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high minded conscience-haunted upgrade of the Clinton White House ... a version of Clintonism with both moral gravitas and political backbone. The series also highlights the bitterness
involved in partisan politics, showing the extremes to which some officials will go. In ‘A Good Day’ (6.17), Congressman Santos (Jimmy Smits), camps out on Capitol Hill with other Representatives to ensure that the bill he is supporting will pass. This partisanship bears resemblance to the recent determination of both parties, and the passing of the economic bailout package.
The Obama/Santos parallel The show humanises the often unseen members of the White House, presenting the aides, secretaries, and advisors as wholly dedicated to the President and his agenda. There are clear parallels between characters on the programme and their real-life counterparts. Most notably, the obvious parallel is between President Obama and President Santos. A young, charismatic candidate from an ethnic background takes on the established DC
workforce, whilst promising to change and heal America’s divides. Art is clearly imitating life! The fictional Santos opponent is also eerily similar to Obama’s opponent, John McCain. Arnold Vinick (Alan Alda) is an older Senator, battling to win the party’s conservative base. It is now widely known that The West Wing scriptwriters based the character of Santos on the politically ‘emerging’ Obama in early 2004. West Wing producer Eli Attie told The Guardian in 2006: When I had to write, Obama was just appearing on the national scene. He had done a great speech at the convention [which nominated John Kerry] and people were beginning to talk about him. The character and the inspiration later met
in September 2005, and the parallels have been dissected ever since.
The role of the First Lady There are also similarities between First Lady
Michelle Obama, and The West Wing’s ‘Lady- in-Chief,’ Abby Bartlet (Stockard Channing).Both are successful in their careers (law and medicine respectively), and both support particular causes, such as military families and women’s issues.
The character of Abby reflects the changing role of women, balancing the expectations of the traditional role with involvement in political issues. The First Lady ‘gained’ a new role as presidential advisor, most notably through the agendas of Nancy Reagan and Hillary Clinton, both determined to offer their political advice to their husbands. Abby Bartlet is consistent, pressing the President on the Congressional voting system and her support of the Violence Against Women Act, whilst also attending events expected of the more ‘traditional’ role. The programme highlights the issues faced by First Ladies in becoming too ‘close’ to a particular issue. For example, when Abby begins practicing medicine again, issues are raised by members of the Executive team. This draws similarities with Hillary Clinton’s drive to push through affordable healthcare, and the damage it did to her reputation.
Downplaying the role of
women The West Wing also presents a highly
provocative portrayal of the role of the female in the Executive branch. In earlier seasons,
english and media centre | December 2009 | MediaMagazine 47
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