A reader predicts a Republican victory in the prime-time presidential election:

As an avid West Wing viewer (despite the leftist drivel of most of the
episodes) I have a theory about last night’s episode. The writers have
created a no-lose situation for themselves. The primary race between the
former VP, current VP and Santos isn’t really about those candidates;
it’s about which cast audiences like better, thus keeping ratings high
for upcoming seasons, if they decide to keep the show going. Do we like
Will Bailey and Donna? Josh and Congressman Santos (Hoines will never
win, so we can forget that one)? Of course the wildcard is Alan Alda,
the Republican with a heart of gold? Who woulda thunk it? He’s even got
himself a loveable cast in Patricia Richardson and the guy from News
Radio, who plays the frumpy speech writer. So the country’s getting more
conservative, the writers say. Then Alan Alda becomes president, and
lefties who love Alda will even tune in to watch him. Genius.