"So when you try to hurl the word 'liberal' at my feet, as if it were dirty, something to run away from, something that I should be ashamed of, it won't work, Senator, because I will pick up that label and wear it as a badge of honor."
ORIGINAL AIRDATE: 6th November 2005
EPISODE NUMBER: Season 7, Episode 7
WRITTEN BY: Laurence O'Donnell Jr
The Debate was a special live episode of The West Wing that mimics the real live Presidential debates. They really couldn't have chosen a better subject matter. It's that air of authenticity that is it's biggest asset - it feels like a real debate.
For one night only, Presidential candidates Matt Santos and Arnold Vinick are put under the spotlight to answer questions from the public. The two actors prove more than capable of carrying the episode on their own. They tackle issues like immigration, education, taxes, healthcare and jobs. They're able to cover more ground than any other West Wing episode.
Alan Alda and Jimmy Smits both have a history on Broadway, and so the two actors are well in their element with the small-scale, one-take nature of the show. With the focus on the performance, they create some great scenes. The Debate keeps it simple, and watching the two Politicians spar enthusiastically is a lot of fun. It's like a tennis match, with the debate very even between both sides.
Although it may only be fiction and the fate of the country is not at stake, I guarantee this episode is as entertaining as anything Obama and Romney can produce in this campaign.
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