I think the point is- he can't win in that district, it's too Republican. And if he TRIES in that district, he can't go anywhere else, because the U.S. system has a disdain for changing districts that, as I understand things, is not shared by the U.K. And it's not so much that if he loses once that's it; it's that…

I think one of the big failings of the series is how little we see from people who don't already agree with Bartlet. I mean, the series does not, for the most part, claim that everyone loves Bartlet, but we rarely get to put a face on his opposition, or really get to evaluate their arguments.

I think one of the big failings of the series is how little we see from people who don't already agree with Bartlet. I mean, the series does not, for the most part, claim that everyone loves Bartlet, but we rarely get to put a face on his opposition, or really get to evaluate their arguments.

Oh, I think so, at least in a generalized sense; Toby pegs Bartlet's conflict between wanting to win and doing the right thing in like, the fifth episode; "The Short List" is all about picking a SCOTUS judge who looks like a SCOTUS judge over a more complicated, but ultimately, better candidate; "Let Bartlet Be…

Oh, I think so, at least in a generalized sense; Toby pegs Bartlet's conflict between wanting to win and doing the right thing in like, the fifth episode; "The Short List" is all about picking a SCOTUS judge who looks like a SCOTUS judge over a more complicated, but ultimately, better candidate; "Let Bartlet Be…

The problem is, Sorkin was caught between wanting him to fill Sam's role on the series (young, idealistic, annoying Toby, lawyer) and distinguishing him as a character. Sorkin served neither master very well. Then he was gone before he could establish enough to hand off to later writers.

The problem is, Sorkin was caught between wanting him to fill Sam's role on the series (young, idealistic, annoying Toby, lawyer) and distinguishing him as a character. Sorkin served neither master very well. Then he was gone before he could establish enough to hand off to later writers.

Yeah, but the conflict wasn't really Bartlet v. Ritchie, it was the President of the United States v. Uncle Fluffy. So I'll let Ritchie's status as an empty-headed outside agitator slide.

Yeah, but the conflict wasn't really Bartlet v. Ritchie, it was the President of the United States v. Uncle Fluffy. So I'll let Ritchie's status as an empty-headed outside agitator slide.

Casey's reaction really makes it for me- "Did you know we could do that?"
"Every time I forget, something comes along to remind me."

Casey's reaction really makes it for me- "Did you know we could do that?"
"Every time I forget, something comes along to remind me."

I think it's a little fan wanky- or maybe just pol wanky- but it's not too bizarre; Bush won NH, and Gore lost his home state where HE was incredibly popular, and that was all just two years before this episode. Plus, NH is moderate for New England, with a pretty fierce anti-tax sentiment. You can put that altogether…

I think it's a little fan wanky- or maybe just pol wanky- but it's not too bizarre; Bush won NH, and Gore lost his home state where HE was incredibly popular, and that was all just two years before this episode. Plus, NH is moderate for New England, with a pretty fierce anti-tax sentiment. You can put that altogether…

I saw your comment earlier. I don't necessarily disagree (or, at least, my disagreement would be dramatically uninteresting), but it's not like I'm saying this was a flawless season, and I may even agree that Season 3 was better. Just that it's not such a significant step down that we need to point out how "weak" this…

I saw your comment earlier. I don't necessarily disagree (or, at least, my disagreement would be dramatically uninteresting), but it's not like I'm saying this was a flawless season, and I may even agree that Season 3 was better. Just that it's not such a significant step down that we need to point out how "weak" this…

That…pretty much convinces me. I'm going back to watching Baby Daddy!

That…pretty much convinces me. I'm going back to watching Baby Daddy!

I keep waiting for some meat to be put on the bones of the "P&R season 4 sucks in comparison to the previous seasons" argument, but so far, nothin'. It's actually IMPROVING my assessment of the season.

I keep waiting for some meat to be put on the bones of the "P&R season 4 sucks in comparison to the previous seasons" argument, but so far, nothin'. It's actually IMPROVING my assessment of the season.

Indeed. In fact, Leslie's actual issue positions were such a non-factor in the season that I couldn't name any besides the one that was just posted (I think she was pro-old people at some point?). Leslie was smart and hard working and bent over backwards for everyone in her life, while Bobby was checked-out, lazy, and…