Commentary on the presidency

As for a fictional politician joining the real electoral race (C8), Greg King of Springwood writes: “I’m sure everyone is suggesting The West Wing’s Josiah Bartlet as a fictional president who would do well in the polls. It’s worth noting that Aaron Sorkin was the creator and writer for both this show and The American President. A dab hand at ideal presidents.” For what it’s worth, Granny’s vote goes to Warren Beatty’s titular, darkly satirical Jay Billington Bulworth.

“Michael Douglas as Andrew Shepherd would definitely rate well in Australian opinion polls,” thinks George Zivkovic of Northmead. “But Thomas J. Whitmore (Bill Pullman, in Independence Day and Independence Day: Resurgence) delivers one of the most famous, rallying motivational speeches in cinema history, right before returning to the cockpit and sacrificing his life by detonating cold-fusion bombs to destroy the alien Harvester Queen. What a leader!” Good stuff, but The Donald claims that was him.

Gail Grogan of Toongabbie reckons Dave Kovic “would win an election hands down. The doppelganger played by Kevin Kline in Dave is presently what’s needed in every country.”

“Oh, David Prest (C8), lucky you,” says Maureen Donlon of Wagga Wagga. “My older brother told me you had to keep the tyre caps in your mouth so you didn’t lose them. Then again, he and my older sister also convinced me, every spring for a number of years, that soursob was really delicious! Then they would almost die laughing as they told me the flowers are yellow because of the dog pee. It’s lucky I survived childhood, and they are lucky I still speak to them.”

“You make me jealous, Judy Bower,” says Mary Carde of Parrearra (Qld). “Barry was the best-looking Bee Gee. But I’ve only ever admired him from the nosebleed section at their One Night Only Sydney concert. I can brag, however, that Lonnie Lee winked and smiled at me during a performance in Melbourne in the 1960s as he sang I Found a New Love. I was 16 at the time and my heart skipped a million beats.”