , wouldn't Alan Alda be a democrat ??

He certainly looks like a Democrat. Look at his shaggy haircut. No Republican would be caught dead looking like that. Love the West Wing, but Alda is grieviously miscast.

[Imran Siddiqui]

Yeah, they should have hired Clint Eastwood to play the Republican (he's libertarian Republican-ish) .

[flash9286]

It was ok, but boring in some parts. I think Alda plays a good moderate Republican.

[Flubber]

Well this site says you can watch debate highlights

http://www.nbc.com/The_West_Wing/

Took me 30 seconds to find using a yahoo search

[Flubber]

Originally posted by flash9286
It was ok, but boring in some parts. I think Alda plays a good moderate Republican.

He is playing a moderate. I remember the early shows when the democrats dismissed the idea that he could be a candidate since the republicans "would never pick him" but at the same time they were very very afraid of facing a moderate republican.

Its interesting seeing a republican that supports a woman's right to choose. IN such a race the religious right would not know what to do.

I also liked the interchange on the death penalty( not actual quotes but my recollection of the substance)

Moderator : Senator Santos would you support a moratorium on the imposition of the death penalty.

Santos: Yes

Moderator :Care to Elaborate?

Santos: No , Thats it.

Moderator :Senator Vinick would you support a moratorium on the imposition of the death penalty?

Vinick: No

Moderator : No?

Vinick: I think we have covered the issue.

I don't thiink I ever saw actual politicians give such unnuanced answers

[Ramo]

IIRC, Shrub did something like that in a debate with Anne Richards (and then Richards gave a long answer). I can't remember the context though.

Anyways, I like Alda much more than Smits, as actors. I hope that Alda wins (or at least keeps a prominent role in the show).

[Flubber]

Originally posted by Ramo
IIRC, Shrub did something like that in a debate with Anne Richards (and then Richards gave a long answer). I can't remember the context though.

But I don't EVER remember a debate where in answer to a question on a substantial issue, one candidate would say "yes" and the other say " no " and neither of them felt the need to elaborate

Originally posted by Ramo

Anyways, I like Alda much more than Smits, as actors. I hope that Alda wins (or at least keeps a prominent role in the show).

I like Alda too although I still think of him in his MASH role .

If Alda wins, that means the West Wing cleans house. I can't imagine any credible storyline whereby the senior staffers play any role so if they stayed on the show it would have to be in other roles


I see the show having 3 options

1. Have Smits win and contuinue the show-- many characters could stay on-- In fact arguably all of them except for the current presidential family.

2. Have Alda win and continue the show . . . In some ways this could be the same show just with all new people. Continuity could come from a few characters that you continue to follow in new roles and if they start developing some more republicans. I don't find this option incredibly likely since they haven't really developed the republican side of things much

3. Look at ending the show-- The end of the Bartlett presidency provides an easy opportunity for the show to bow out after a reasonably long and successful run. In this scenario either side could win, since the show would be less about the new team and more about the old one and their transition out of power. You could easily get a season out of it. I think an episode contrasting a presidential day with a day soon after a new president takes office would be very good.



I think they are attempting option 1. The focus on the democratic team says to me that they are trying to write in ways that allow for a good continuation of the show

[Imran Siddiqui]

Bah... this is why I stopped watching West Wing. Does ANYONE in their right minds think someone like Santos would become the President? Pick a Democrat Latino Congressman from Texas. You think he's got a shot?

And a pro-choice Republican who isn't really big on God? He survives the primaries? HELLLLLO!!