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April 06, 2005
Need more election drama? 'West Wing' creates its own
by Dane Smith
Minneapolis Star Tribune
U.S. Rep. Matthew Santos goes into the Democratic National Convention tonight with a probable majority of Minnesota DFLers' support and is likely to win the presidential nomination, say legislators who have seldom missed an episode of "The West Wing."
"I definitely support Congressman Santos," a k a Jimmy Smits, said state Rep. Tony Sertich, DFL-Chisholm, who will be among the many Minnesotans watching tonight when "The West Wing" ends its sixth season with its own version of the DNC.
"The vision he has shown in talking about health care impresses me more than anyone else in the race," Sertich said of Smits' character. "He should have a majority of Minnesota Democrats."
Rep. Gene Pelowski, DFL-Winona, also rates Santos as his favorite and the best bet to win, owing to his "practical approach to education" instead of "testing students to death."
Although NBC's edgy White House drama has slipped from its former perch among the nation's most-watched series, it appeals to an educated and prosperous audience and has been renewed for a seventh season. The imminent departure and replacement of fictional President Jed Bartlet (Martin Sheen) has the program's devoted fans watching with extra anticipation.
Most of them appear to be Democrats or independents. Republicans, prone to dismiss the show as "The Left Wing," tend to view it as liberal propaganda.
" 'West Wing' is Hollywood bias personified," said Randy Wanke, a spokesman for the Center of the American Experiment, a conservative think tank in Minneapolis. "The show consistently carries the party line, and that rubs conservatives the wrong way. Plus, it's not as good as it used to be."
But even Wanke gives it a little credit. "Its only redeeming value is that, as simplistic as it is, hopefully it gets people more interested in politics. And hopefully it gets conservatives motivated."
Judging from conversations with West Wingers at the Capitol and from fan websites, there's more curiosity about next fall than tonight's nomination. There's almost a consensus that Santos/Smits is just too hunky to lose.
The bigger question is what happens when the show resumes next fall and California Sen. Arnold Vinick (Alan Alda) squares off against the Democratic nominee. Vinick already has the Republican nomination wrapped up, and last week he delivered a devastatingly effective acceptance speech, effusively praising the ailing and fast-declining Bartlet.
Some think Santos has to beat Vinick because of Smits' relative youth and superior star power. Others think elevating the moderate Republican to the presidency would give the show some ideological balance and a whole new set of situations and perspectives to explore.
Sertich thinks that it will be close and that Vinick is "a straight-talking moderate and will play well in Minnesota ... He's kind of a John McCain character." NBC officials say the presidential race will play out all fall and the winner won't be revealed until sometime around early November, when few states will be holding actual elections because it's an odd-numbered year.
Either way, Pelowski, who teaches advanced placement courses in government at Winona High School, intends to keep using "West Wing" videos to inspire his students. He says "The West Wing" is one reason why they are excelling at events such as the Model Legislature, an exercise that gives teenagers a chance to play the roles of elected officials.
One group of girls, inspired by the dialogue in a "West Wing" episode that Pelowski showed in his class, formed into a group called the Alpha Females and has been particularly active and motivated in civic activities.
"These episodes motivate students, especially when it ties into elections," Pelowski said.
Posted by Jo at April 6, 2005 03:29 PM