You Could Call It the Wonk Wing

NBC's hit White House series has become a national civics lesson

When the staff and actors of The West Wing TV show mingled with the staff of the real West Wing at last month's White House correspondents' dinner, it wasn't all just idle chatter. For instance, Gene Sperling, head of the National Economic Council and Washington's uber-wonk, sought out executive story editor Lawrence O'Donnell to talk about an episode involving the Federal Reserve chairman. Secretary of State Madeleine Albright marched up to Patrick Caddell, once the right hand of Jimmy Carter and now a consultant for the show, and told him how much she liked the India-Pakistan episode. "She said it was...

Want the full story?

Subscribe Now

Subscribe
Subscribe

Learn more about the benefits of being a TIME subscriber

If you are already a subscriber sign up — registration is free!