The West Wing Television Show

             The popular television show The West Wing along with being very entertaining, shows many of the political procedures that occur in the Whitehouse. The show is based around Martin Sheen, the President of the United States, and the rest of the cast, which makes up his advisory committee and his cabinet. After watching a few episodes of the program I have realized how well the show reflects the interaction between the executive branch of the United States and the press, political action committees, and attempts to have legislation passed by congress. .

             The West Wing is primarily consists of problems which need to be solved by New Hampshire democrat Josiah Bartlet; The President of the United States. President Bartlet cannot solve all these problems on his own; he relies heavily on his staff. In one episode news had broke into the press about a piece of legislation that the president refused to have passed. It was a bill that mirrored that of affirmative action. C.J. Cregg, played by Allison Janey, is the president"s press secretary. She addresses the press before the President speaks at a conference. She is also involved in the briefing or coaching of President Bartlet. There are too many aspects of policy and procedure in which the press scrutinizes. The president counts on C.J. to help avoid a disaster publicly.

             Deputy Chief of Staff John Lymann, played by Bradley Whitford, is the man behind the scenes who helps strategize the president"s election and time while in office. He deals directly with many political action committees (PACs) that in the past had become large supporters of the president. In one episode the specific ness of political action committees was exaggerated. The president, in order to keep the campaign support and money from the PAC, was asked to meet wit the leaders of the wildlife federation PAC. This PAC was especially concerned with the migration patterns of a certain type of wild Canadian/northwestern wolves.

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