i think we would always like to think we are voting for good people and the other guys are monsters, the truth is probably somewhere between the two extremes.
The west wing occasionally scared me because it showed (imo convincingly) that even apparently talented and committed people running the most powerful country can get almost nothing achieved other than running to stand still and reacting to events as they happen.
Not in the least. I've changed my mind on a number of issues after watching that show (and not all in a single political direction either). If someone presents a cogent argument, the fact that it's in a TV show is irrelevant.
Now, wanting to vote Democrat because you think Jed Bartlett is a real person, now that would be worrying!
On a more serious note, everything I've learnt about the american political system has pretty much come from the West Wing. It seems to be roughly about right, system wise. Fantastical politicians... not so much. More's the pity.
Though they did base Santos on Obama, so time may yet tell.
im now always very impressed when they get martin sheen on to talk about something - oo look the president ... oh, wait
The west wing occasionally scared me because it showed (imo convincingly) that even apparently talented and committed people running the most powerful country can get almost nothing achieved other than running to stand still and reacting to events as they happen.
Now, wanting to vote Democrat because you think Jed Bartlett is a real person, now that would be worrying!
On a more serious note, everything I've learnt about the american political system has pretty much come from the West Wing. It seems to be roughly about right, system wise. Fantastical politicians... not so much. More's the pity.
Though they did base Santos on Obama, so time may yet tell.