I am, of course, referring to the fictional show "West Wing". I've spent the last week, while I'm taking time away, to watch through old shows - a bit like revisiting friends, and play some catchup as I watch through some of my favorites. By the time I was about finished with Season 5, I realized something: How is it that a completely fictional white house, with a requirement of network ratings and a need to sell to the public could act as a better bully pulpit for issues then the real thing? When the threat of cancellation or people drifting away can kill you, how is it that week after week a program like West Wing took chances all the way to the end (well, I thought and still do that S7 is a giant cop out) but through it all, took on issues from a very liberal standpoint... and we can't get a real politician to seemingly take it that seriously.
I know, I know.. TV isn't governing. And, as with all fiction, every behaves on their better angels and there isn't the kind of real rangling, dirt throwing, etc. that you see in the real world on TV, because that kind of slog would be boring.
I understand and grasp all of these things. Nor do I ever expect the real world to live up with a fantasy parable on TV. But what I find is that as I watch, I say to myself: This is the kind of thing that a lot of people thought they were getting.. and we didn't. Polished, incredible campaigner and stump speaker, an advocate of causes people could get behind.. and instead, we get a go-along.
What hits me while I watch this is the things I really miss from the Obama Whitehouse, a full-throated defense of policy, whether it's popular or not. An open ability to say: this is why I was voted here and by who.. and along with it a drive to change people's minds.
That's the biggest dissappointment I have this Christmas. Two years in, and it isn't a matter of switching the hardcore conservatives that's a losing battle. The issue is: where is the full throated demand of "Attack us on this, we're willing to fight that fight" Because right now, I'm struggling to remember when that really happened that it wasn't prefaced with a "but" or a caveat or a back out clause.
So, today, I will instead think about the conviction I wish could be found in government.
I'm reminded of my favorite moments events where I said to myself: I wish we could have this debate in the real world, every week.
It is laughable to have the expectations that this kind of dialog could happen in the real world, but I find myself wishing it could.
I find that it speaks to what I wish was true about the current administration. If nothing else, use the white house to attempt to set a tone; to speak with candor about issues, to hold to principles...
Ah, principles. Such a small thing.. I don't need to agree to the white house all of the time. I'm OK with taking a beating or a retreat from the white house on issues I care about. If only I woke up and said to myself: they may do many things, but they aren't going to betray their principles.. not my principles, not a phantom left principles.. their own, clearly articulated set of principles..
But as year two begins, I don't have a clue as to what those are. I wonder what makes a retreat? What makes a success?
Ah, I will enjoy my holidays.. and I'm sure there are lots of people who are busy watching "Miracle on 34th" and "It's a Wonderful Life". I guess I'll watch "Mr. Smith Goes to Washington" and "West Wing" and wish that sometime in my lifetime, I'll see politicians come back in style who run and win on the idea that they want to do something more then be elected again, and who don't worry about impressing me or their base with their stands and speeches but work with actions to represent what they believe - and what they wished we did too.
Happy Holidays to all.