TRANSITION NOTEBOOK — A Tale from NBC’s West Wing for Today’s Transition

The West Wing — Josh Lyman (Bradley Whitford) and Donna Moss (Janel Moloney)

As a huge fan of “The West Wing,” my favorite scenes from the highly-acclaimed series that ran on NBC from 1999–2006 was the 90-second, walk and talk civics lessons that were laid out in a single camera shot as characters walked through the cramped warren of offices in the White House’s West Wing. More often than not, the scenes included Deputy Chief of Staff Josh Lyman (Bradley Whitford) and Special Assistant to the President for getting stuff done, Donna Moss (Janel Moloney).

With apologies to series’ writer, Aaron Sorkin, here’s a conversation I imagine my favorite characters having this week. And of course, due to COVID-19, it takes place on a zoom call.

Set in the current day, Josh is the first director of the President Matthew V. Santos Presidential Library and Museum. As a federal employee and former politico, he is enraged by the failure to begin the presidential transition. Donna has been out of government, founding her own political consulting firm. She calls Josh from her dining room table, now office. Josh is also working from home and appears on the screen in his bathrobe. A mask protrudes from his breast pocket. CNN is on in the background. Begin scene.

Donna Moss (DM): Hi Josh. How goes the transition?

Josh Lyman (JL): It doesn’t.

DM: I know. Tell me about ascertainment and the SBA.

JL: Donna! It’s the GSA — as in General Services Administration. They’re in charge of setting up the offices of the transition team and getting them operational from now through the inauguration. You remember?

DM: Not so much. And the GSA Administrator says when that can start?

JL: Yeah. The Presidential Transition Act of 1963 calls for the GSA Administrator to ascertain the apparent successful candidate. In 2016, they looked at what the major media were saying, the reported results from the states and whether Hillary conceded. They decided the day after the election. Same thing in 2008 — two hours after the election was called and McCain conceded.

DM: Well he hasn’t conceded. But they’re saying this is just like 2000 and Bush v. Gore. They say it’s too early to tell who won.

JL: Of course they’re saying that! But in 2000, that was a very close race in a single state — it was 537 votes out of six million cast in the state. Biden’s lead is now 306–223 in the electoral college. That should be apparent.

DM: What about the fraud?

JL: No fraud.

DM: Who — besides you — says “No fraud.”

JL: Every court that has heard their arguments. The DOJ lawyers who investigate election fraud. Their own Department of Homeland Security just said “The November 3rd election was the most secure in American history.”

DM: Can’t the Congress do something?

JL: They’re all thinking about Georgia.

DM: Yeah — two Senate races. I fly to Atlanta tomorrow. People like divided government.

JL: I just wish we could get this one started before they divide it! At least, give them the daily security briefings. And maybe the COVID experts should be getting together?

DM: Wait, they’re not getting the Presidential Daily Brief? I remember the President-Elect got those.

JL: No briefings. Don’t they know the 9/11 Commission report warned us about the dangers of a stalled transition.

DM: They really should have the health experts meet. I am scared about these numbers.

JL: By the time this new team gets in place, we could have over 500,000 deaths.

DM: Josh, now you’re scaring me.

JL: It is scary. That’s why in 1963, Congress wrote the law saying “Any disruption occasioned by the transfer of the executive power could produce results detrimental to the safety and well-being of the United States and its people.” You’d think after 9/11, we’d pay attention.

DM: I have to go now. What are you doing today?

JL: Watching the GSA website refresh.

DM: I thought it was SBA. Bye.

JL: (Yelling) DONNA!

End scene.

Neil Levine is a former political appointee and civil servant who served in the federal government during four presidential transitions.