A quarter-century has passed since ‘The West Wing’ premiered, and the fictional White House drama has had a profound impact on how Americans view their political leaders and institutions. The show, which ran from 1999 to 2006, portrayed the presidency as a noble, intellectually stimulating, and morally uplifting endeavor. In reality, the presidency is often a messy, chaotic, and morally ambiguous endeavor. The show’s idealized portrayal of the presidency has set unrealistic expectations for the public, and has contributed to a growing cynicism and disillusionment with politics.
