by Shawna Blake

Created on: January 12, 2008

In 1999, Aaron Sorkin sought to change the way the world looked at politics by breathing life into a little drama entitled 'The West Wing', and allowing NBC to air what became one of the most critically acclaimed television show in years. The title of the show represented the idea that Sorkin had to follow the lives, or careers of the people that work directly under the President of the United States. He wanted to show the passion, the drive, the ambition and the heart that must go into running our Country, and what kind of man can be strong enough to work for the President. It was about all of the President's men.

The show begins centered on the President's Chief of Staff, Leo McGarry (Spencer), who has hold of the reins while the President is away. The actual President was only supposed to appear in an occasional episode. Until Jed Bartlet (Sheen) waltzed onto the screen at the end of the Pilot. We knew then that we were hooked. The show delves deep into every issue that concerns the average American from gun control to school uniforms, to military hostages in Kashmere. Who wouldn't love it? It is one of the few 'smart shows', by which I mean it runs above the average intelligence level of the normal viewer. I'm not saying that you need to be a member of Mensa to enjoy, but you may have to break out the dictionary a few times during your span of tuning in. But that is a good thing. The script from this show should be read right from our own thoughts, if only we paid more attention to the real issues. The show raises your awareness about all types of political issues and brings to the fore front the way that all kind of different people live.

President Bartlet has the biggest heart that you can imagine any man to have, let alone the leader of the free world. Martin breathes life into the character like no other man ever could. The reason this show lasted a mere seven seasons is for that sole reason; you never wanted another President after Bartlet. He won a Nobel Peace prize in Economics, was the Governor of his home state, New Hampshire, after he served a Congressman. He was a Professor of Economics at Dartmouth, attended Notre Dame and the London School of Economics. And he has been married to a world class Thoracic surgeon named Abbey (Channing) for about forty years now. That is quite an impressive resume. That and he and his brilliant wife are harboring a secret; he has Multiple Sclerosis, and nobody knows. You find yourself fighting for him, and the family

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