TVSquad

I think it really did hinge on the death of John Spencer. Had he still been alive, I (a life-long Democrat of moderate to liberal leanings) would have preferred that Vinick win. It would have made for a more memorable end for the series in much the same way as happened with 'The Mary Tyler Moore Show'.

But with Spencer gone, [and for necessity's sake, with Leo also gone], there's more drama to be found now heading towards the finale in the search for a new Vice President. With a Vinick win, the ramifications of Leo's death really end with Election night (well, also with next week's funeral).

So I would have preferred a Vinick win, but I understand this is the way they had to go. All I want is that the end will stand the test of the great finales.

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A Vinick win is far more realistic, a Republican moderate winning California after 8 years of a Democratic Presidency? This blows away all conventional wisdom.

I think Vinick should have won after they decided to end the show. A continuing show should've hinged on a Santos presidency, because the liberal writers could've worked better with it.

But really, there is no way a 2 term Congressman beats a moderate Republican who won California.

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i was quite dissapointed with the Santos loss. And although I am a fan of O' Donnel's I am dissapointed to see that he thinks us viewers couldnt handle the death of Leo and the loss of Santos. Are we such pussies that we cant deal with it???

I always thought an 8th season with a President Vinnick would have been interesting...(and I am a Democrat)

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After reading this, I think this blog might be the site to start the following conversation:

In todays world of DVRs included with Cable and Satellite services, how soon is too soon to discuss spoilers from a TV show without LABELING IT A SPOILER! =)

Yes, I know you are just commenting on a new york times article, but, still, I feel robbed. And peeved.

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To Peeved: Unless I am not mistaken, the episode summary for "Election Day Part II" has already posted, and as this is a *TV* site reporting on television happenings, I don't think a "spoiler" comment is warranted. Just my opinion.

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Sorry, Peeved, I'm with Penguin. I also live and die by my TiVo, but I know that sometimes I need to avoid TVSquad, and some of my other regular TV Sites out there when I haven't seen a show I don't want to be spoiled on.

As far as a Vinick win, I wouldn't have minded him winning, but only if a couple of conditions would be met. I wouldn't really be interested in seeing a bunch of Vinick transition stuff. I would have wanted more focus on the characters that we have invested in over the years. I would not have wanted to see Vinick win if the show continued either.

I'm also really surprised at the article. Seriously, if you look at the focus on Santos and the focus on Vinick in the episodes at the beginning of the season and up to John Spencer's passing, I wouldn't have thought a Vinick win possible.

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I am actually happier this way, although even more annoyed that the show is ending. It also seems that a) if Spencer had died BUT the show was renewed, Santos would have still won, as it's the ony way for the show to keep characters like Josh, Donna and Kate Harper around and not have to completely re-tool the cast. The first 2 because they were campaign staff and Kate because she was involved in the build-up to the war. I for one, as a VERY left-wing dem would not have watched a republican white house on this show with an all new cast.

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"Unless I am not mistaken, the episode summary for "Election Day Part II" has already posted, and as this is a *TV* site reporting on television happenings, I don't think a "spoiler" comment is warranted."

Right, and I dutifully skipped the episode summary since I hadn't seen it yet. But the post for the summary wasn't titled 'Hey, Santos Wins!' it was the title of the episode. And I can avoid posts that are obviously about the show I haven't watched yet when I read the title of the post. But, when the title of the post *is* the spoiler, it is impossible to avoid.

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Vinick should have won, Leo's death or not. This is the final season of the West Wing. Yes I would have felt sorry for Josh and all the other characters I've been following for years, but a republican transition would have better finalised it. A Vinick win would have been more realistic anyway as others have pointed out.

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Everyone is missing the obvious. There is a seat open for VP. And that's going to be offered by Santos to Vinnick. Best of both worlds here. Santos as POTUS and Vinnick as VP. I will guarentee that this will happen within the next three eps. Probably not this week because it's Leo's funeral, but this would make everyone happy.

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I thought I was going to be brilliant and reveal the sure ending...but Jefferson beat me to it. Santos picks Vinnick -- a moderate and principled Republican who we already know has enough dignity, grace, and sense of selflessness not to challenge the razor-thin electoral results -- as VP. Then we get to enjoy at least one more season sorting out the transition with the best of both staffs retained, Santos and Vinnick having to adjust, modify, and compromise -- all for the good of the country. And best of all, the fantasy of a White House where intelligent, articulate people actually live and work.

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Considering the show had Democratic Liberal leaning why in the world would they even thing to have a conserative Republican win? The fan base has obviously been the same through out the years and changing all the characters and leanings would have meant that the entire fan base would have changed. Whoever wrote that story probably made up the facts just to start a blog like this. Why would they want to change the entire cast this late in the show if there indeed had been another season. After Arron Sorkin left the show started it's downhill spiral because the formula had changed and that is the reason why we no longer have my favorite show. Having Vinik win would have been a cheesy ending for a great show.

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Really now...if you have a president of one party and a VP from another nothing would ever get accomplished (although that might be better than things that are getting accomplished now)! Santos needed to win--especially as a Latino. Too bad it's going off the air as the first Latino president would make for lots of good new and innovative story lines. This has always been one of my favorite programs.

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First, I'm upset that West Wing is ending, regardless of who's president. Second, I was getting tired of hearing people call it "The Left Wing." I tried to explain that the /show/ wasn't so liberal, just the actor who plays the president. I think they've done a good job of showing us how the political process works, how both parties have their points, and how it's easier to be sure about what's right from the cheap seats we voters enjoy.

That said, I think it would have been beautiful to follow up a moderate Democrat with a moderate Republican. Especially if that president is played by Alan Alda, who is one of my all-time favorite actors and almost impossible not to like in any role he plays. One of the hallmarks of West Wing has been that you really like the president, even when he's wrong. That's why I call this genre "political fantasy."

I think the cast could have been just fine with a Vinnick presidency; some would have to go, but I could honestly see someone like Vinnick keeping good people on in the jobs they fill so well, so Josh, et. al. don't need to be unemployed. Besides, Patricia Richardson and Stephen Root are top-notch enough to carry a new cast, not to mention Bruno and that fundamentalist chick. It would be fun to watch how the Republican enslavement to the religious right might play out if we had a president who didn't want to be enslaved. (And this from a church-going Christian.)

From a practical side, a mostly-new cast would have had lower salaries, the show would have become cheaper to produce, and it might have stayed on the air. Wonder if the WB/UPN merger might pick it up? One can only dream.

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I agree with Jefferson(apr 11th 2006)we're missing the obvious Santos wins and offers Vinnick the VP. would be a great ending. what a hoot!

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I agree with Jefferson(apr 11th 2006)we're missing the obvious Santos wins and offers Vinnick the VP. would be a great ending. what a hoot!

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I was very disappointed, but not surprised, by the Santos win. The writing on the show this past year has been average at best, and the story lines have been predictable. When John Spencer passed away, it was obvious to me that the writers were going to let Santos win. It would have made for a more memorable ending to the show to let Vinick win and show us some of the transition to the Republician President. Now the next few episodes will be just a farewell run. A sad ending to a great show.

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Thank goodness a Democrat won if even on a television program.

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I would like to see the show continue, with Matt Santos doing as Bartlett did the first season--feeling his way into the job, gettng accustomed to the new level of responsibility. As for a VP, how about CJ Craig! The idea of introducing a well experienced woman to the vice presidential spot would make for very interesting political drama! I did not expect her to cut the mustard as Chief of Staff, but she did.

This show has changed my ideas about what television can accomplish. I hate to see it end.
Katherine

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How about Santos picking Vinnick for Vice President? The story could go on and on.

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