The American Prospect is running a contest to enunciate the values of liberalism in 30 words or less. One of my favorites so far:

“I am my brother’s/sister’s keeper but not his/her judge.”

A couple of articles about “The West Wing,” both with some tidbits:

• Executive Producer John Wells claims he hasn’t decided who will win the presidential election: Republican Vinick (Alan Alda) or Democrat Santos (Jimmy Smits).
• The season will end with back-to-back episodes set at the Republican and Democratic conventions.
• Santos does’t have to win in order for one or more current castmembers to continue with the show.
• Martin Sheen is still in negotiations about returning to the show “in some capacity” next season; the Times says he will definitely be back next season.

Incidentally, the Times says that the show’s ratings are up slightly this year from last year, that the show has received a creative jolt due to the ending of Bartlet’s administration, and that it will likely be renewed for at least another season.

I’m shocked, given that I just read an old New Yorker profile of him last week and he was on my mind. I thought he’d live to be 100.

Read “The Man Who Retired,” by Bill Zehme, from Esquire, June 2002.

R.I.P., Johnny Carson.