WATCH The West Wing "Walk & Talk the Vote" ad here: http://www.youtube.com/...
How cool is this? The cast of The West Wing has reunited in a "Walk & Talk the Vote" ad that encourages voting in the nonpartisan section of the ballot, while also cleverly adding a plug for Michigan Supreme Court candidate Bridget Mary McCormack. If it's not the best campaign ad ever, it may very well be the coolest.
The online campaign ad has gone viral and still spreading like wild-fire across the internet. The sharp and quick dialogue, signature to The West Wing, is also layered with subtle humor and even some inside jokes.
But, aside from the promotion of McCormack's candidacy, the video sends an important message: Michiganders can vote for who they want to sit on their state Supreme Court-- but, sadly, anywhere between 25% to 40% of voters (depending on the election cycle) do NOT vote in this election. As The West Wing's Josh Lyman (played by Bradley Whitford) says, "it's a disaster, a catastrophe, a cataclysmic event..."
Sorkin-esque? Definitely (though he did not write this script). Too dramatic? Probably not. The current Michigan Supreme Court ranks as one of the least independent in the country, and has been given an 'F' in accountability and integrity by other studies. That is a crisis-- and today there is a crisis of public confidence in the Court.
People have to know they can change this trend on November 6, they can vote for fairness and integrity. And voters must know that if they vote a straight-party ticket, they have NOT voted for the Michigan Supreme Court candidates.
Help stop the voting drop-off: Find the nonpartisan section of the ballot, and fill it in for Bridget Mary McCormack. After all, she is the only candidate endorsed by President Jed Bartlet.