A Policy Student’s Reflection on The West Wing
Over 20 years later, The West Wing is still influential in shaping future policy leaders.
by A.C. Keesler and Evan Covello
The West Wing continues to mark generations of viewers years after it left the air in 2006. Thursday’s staged performance is evoking admirative memories, especially for those pursuing futures in public policy. The benefit to When We All Vote is a remake of season three episode “Hartsfield’s Landing” on HBO Max. For many Master of Public Policy candidates at the Duke University Sanford School of Public Policy, The West Wing has affected their perspectives on policy and influenced their paths for the future.
“When I watched it as a teenager and when I watch it now, I think [Bartlet’s argument with Dr. Jenna Jacobs over the virtues of the Bible] helped instill the value of not only being tolerant of other racial/sexual orientation/etc. groups, but of using your intellect and platform to be intolerant of bigotry and disrespect.”
Matthew Curtis, Class of 2022 MPP Candidate
The West Wing has provided aspiring policy leaders with lessons in leadership and decision-making. From grappling with the virtue of a proportional response in the situation room to compromising with Congress on appropriations bills, viewers confront political and moral dilemmas in every episode. The leadership exemplified by the Bartlet Administration through these events provides students with an opportunity to reimagine political leaders and government itself.
Preceding President Bartlet’s second State of The Union Address, Communications Director Toby Ziegler affirms: “Government, no matter what its failures in the past and in times to come... can be a place where people come together and where no one gets left behind.” The ability of government to bring people together serves as a central theme of the show, and also as a primary reason why it continues to attract policy-adept viewers.
“I was inspired by their imaginative solutions and reminded of the important role government plays in the livelihood of our nation.”
Lauren Hubbard, Class of 2024 Dual-Degree Duke MPP/UNC JD Candidate
Today, instead of tuning into inspiring policy discussions, students have grown accustomed to watching distasteful debates devoid of any substance. The growing dissemination of misinformation from the White House continues to spur severe distrust in government. As an alternative, The West Wing provides a heuristic for ideal governance, a model of an administration that students wish to serve.
Some journalists have criticized The West Wing for being an overly idealistic model of government citing that the most well-delivered argument does not always win. The end of an “episode” of real governance does not always leave “viewers” feeling inspired as it does on the show. While President Bartlet is oftentimes portrayed as an infallible leader, the show does in fact display the consequences of his actions.
President Bartlet accepted a congressional censure for his actions in not disclosing his multiple sclerosis to the public, and he suffered the tremendous guilt of not granting a stay of execution for a federal prisoner. Even the senior staff missteps at times, including conducting failed congressional negotiations and causing communications blunders. The Bartlet Administration experienced periods of frustrating inaction, culminating in Deputy Communications Director Sam Seaborn saying, “There are times when we are absolutely nowhere.” While the show will always be known for its uniquely optimistic spin on government, it is the challenges and defeats faced by the characters that remain fundamentally important for viewers to experience today, especially those wanting to work in policy.
Aspiring policy leaders yearn to work for a real-life President Bartlet and Chief of Staff Leo McGarry. But for students studying policy, it is equally important to focus on the characters outside of the Oval Office, such as the White House senior staff. From C.J. Cregg dismantling questions from reporters and Josh Lyman working Capitol Hill, to Toby Ziegler and Sam Seaborn crafting the White House’s message, they represent the next generation of leaders that today’s policy students aspire to become.
“The West Wing taught me that policy making is a deeply human endeavor, and that there is honor, community, and abiding joy in public service.”
Isabel Shapiro, Class of 2022 MPP Candidate
While The West Wing parallels the technical knowledge policy students study in school, it also gives a humanistic quality to policy that is not necessarily revealed through theory. The senior staff members face constant emotional pressures in negotiating policy for the country, reminding us that policymaking is a deeply human endeavor.
Through both successes and failures, The West Wing has made an undeniable impact on future policy leaders. For some, it has shaped their leadership styles. For others, it has inspired visions of a functional government and authentic policymakers. As the 2020 general election draws near, we remember President Bartlet’s closing remark at his Rosslyn town hall event: “Decisions are made by those who show up.”
Evan Covello is a first-year MPP student interested in the advancement of human capital and communities through public policy solutions. He is also a professional grant writer for municipal governments across the State of New Jersey.
A.C. Keesler is a first-year MPP candidate at Duke University, focusing on the intersection of health policy, social policy, and politics. At Sanford, she plans to focus on quantitative methods to analyze public health structures and programs around the US.
