A Republican's View of the West Wing

http://www.angelfire.comtv2/westwing0/
fushiginora@juno.com

Comming Soon: A Republican's View of the Hit TV Show In a nutshell, this page will hold all of my views on the politics, characters, and storylines of the West Wing- both positive and Negative. But alas, I have a ways to go before I post my opinions here. Right now all I have is my Overview. Enjoy. An Overview I guess you could say I am a glutton for punishment. To say that I not only like The West Wing, but also am mildly obsessed with the show is not something most stanch Republicans would like to admit. In my case, splashing this opinion all over a website for the whole world to see just makes me look like a sadist. Lets just say that at Republican Committee Meetings I carefully avoid the subject of liking the West Wing, or even watching it for that matter. However, if someone does ask me if I have seen the show, I tell them the truth. I explain that The West Wing is one of the best-written, well played, and well informed dramas on television today; and I never miss it. Rotten tomatoes being flung in my immediate direction usually follows this statement. Ok, not really. As if Republicans keep rotten tomatoes handy at all times! Nevertheless, I do get my share of dissension. Of course, I know that the show is very liberal, and in most cases, the Republicans look to be the evil-spawning, plot-hatching, bad guys. In Sorkin’s world, the ones causing Jed Bartlett and his staff extra headaches when the white house is in crisis, somehow always link back to conservatives. Instead, of me being the stereotypical Republican and fussing over the liberal content, I have come to terms that both parties are the same. No matter what party holds a seat in the White House or Congress, the opposing side is as they say - the opposing side. If everyone was made to act the same way and followed the same beliefs, we would not be were we are today, nor would we be American. In my life, I have never hated anyone who disagreed with me, or did not share my beliefs. In fact, I have done everything in my power to study and learn from as many people and cultures as possible. With me, politics is the same. Why do most Republicans not like the West Wing? Perhaps it is that hearing another viewpoint where they cannot fight back unnerves them a little. I can understand that. I mean, the West Wing is, in fact, a show and yelling at the TV only makes one look silly. But, by tuning out the West Wing, one truly misses a first class TV show. Since I was young I tried to absorb all I could about filmaking and animation. And in these years, I have learned to appreciate the time it takes to not only create a story, write dialogue, develop characters, understand humanity by creating conflicts and drama, but also putting those ideas onto film. To create a weekly TV show that combines all the technological aspects of a feature film makes every Wednesday seem like movie night. Martin Sheen, Rob Lowe, Bradley Whitford, Allison Janney, and the rest of the West Wing cast are such talented actors and actresses, that it seems easy to picture them actually working in the real White House. The dialogue and situations Aaron writes for the characters brings a depth to the show, and new life to the television drama. Ironicaly, I now enjoy the show being so liberal. It makes me understand the Democratic views better, and gives me more information on how to counter in case I do end up debating the issue with the opposing party. “Know thy Enemy.” is a phrase I use often when discussing politics. Learning about your opponent will only strengthen your case, and in the end will better equip you with the skills to come to a peaceful agreement. Speaking of political debates, I could not have more excited when Ainsley Hayes was brought into the show as the Republican Associate White House Counsel. I appreciated a strong female character that could hold her own against the political sharks that roam the White House Offices. Her dynamic with Sam Seaborn lightens the tension between the two opposing parties. All the while, their humorous banter serve as kind of a platform that Republican and Democratic views can bounce off of, leaving the viewer to decide which one they feel is most right or wrong. Also, the kinship that she has developed with several of the members of the White House staff makes for a better-rounded feel to the show. In essence, her presence has slightly tipped the scales back into focus for what the government works so hard to do, which is to work together. However, as the old saying goes, “It will take an Act of Congress to get anything done around here," and there will always be some truth to that statement. As for Aaron Sorkin's writing, why expect him to push Republican Ideals? This is a free country and if and NBC and Warner Bros. agree that his scripts are to be made into a fictitious ensemble of characters who portray an American presidency, that is their right. For me or anyone else to expect him to do otherwise would be wrong. It would be like me telling John Gresham to stop writing about court stories, or Steven King to write children’s novels because his horror books displease me. (Which is so not the case!) I am the one who has the choice watch the NBC show, or ignore it. In reflection, my High School Government teacher once told me, “You are free to swing your fist in this country, as long as you don’t hit anyone.” That phrase has been with me ever since. However, this teacher and I went around the bend on numerous occasions since she and I were on opposing parties. Part of her humor was to always call the class GOP the “Right Wing." In fact, the class ratio was about nine Republicans to 27 Democrats, and truth was, but not intentionally, all of us except one sat on the right side of the classroom. This in turn led the rest of the class to refer to each other as "the other side of the isle", because indeed the desk arrangement in the classroom was divided into two halves. Eventually, the battle between my teacher and I led to a solid respect and friendship with each other. Even after all of our debates she told me at the end of the year that she thoroughly enjoyed me in her class. Furthermore, that is why I enjoy the fact that Aaron Sorkin is “in my class” if you will. I enjoy the fresh idea of a show about politics. I applaud the fact that The West Wing has brought more people closer to understanding their government and what it takes to run a country. Being involved in politics is never a bad thing. Whether you are a Democrat or Republican, you have taken a stand. You have said, “Yes! I care about the country I live in, and want to know more. I want to become more involved in deciding who will make the right choices about my future. Most of all, I want to make sure my voice is heard and that my vote matters.” Thank you for visiting my page at Angelfire. Please come back and visit again!