"West Wing" spoiler (don't read if you want to be surprised)

It's going to be Santos for the Democrats (Jimmy Smits) vs. Vinick for the Republicans (Alan Alda).

http://apnews.myway.com/article/20050122/D87PE5R01.html

The NBC drama is setting up a long-running story line in which Alda will run for president against a Democrat portrayed by Jimmy Smits. The winner will be inaugurated on "The West Wing" a year from now.

John Wells, the show's executive producer, said it has not been decided who will win. He said the show will resist an interactive game in which viewers decide the winner because the production schedule needs to be set too far in advance.

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"I would like another term," said Martin Sheen, who plays President Bartlet on the show. But that's not going to happen - Bartlet can't run again.

a fucking Republican better not win!!! They have taken just about everything from me, don't take my show

I bet the producers will error on not appearing to be "out of touch with the country", though in a nice twist they could have him steal the election. The 2002 Bartlett vs. Ritchie election was modeled after 1996--a modest Democratic landslide--so maybe 2006 could be modeled after 2000.

He has done the part so well.

The ratings would collapse and the show would be cancelled in a matter of weeks.

Why?

The base of the viewers are Democrats who would desert ther show en masse. And republicans would not tune in to replace them, because they have always regarded the show as left wing propoganda and will not trust it to treat a GOP president fairly.