West Wing WI: How could Vinick have won?
- Thread starter CT23
- Start date
DTanza
Banned
The show ended like eight years ago. Sorry but after the five year mark, you can't really expect spoiler protection.
Anyway, and if you don't want to find out more just leave the thread because I'm about to talk about major plot points...
Get rid of the nuclear accident. It was basically a justification for Vinick dropping suddenly in the polls because of his support for the nuclear power plant. The accident never happens, Vinick never drops in the polls, wins Nevada, wins the Presidency.
Santos gets elected Governor of Texas two years later like it was suggested he could if he lost the election but won his home state, comes back to run for President again after Vinick's completed eight years.
Vinick was on course for a solid win in the electoral he was around six-seven points ahead in the popular vote before the San Andreo which was a month before the election.
Best guess at the electoral map.
Vinick 352 ev
Santos 186 ev
Best guess at the electoral map.
Vinick 352 ev
Santos 186 ev
.
I really wanted Vinick to win, one of the all time greatest TV characters, heck I even liked his running mate. I also think that maybe a small gaffe by Santos could have swung the election his way, he lost Nevada by a few thousand votes as a recall.
He lost by authorial fiat anyway. In-universe the justification can be that Leo McGarry does not die, thus there is no sympathy votes for the Santos ticket.
And I can contend that as an engineer...the whole situation doesn't make any sense. But, if we are to take everything at face value, you've got to keep President Bartlet hands off in the situation, because his involvement clearly caused disorganization in the recovery effort.
What do you mean "as an engineer...the whole situation doesn't make any sense"?
Well, I never really thought about until I watched the episode with my aerospace engineer buddy, I am an industrial engineer, but the way the reactor fails and how they respond don't hold up to scrutiny. Unfortunately I didn't write down all of our problems, but I did find this blog which details some basic problems:
http://neinuclearnotes.blogspot.com/2006/01/west-wings-nuclear-farce.html?m=1
And if I remember correctly they stopped the hose which was crazy no matter what reason the show provides in that moment.
I agree Vinick was a superb character, it would be have been interesting to see how the show could have developed with him as President, and a Widower as well.
Vinick lost Oregon by 2,000 votes, Nevada by 30,000 and won the popular vote. It was very close.
Vinick lost Oregon by 2,000 votes, Nevada by 30,000 and won the popular vote. It was very close.
I think a more realistic reaction to McGarry's death would do it. I'm sorry, but you're trying to tell me that Democratic turnout increased and more people voted for Santos because the running mate that he picked to add experience to the ticket died? Vinnick ought to have won every state where ballots were still open when Leo's death was reported.
CthulhuFhtagn
Banned
Not having the nuclear accident happen could do it. Vinick barely lost with the accident. Without it, he would probably win by a fair margin (2-3%, probably).