If you are a political junkie, and I am, then last night’s live “debate” between the Republican and Democratic “candidates” on The West Wing was made just for you.  Kudos should go to NBC for giving the show a real debate-like feel, completed with a NBC News/MSNBC logo in the bottom right-hand corner of the screen.  Kudos also to Forrest Sawyer.  For a news reporter he turned out to be a good actor and deserving of an Emmy nomination for Best Guest Performance. 

If you’re an issues junkie, and once again I am, then this was also the show for you.  Republican or Democrat, you got to here thoughtful answers from each candidate.  The only quibble I would have is that Alda’s “Vinick” character came off sounding much better than Smits’ “Santos.”  The Santos responses were more emotional and less thought out than Vinick’s; although, he did get in several good responses to some of the more Conservative ideas.  I especially like his response to the idea of being a Liberal — if only Democrats in real life could be this good.  I was disappointed the issue of abortion didn’t come up, but they did an entire show on it last week and the character’s stances are pretty much in agreement.

If this was a real debate, I would have to say the Republican candidate came out on top, but you can go to a special NBC site to cast your own vote on the winner.  The last time I looked, 70% felt Santos has one and I think that pretty much sums up the breakdown of political ideology for West Wing viewers, so no surprise there.