According to the
Washington Post's Lisa de Moraes, NBC's live "West Wing" debate Sunday night did not push viewership numbers by a significant amount (although it was the most-viewed episode
of the season), but it ended up in a "win" for the Alan Alda candidate, Sen. Arnold Vinick, the Republican from California. Citing a Zogby poll, the
Post says Vinick's win was quite a
surprise, as it was widely believed that the show's viewers, known to be politically liberal, would "vote" for the younger, hipper candidate, Rep. Matt Santos, played by actor Jimmy Smits. It
didn't work out that way. While older viewers stuck with Smits after the debate, an unexpected number of younger onessaid they'd cast their ballot for the Republican, Alda. Speaking of NBC, de
Moraes writes this morning that "For a network that chases young viewers exclusively but has seen its median age spring forward by nearly three years this season ... this ought to stop the suits
in their track."
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