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Chief of Staff

LOS ANGELES, California (AP) -- John Spencer, who played a tough and dedicated politico on "The West Wing" who survived a serious illness to run for vice president, died of a heart attack Friday. He was 58.

I read this news a couple of days before Christmas, but haven’t had the chance to blog about until now.

I’ve been a big WEST WING fan ever since I saw “Isaac and Ishmael”, their special episode that dealt with what happened during 9/11. When the local stores started to bring in copies of the first two seasons of WEST WING, I got both sets.

John Spencer played Leo McGarry, the President’s Chief of Staff, in the show.
One of my favorite moments was a scene in the first season. President Bartlet was about to give the State of the Union address and he was talking to the Secretary of Agriculture in the Oval Office. From the adjoining room, Leo McGarry overheard this conversation:

President Josiah Bartlet: Roger, If anything happens, you know what to do, right?

Roger: I honestly hadn't thought about it, sir.

President Josiah Bartlet: First thing always is national security. Get your commanders together. Appoint Joint Chiefs, appoint a chairman. Take us to Defcon 4. Have the governors send emergency delegates to Washington. The assistant Attorney General is going to be the Acting A.G. (pause) You got a best friend?

Roger: Yes, sir.

President Josiah Bartlet: Is he smarter than you?

Roger: Yes, sir.

President Josiah Bartlet: Would you trust him with your life?

Roger: Yes, sir.

President Josiah Bartlet: That's your chief of staff.

And that’s what WEST WING was all about. Well, of course, it’s all about politics and I when I first heard about it, I thought it would be a boring show about politicians. It’s also about family and the best of friends, trying to do the country some good. It doesn’t always have a “happy ending”, but they always put up a good fight and they believe in what they’re fighting for.

Past two years, whenever the workload would bring me down and I get home around 2 or 3am, I pop in one of the WEST WING DVDs and “come home” to the White House and see people who are dedicated to the job and are willing to do anything to get the job done. It’s escapist to do so, I know. But it’s also… I don’t know… hopeful? Inspiring? Humbling? I also felt a bit envious of President Bartlet’s Senior Staff. It would be great to have a team like that.

(I’m babbling. Must be because one that one-pound burger I just ate.)

John Spencer will be missed in the corridors of the West Wing. May he rest in peace.

“Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has.” – Margaret Mead, US anthropologist

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