By Claudia Berger, 16, reporting from Great Barrington, Massachusetts, on a riveting old White House show's new relevance
With the inauguration of President Barack Obama less than a month ago (can you believe it?), more teens are becoming interested and active in politics. The West Wing—a TV series from the time when the country last had a Democrat in power—is a great look behind the scenes of the Oval Office and the everyday life of the president and those who work with him. With show consultants like Dee Dee Myers, President Clinton's former press secretary, we know that the situations are either based in reality or could presumably happen.
For true Obama enthusiasts, here is a little tip: Keep an eye on the character of Matt Santos, who just might remind you of someone in the news of late. And the entire presidential campaign in the show’s last season (which was shot in 2006) eerily mirrors this past one. Plus, the TV White House’s Bartlet administration was the first after a string of Republicans. Any of this ringing a bell? For anybody interested in politics, how the nation is run, or any form of public speaking, the West Wing is a must see. Plus, with cuties like Rob Lowe, Dulé Hill, and Bradley Whitford you can't really go wrong.