For a "live" debate, it ended suspiciously close to the appointed time. Knowing that the lines had to have been scripted ahead of time, I find myself a little disappointed that suspending the debate rules didn't result in more high oratory. Each candidate had his moments of eloquence, but for the most part it was a catfight. The lack of Aaron Sorkin's writing skills really shows.

You probably want to know who won, but I can't pass judgment. Both were eloquent, as noted, and both got rocked back on his heels and looked awkward and uncertain at times. Vinnic had a tendency to get locked into his tax-cut mantra, and Santos his "Education President" rap.

It's a long shot, but it'd be cool if they figured out a plot twist that resulted in the two of them taking office, probably Vinnic as President, Santos as VP. This whole election story arc has been about two worthy candidates, including grudging respect from the familiar Democratic cast.

That brings up the position of The West Wing in popular culture. The Right has pretty much boycotted the series, outraged that it portrays a Democratic administration rather than a Republican one. I think there's also a presumption, based on nothing more than traditional paranoia, that the series disses Republicans.

There's no question that a series about the inside of a Democratic White House is going to show the characters opposed to Republicans. And there have been formulaic insults and cliche putdowns...but to a realistic degree given the characters. The show is definitely not anti-Republican. Instead, there have been many occasions when it's portrayed Republicans in a sympathetic light. I remember in particular one scene between Josh and a gay Republican Congressman, in which Jose was incredulous that a gay man would be allied with "those people"; and the Congressman set him straight, explaining that it was a matter of principle, agreeing with 90% of the Republican platform, and a willingness to hold his nose over the repugnant 10%.

So that's why I find the prospect intriguing that the show will reverse polarity and have Vinnic elected. I think the odds are greater than 50/50--not because of the debate outcome, which wasn't clear to me, but to serve the needs of the show.

Leading to the $64,000 question: Will Republicans remove the stick and watch a West Wing about a Republican White House?