Former West Wing actor Bradley Whitford appeared on MSNBC, Tuesday, to assure Americans that fictional ex-President Jed Bartlet is supporting Hillary Clinton. Quizzed by Steve Kornacki, the TV star endorsed by proxy: “There's no doubt in my mind that Hillary would be President Bartlett's choice. She's — nobody is more prepared to take that position on day one.”
He added, “So there's no doubt in my mind, I know this may be controversial. But yes, on behalf of Jed Bartlett, I want to endorse Hillary Clinton.”
When not speaking for a fictional president, the actor gushed:
BRADLEY WHITFORD: With me, it comes down to a very simple case of Hillary being by far the most qualified candidate to run for president in my lifetime....I have two daughters. For reproductive rights. As a senator, she sponsored eight pieces of legislation. She wasn't just a reliable vote, as Bernie was. She has been at the forefront of protecting our most vulnerable citizens. Fighting for health care. I think she's the most prepared person by far and I support her enthusiastically.
In contrast, Whitford wasn’t a fan of George W. Bush, saying in 2006 that the Republican “desecrated” the American flag.
A transcript is below:
Place for Politics
4/5/16
10:23am ETSTEVE KORNACKI: You're an actor. You're a Wisconsin native, though. What do you make of this?
BRADLEY WHITFORD: Yes, I am.
KORNACKI: You're a Hillary Clinton supporter. You're looking at your home state. It's got to spotlight today. An awful lot of Bernie Sanders supporters there. What do you make of that?
WHITFORD: There's a lot of support for Bernie. I certainly understand Bernie's appeal. With me, it comes down to a very simple case of Hillary being by far the most qualified candidate to run for president in my lifetime. My experience of Hillary goes back to her working the Children's Defense Fund, Marian Wright Edelman, her constant support for women's rights. I have two daughters. For reproductive rights. As a senator, she sponsored eight pieces of legislation. She wasn't just a reliable vote, as Bernie was. She has been at the forefront of protecting our most vulnerable citizens. Fighting for health care. I think she's the most prepared person by far and I support her enthusiastically.
KORNACKI: Why has that — everything you just laid out there, particularly on the experience front, why has that not resonated with — look, she is leading right now, but there's still a very significant chunk of the Democratic base that that's clearly not enough for. She's lost, I think, 13 or 14 states to Sanders so far, could well lose tonight. Why is that not enough for so many Democrats?
WHITFORD: Well, I think it's very easy to be cynical about the political process. It's a very difficult thing to watch. I think it's very easy on the left to fall in love with someone who doesn't have, perhaps, as dirty a uniform, who hasn't been as battle tested as Hillary has. But there's no question in Wisconsin, I actually said that a lot of people, I don't think, understand that Hillary out-bernied Bernie her entire life in terms of pushing the progressive agenda and idealism is more than just talking about it. Idealism is knowing what you can actually get done and getting it done. And Hillary has been a champion in the progressive arena my entire adult life.
KORNACKI: I got to ask you one West Wing question here. The president Jed Bartlett from that show, he was sort of for liberals a shadow president during the Bush years. If he was looking at this race, if that character was looking at this race, where do you think he would come down?
WHITFORD: There's no doubt in my mind that Hillary would be President Bartlett's choice. She's — nobody is more prepared to take that position on day one. So there's no doubt in my mind, I know this may be controversial. But yes, on behalf of Jed Bartlett, I want to endorse Hillary Clinton.
