In my perusal of entertainment sites like "Ain't It Cool News," West Wing seems to be one of those shows like E.R. that everyone has seen but me. I've read enough reviews and synopses to form a theory that the show is popular as a fantasy outlet for frustrated Democrats who see a projection of their ideal administration, the "socialism with a heart" they've always been seeking, where the President is a wonderful Kennedy doppelganger, an environmental-masstransit-taxtherich-singlepayerhealthcare-economicdemocracy-affirmativeaction ultraliberal wonder without the nasty little personal habits, bald-faced lies, and southern Boss Hogg attitudes of their most recent officeholder.

No wonder the producer has to pump hallucinogens through the ruins of his mind to whomp this up.

Ah well, I suppose Republicans watch Tom Clancy movies for similar wish-fulfillment reasons.

I hear the latest episode involves an evil threat to override the President's veto of a bill abolishing the death tax. Gasp! Thank God the nation is safe in such hands.