immigration in Popular Culture: Election 2008?

In a live episode of NBC’s “The West Wing” on Sunday, November 6, make-believe Republican presidential candidate Arnold Vinick (Alan Alda) debated Democratic rival, Matt Santos (Jimmy Smits). The debate looked real. In their dark business suits, both candidates were stationed at lecterns in front of the customary blue background (until midway through the hour, when both men called for hand microphones so they could roam the stage). Real-life TV news veteran Forrest Sawyer was on hand to moderate. Perhaps offering a glimpse into our immigration future, Sawyer’s first question went to Vinick: “What would you do to seal the Mexican border (to illegal immigration)?” “Enforcement first, that’s my policy,” said Santos, the California senator. “I would double the border patrol.”

KJ