I'm Pete du Pont with the National Center for Policy Analysis, and I have a confession to make. It concerns television, and a show I like. Don't worry, it's not MTV. I haven't completely lost my mind. But some might consider this admission almost as bad.
I like – dare i say it? – The West Wing.
Yep, a show about democrats in the White House with professional liberal Martin Sheen as a wonderful president.
There, I said it.
But let me also say that it's smartly written, and has the best ensemble cast since Homicide. But mainly, despite the show's overall liberal leanings, the writers never let us forget the real world is close by. The president's advisers regularly shoot down leftwing legislation for often cold-bloodedly political (and sometimes even philosophical) reasons. The president's Chief of Staff is a Vietnam vet who's passionate for missile defense. The political give-and-take sometimes verges on left-of-center self-congratulation, but just as often on the practical realities of governing. Sometimes they win, sometimes they lose. But they're always interesting to watch.
Those are my ideas, and at the NCPA we know ideas can change the world. I'm Pete du Pont. Next time, the Bush energy plan's payoff.