Peggy Noonan: Break Out the Bubbly

Opinion Journal ^ | 03/01/2002 | Peggy Noonan

[Pokey78]

Why shouldn't Aaron Sorkin tell us what he thinks of President Bush?

A good little scandal this week and just when we needed it, when things were getting a little slow. "The West Wing" producer Aaron Sorkin perked things up by telling Tad Friend of The New Yorker that it's good we're "laying off the bubblehead jokes" about President Bush but let's face it, we're all just "being polite" and making believe Mr. Bush is a substantial figure. He added that it's too bad NBC's Tom Brokaw agreed to let the White House rearrange the president's schedule to make him look "more engaged" when NBC aired its "A Day in the Life of the President," which was broadcast after a recent "West Wing" episode.

[Pokey78]

Ping for the PNPL.

[Hildy]

In all honesty, I wish we had Conservative actors and Hollywood writers who were as vocal as Sorkin. Maybe one day soon it will be cool to be conservative in Hollywood. But I'm not holding my breath.

[martin_fierro]

Sorkin's a crackhead, and I won't waste my time watching his crap show.

[I_Love_My_Husband]

Couple of thoughts while reading this:

1. Noonan is a fantastic writer.
2. She's covering up for Sorkin and doing spin for him because there's a huge flap about what he said and he's coming off unpatriotic.
3. She likes him because she works for him and it brings in $$$ but she doesn't say that, but it's bringing in a goodly amount.
4. I'm still a huge fan of PN...anyways. I feel she's trying to be honest here, but isn't quite telling us the whole truth.

[america-rules]

She just ripped his heart out in the nicest way and he doesn't know it yet !

[goldstategop]

I watched "West Wing" last night. A wonderful piece of writing, if you can get past the politics. No one watches the show for its politics. People watch it because they like characters who are idealistic and who make public service look noble. They watch it because the characters Aaron Sorkin draws are human and we can identify with their triumphs and setbacks. And as Americans in watching "West Wing" and the lives of President and his White House staff, we're reminded just how blessed we are to live in this great country where every one has a shot at reaching the American Dream. As a conservative, I could care less about the show's liberal politics even as I find other aspects of it that make it riveting to watch. Say what you like about it, but don't be surprised to see a lot of conservatives like Peggy Noonan (and me) just enjoy it for the entertaining commentary it provides on the good and bad in our nation's public life.

[esmith]

Well she certainly is not going to lose her job over the sweet bubblehead she just gave sorkin. Money can buy anything I guess, even ethics. Poo on you Peggy.

[goldstategop]

And I take it you don't have liberal co-workers or friends?

[I_Love_My_Husband]

Writing ping (bc you're a great writer) and I'd like to know what you think of what she says. I've put my comments near the top. But you are brilliant and I'd like to know what you think too.

[1rudeboy]

bttt

[Mr. Bungle]

Funny when an esteemed Conservative's forays into TV entertainment do less to counter the left than any given episode of South Park.

I think Peggy's just too hooked on the cash and Hollywood accolades at this point. Most of the silly, fawning emotionalism in piece sounds like either Sorkin wrote it himself, or Peggy's as addicted to her trips to liberal Never-Neverland as Sorkin is to his crack.

Disappointing.

[ikka]

And I take it you don't have liberal co-workers or friends?

Nope, I don't, aside from a few unenlightened members of my family.

The left-liberals like Sorkin are traitors to everything American.

[Interesting Times]

Well she certainly is not going to lose her job over the sweet bubblehead she just gave sorkin. Money can buy anything I guess, even ethics. Poo on you Peggy.

If you think Peggy Noonan wrote this for money, rather than because it's what she believes, then you don't have an inkling.

And there are 16 inklings in a clue.

[I_Love_My_Husband]

Maybe not. I don't think she would. BUT, if she was working for Reagan or even post-Reagan she would not have written so nicely. I think she likes Sorkin personally, or maybe even has a crush. I'm serious.

[Miss Marple]

I even have liberal relatives. What I do not tolerate is personal attacks on the President during war, attacks that go directly to his capability as a leader.

And I do NOT appreciate the veiled threat to dredge up the Florida vote recount that Mr. Sorkin dropped in that interview.

I just wrote some sponsors requesting them to reconsider placement on that program. I don't often do this, but I was so enraged by that interview that I was compelled to do so.

I am unable to support a program which provides income for people such as Sorkin and Sheen who then use that money and their fame to attack people I admire.

[Happygal]

Half way through ``When Carachter Was King'' .

Peggy Noonan is taking over my life *LOL*

[St.Chuck]

She likes him because she works for him...

If that applies here, then perhaps it is applicable in her relationship with President Bush. She has nothing to say about Bush but nice things too.

I don't see why Sorkin's comments are controversial. I think that it is true, that liberals are just being polite, for the moment, just as they were with Papa Bush during the Gulf War. Come reelection time, with the aid of the media, liberals will begin undermining GW, just as they did his father.

[Interesting Times]

I think she likes Sorkin personally, or maybe even has a crush. I'm serious.

It's pretty clear that Peggy Noonan admires Sorkin. I myself do not.

My objection was to the claim that she is for sale.

[LouD]

Primary lesson inculcated by The Left Wing

Liberal=good

Conservative=bad

How can Peggy Noonan support this liberal indoctrination that is purely aimed at exploiting people incapable of critical thought?