The West Wing's Portrayal Of Political Staffers

[CM-BlueButterfly]

What is your favorite part about how The West Wing portrayed political staffers? (eg, is it their relatability, their dynamic, their realism or lack thereof etc)

[Sarah 103]

I would say their dynamic and the way they had each other's backs. It was very much "No one can hit/tease my sibling expect me." 

[Bastet]

Their intelligence and passion being so undeniable their flaws were not as aggravating as they otherwise would have been.  Their real-life counterparts pretty much all say that while they now make a lot more money and for a lot fewer hours worked in the private sector, they never loved their work more than during their time as staffers, and the show really captured that.  In a time, even then, when politics was so disparaged, this was a love letter to it as public service.

[Orcinus orca]

On 9/23/2024 at 12:45 AM, Bastet said:

Their real-life counterparts pretty much all say that while they now make a lot more money and for a lot fewer hours worked in the private sector, they never loved their work more than during their time as staffers, and the show really captured that. 

Jenny: "I don't want to live like this. I just can't....
Leo" "This is the most important thing I'll ever do, Jenny. I have to do it well."
Jenny: "It's not more important than your marriage."
Leo: "It is more important than my marriage, right now. These few years while I'm doing this, yes, it's more important than my marriage."

Edited September 26, 2024 by Orcinus orca

[jschoolgirl]

On 9/23/2024 at 12:45 AM, Bastet said:

Their intelligence and passion being so undeniable their flaws were not as aggravating as they otherwise would have been.  Their real-life counterparts pretty much all say that while they now make a lot more money and for a lot fewer hours worked in the private sector, they never loved their work more than during their time as staffers, and the show really captured that.  In a time, even then, when politics was so disparaged, this was a love letter to it as public service.

I was an administration political staffer, and I wholeheartedly agree!