West Wing: Vinick-Santos Debate Reaction
I tried to treat this as real as possible when I watched it, but overall it seemed very fake to me. Unfortunately, I think the "breaking from the rules" hurt it more than anything else. If they had done a similar style of debate that Bush and Kerry had, it would have seemed less canned.
Both candidates came off as being caricatures of their respective parties. Vinick is a tax-cutting Republican, Santos is a tax and spend liberal. The only thing the seperated either from party positions is that Santos is a gun owner (ammunition control is preposterous).
The foucus on domestic policy was interesting. No mention of defense, no mention of any values. Illegal immigration, education, healthcare, gun control, and energy were the only issues discussed (and excrpt for the first issue, all issues liberals poll well on).
Not surprisingly, Santos is polling 70-30 on who won the debate. Partially demographics, and partially writing on that one. I like Vinick, but the writers (who control the outcome) are showing it through a Santos lens. Hopefully the rest of the season is more like the previous episode.
I really don't care who wins as long as the new Chief of Staff does Big Block of Cheese Day.
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