I’ve only recently discovered The West Wing and I’m so completely absorbed in it, it’s a little alarming. Good grief, it’s good! And yes, I know I’m slow, okay? I’m only part of the way through Season 3 and I have to say, it gives me enormous pleasure to think there are seven seasons in total.
There are so many things I’m relishing about this show, but one of them is something that may not occur to you folks Over There. For an Aussie like me, who is not really familiar with the extraordinary complexities of the American political system, it’s a pretty painless way to learn. I’m fascinated by the wheeling and dealing, the checks and balances, the decision making, the lobbying, the polling, the strategising and spin-doctoring. Together with the whole Obama/Clinton race - which was actually, um, real - it’s proving to be quite an education.
Not long ago, I read a biography of Kevin Rudd, who is the recently elected (November last year) Prime Minister of Australia. At the time of publication, he was still only Opposition Leader, but - lo and behold! - the wheeling and dealing, the numbers game, was essentially the same. I can see it’s inevitable, the way politics works, the way politics has always worked, right from ancient times. I’m sure Pericles and Augustus had closed door meetings during which others in power, and those aspiring to it, asked the vital question - “If I give you my support, what’s in it for me/my people?”
The differences between the two offices, President and Prime Minister, are huge. (Not talking about incumbents here.) The office of PM here has the somewhat guarded respect of the nation, but the formality, the pomp, of the Oval Office is missing.
I’m not much of a political animal, I admit. I’m still left of centre, as I always have been, but sadly, I’m pretty cynical about the whole process these days. I do have a plot in my head for a contemporary romantic comedy though, set in the US somewhere and it requires the machinations of a corrupt Senator - also from somewhere. I wonder if I’ve learned enough from watching three seasons of The West Wing to write it? *snort* Scary thought, isn’t it?
Is politics an important part of your life, personally? Here in Australia, voting is compulsory, but I wouldn’t dream of not doing it anyway.
If you watched The West Wing, what did you like about it? Why do you think it rated so well with the American public? I love the tight writing (of course), the sharp, clever dialogue. In fact, all the characters are so very clever, aren’t they? The character development is great. I like CJ, though I imagine I would come up to her elegant knee. I also really enjoy Toby. Richard Schiff does a great job. And then there’s Leo, and Donna… Oh well, they’re all great.
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Hey denise,
I think I may have inadvertantly seen that show one night years ago when I had a flu. (Sorry not a big fan of the ‘idiot box’) Although going by our governments of past and present, I think once you get the deceit, corruption, petty antics, role playing, scheming and lying to the public down pat, you’ll be right with your book. (LOL) Go for it!
Cheers Maryde
Oh, sorry…don’t forget to kiss the baby’s head!
I am fascinated by politics and have always been interested in the whole voting compulsory/not thing. I’ve heard commentators (probably Oprah) say that making voting voluntary means that the people who don’t vote are the poorer, under represented sections of the community — who then have no say in the way things are run because they don’t vote and continue to be under represented. A vicious cycle. Here voting is compulsory but what I think keeps the status quo fairly entrenched is our apathy to the political process. We think one PM is the same as another and that we only have a two party option, which is not true. This being said, I respect anyone’s right to say they don’t want to vote, or to put in a blank ballot paper, just as I have to respect a person’s right to vote the opposite way that I do. That’s democracy. Even a no vote is a vote, if you know what I mean. There is no such thing as neutrality, to contradict the Swiss folk.
I’ll stop before this becomes a rant. I did say I’m interested in politics! As for the West Wing, I think it’s a great show but I never got into it because they were always changing the viewing time. The dialogue was great and the moral dilemmas thought provoking. Hope you enjoy the rest of it.
Snap! My son recommended The West Wing so much, I just went out and bought Series 1. He actually had the entire series, watched them and then sold them on eBay, regretted it, and bought them back! Now he’s still watching them and this time says he’s going to hang onto them. Somehow, I don’t think I’m going to be able to stop at ‘just one’ series…
Mary, I watch no TV, basically. I’d usually rather read. The shows I’m interested in are on at the wrong time, or I forget about them until it’s too late. But I’ve recently discovered the joys of DVDs and the video shop. Let’s just say I’m a late adopter.
Hi Sami. I guess one of the most interesting thing for me is the insight into the American psyche, even if it is skewed towards a small l liberal point of view. There are so many cultural differences.
As for the cynicism, I’ve done a good deal of history in my time and one thing that is abundantly clear to me is that opposition is all very well, but the exercise of power in government requires what are often uncomfortable moral compromises. It can’t be easy to preserve your principles, I think. That’s part of what I like about The West Wing, though it was criticised for being optimistic, even naive in its outlook. Fascinating stuff.
Malvina, I’m not surprised your son bought them back, nor that you want to go on. It’s addictive, isn’t it? And Mark Harmon has just arrived as CJ’s bodyguard. Oh boy! *rubs hands in glee* Can’t wait to see what happens next!
Hi D! I’m not a political animal, though I suffered through a subject on government in my law degree. I wish it were a more respected and respectable arena because we really need people with integrity in the top jobs, don’t we? Everything that comes out of our politicians’ mouths sounds like a prewritten sound bite for television. And why do they have to say things three times? I hate that. I hate being treated like an idiot.
Hey Christine, my friend! You are so completely right - which is why I find the concept of “spin” dangerously close to what some call “weasel words”. Vocabulary is so important, isn’t it? There’s a big difference between “terrorist” and “freedom fighter”. Even though the terms could apply to the same people. I purely loathe being manipulated and treated like a fool, but the scary part is that it seems to work on enough people to make it worth doing. *sigh*
I believe strongly in watching politicians and voting: Voting is the duty that fuels all your rights. If you haven’t voted, you have no right to complain and be anything but a sheep. (Not feel passionate about it? Hmmm.) That said, I find most politicians are lying cheating thieves. The point is not to find one to vote for (virtually impossible in most cases) but to identify WHO YOU DO NOT WANT IN POWER FOR LOVE OR MONEY. That’s the chap or lady you vote against. This has been my principle, cynical but effective for voting in any country. I have enjoyed lots of West Wing, but think that the best-ever, effective in any culture, political commentary was Yes, Minister and Yes, Prime Minister.
Susan, I actually believe that people with integrity do go into politics, people who genuinely desire to work for the public good. What bothers me is what compromises they have to make to stay there. I hate to think, for example, about big business “owning” certain politicians, but in most countries, you need serious money to put your hand up for the top jobs.
It’s a shocking indictment of the system when a voter has to think about who they want to keep OUT. How much better it is to use one’s vote in a positive way. That’s how I try to use mine, though I fear at heart, I’m still pretty cynical. *sigh*
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