I think you are a very talented writer.  Husband and I have been watching seasons of the West Wing over the past few weeks and have enjoyed the stories.  It is nice to imagine a president that is smart and understands grammar.  It is nice to imagine a country in which leaders are concerned about governing.  It is nice to imagine a government working in the interest of the people.  

I have a critique.  Well, a complaint, really.  You forgot about women.  Not only did you forget about them, you sexually harassed them.  I give you credit in recognizing that liberal governments are pro-women except when it means not sexually harassing them or focusing on their looks rather then their resume.  Ahem,  the New York Times. That even in a liberal White House, men are free to comment on the bodies of their peers without reprimand or shame.  This happens in the real world.  I know that it does.  Reflecting this in your portrayal of politics is fine.  But painting the women in the series as accepting or appreciative of the commentary is ridiculous.  The problem is you treat this kind of harassment as welcomed by women.  I can assure you it is not.  Do some women welcome commentary on their bodies?  Yes, I’m sure some women do.  But that does not make it feminism and it absolutely oppresses women.  Would you make similar comments in terms or race or religion?  Would that be acceptable?  Yet, it’s acceptable when referring to women and has the added benefit of being feminist?  As a writer, I’m sure you are aware of the power of words and the media.  It is your livelihood, how could you not be aware of it? 

Girls and women are told throughout life that their body is currency, where they are to find worth.  It is a sexist norm.  Reinforcing this in prime time media is shameful.  You had a soap box.  You could have changed the conversation about how women are perceived and what is appropriate, but you chose to tell half of your viewers that some women like it when male peers comment on their bodies, that it is in fact feminist and counterproductive to make a big deal about it.  You do this several times in several episodes.

I’m referring specifially to the “Night Five” episode in the third season.  The character Sam Seaborn comments that Ainsley Hays, his Harvard educated associate legal counsel female peer, looks so good she could make a dog break its chain.  Another woman in the office calls it harassment and sexist.  Then to make everyone feel better Ainsley tells this woman that she likes it when Sam comments because it shows that she is included and that nitpicking over words ignores the bigger issures keeping women down.   

WHAT?  As a writer, I am certain that you know the power of words, rhetoric, and media.  Reinforcing the notion that because some women find it acceptable = feminism = men don’t have to change the way they treat and talk about women is absurd, offensive, and just wrong.  Interestingly, in the same episode, the effects of child abuse are addressed.  How when a person that is supposed to love and respect you belittles and abuses you, it has a lasting effect on your life.  I guess that only applies to men.  Because belittling women under the guise of compliments is uniquely feminist.

Shame on you Aaron Sorkin.