We all know President-Elect Obama was the inspiration for President Matt Santos, but he will not be the only model for a West Wing character in the new administration.
According to Time and Us Magazine, new Chief of Staff Rahm Emanuel was the inspiration for Bartlet Deputy Cheif of Staff Joshua Lyman. While it means nothing substantial, for West Wing junkies as myself, this is an exciting revelation.
http://www.time.com/...
His brother, Ari, is a high-powered Hollywood agent and the basis for Jeremy Piven's character in the HBO series Entourage, Ari Gold. Emmanuel himself was the basis for the character played by Bradley Whitford in The West Wing: Deputy Chief of Staff Josh Lyman.
This is a really great get-to-know-you article on Emanuel, as well.
I found the same thing at Us Magazine, but I doubt this story should be credited to them.