OPINION: Summer's coolest read: 'The West Wing' revisited

Aug. 22—In a season of anxiety, fear and considerable loathing, two actors have supplied a diversion.

Melissa Fitzgerald and Mary McCormack have written a book about the politics of hope. At almost 600 pages, it crackles along like an express train.

The authors tell a truthful story about a fictional U.S. president and his top aides. What's Next: A Backstage Pass to The West Wing covers the genesis, casting and seven seasons of one of the better television shows in history.

I seldom mention new books in my column. But with the presidential election looming, and Republican nominee Donald Trump already having tried once to overthrow democracy, a detailed account of The West Wing serves as a reminder of what professional politics should be and maybe still could be.

Aaron Sorkin created and then wrote much of the series, which originally aired on NBC from 1999 to 2006. He admits being skeptical of his own idea and terrified about pitching The West Wing as a weekly series.

"Shows about politics didn't work," Sorkin states in the book's foreword. "Moreover, in popular culture our leaders are portrayed as either Machiavellian or complete dolts."

He crafted characters for The West Wing who, in his words, were "hyper-competent and dedicated." They also were flawed, often troubled and overworked. Most of all, they believed in public service, and they performed difficult, demanding jobs rather well.

The book's authors had roles on The West Wing. Fitzgerald portrayed an assistant to smooth, powerhouse press secretary C.J. Cregg (actor Allison Janney). McCormack's role was as a deputy national security adviser.

Both writers revere the show's leader, Martin Sheen. He played their boss, President Josiah "Jed" Bartlet.

Sheen, the authors state, was always kind, forever a gentleman. He welcomed everyone who was part of the show and was rankled that some were called "extras." Sheen believed everyone was integral to The West Wing's success. He had all the leadership qualities a good president possesses, even if he only played one on TV.

Hearing President Bartlet called Jed was one of the few parts of The West Wing's writing that clanked. Baby boomers had watched Jed Clampett, hayseed honcho of The Beverly Hillbillies. President Jed Barlet was a Nobel laureate in economics who had been a three-term congressman and a two-term governor of New Hampshire.

Bartlet was a charismatic, better-looking version of Michael Dukakis, a real-life governor of Massachusetts who unsuccessfully ran for president in 1988.

One of the terrific early moments of the series seemed to reference Dukakis.

"The Democrats aren't gonna nominate another liberal, academic former governor from New England. I mean, we're dumb, but we're not that dumb," says West Wing political ace Josh Lyman, portrayed by Bradley Whitford.

The late, great John Spencer, as brainy strategist Leo McGarry, replied: "Nah, I think we're exactly that dumb."

McGarry had encyclopedic knowledge of government, especially Congress. Its wackos, realists and conscientious public servants were all familiar to him, possibly because he never took a day off.

McGarry was a brilliant figure on a smart show. President Bartlet said so in hiring McGarry as his top assistant.

"You got a best friend? Is he smarter than you? Would you trust him with your life? That's your chief of staff," Bartlet said.

The West Wing was thought-provoking and entertaining all at once. In one episode, Democrat Barlet temporarily surrendered the presidency during a family crisis. He invoked the 25th Amendment, elevating a Republican who was speaker of the House of Representatives to acting president.

Would anyone with an ego large enough to pursue the presidency give up that power to the rival party, even for a short while? I doubt it, but Bartlet almost always put country above personal ambition.

The exception was when Bartlet belatedly revealed he won election as president without disclosing he'd been diagnosed with multiple sclerosis. His aides were stunned. One was enraged.

This storyline resembled John F. Kennedy's deception of 1960, when he lied about having Addison's disease during his successful run for the White House.

Fitzgerald and McCormack titled their book based on one of Bartlet's catch phrases. "What's next?" was what he said to terminate a debate or discussion with his staff. Every underling learned not to persist if the president spoke those words.

But like Sheen in real life, Bartlet was a benevolent boss. He didn't demand deference.

With Sheen heading an ensemble cast, The West Wing was riveting, addictive, idealistic. Some people say the show inspired them to enter public service.

Fitzgerald and McCormack worked on their book for four years. Chock-full of interviews and inside details about the show, it was published 10 days ago by Penguin Random House.

The timing is right. In a country about to pick a president, the fictional West Wing sets a higher bar than any reality show.

Ringside Seat is an opinion column about people, politics and news. Contact Milan Simonich at [email protected] or 505-986-3080.