It was bound to happen.
It was simply too dangerous to juxtapose the noble, intelligent, charismatic, fundamentally decent Josiah Bartlet against real flesh-and-blood pols, especially in a year which will in all likelihood be an election year not only in the US but Canada as well.
In fact, it almost seems cruel to compare Jed Bartlet, who as a fictional character need never fall, to the two American candidates. George W. Bush is seen, fairly or unfairly, as dumb, something Jed is manifestly not. On the other hand, Al Gore is seen, fairly or unfairly, as rigid and cold, things which the chili-cooking, warm, impulsive Barlet is also not.
So it comes as little surprise that the man who exists only on paper and who has the talented Aaron Sorkin to pre-write all his dialogue for him has actually led both real candidates in some polls. And it's no surprise at all that according to the New York Times, "Bartlet for President" bumper stickers have been spotted in Los Angeles.
How many write-in votes Josiah Bartlet or Martin Sheen will actually get in the November election is something we'll probably never know. It's doubtless, though, that hundreds if not thousands may write in the name as a wistful plea for the type of leadership which the fictional President Bartlet would offer. It's unfortunate, because it's something that Jed Bartlet himself would probably frown on mightily; he'd likely consider it throwing away one's precious franchise for no good reason. Nevertheless, it's going to happen.
In Canada, the next few days will probably yield an election call (unlike the US, Canadian elections are not held in pre-determined years; they are instead called at the Prime Minister's discretion sometime during his four-year term). The Canadian election season, from the calling of the election to the event itself, lasts only thirty-six days, but already Canadians seem less than enthusiastic about their candidates. Once again, it's difficult not to compare Josiah's compassion and strong leadership with the perceived lack of direction by Jean Chretien or Joe Clark, his compassion with the alleged right-wing exclusion of Stockwell Day, and his presence with the invisibility of poor, beleagured Alexa McDonough.
"Bartlet for Prime Minister" - look for them soon at a bumper sticker emporium near you.
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