Inside the Real West Wing: A Day in the Life of the President

It takes an army of support and advisory staff to keep things humming at the most powerful office in the free world. And many involved--from the President and his cabinet to the lowliest staffer--come in early and go home late. Hosted by Tom Brokaw, this NBC News-produced slice of daily presidential life (filmed prior to the war in Iraq) finds the chief executive's day starting with the 4:30 a.m. “lights on” outside the presidential living chambers, the prelude to a day in the Oval Office full of appointments, meetings, press conferences, and public appearances. Although he (and most other White House staffers) are self-proclaimed “morning people,” President Bush looks a bit tired through most of the early morning meetings and sessions (no wonder; as the end of the video points out, it's likely he was up late the night before). The President's cabinet is prominently featured, including Vice President Dick Cheney (here, defending his position on the bubbling Enron scandal), then-National Security Advisor Condoleezza Rice (who helps prepare the President for a phone conversation with British Prime Minister Tony Blair), and a too-brief snippet with senior advisor Karl Rove. Viewers also receive insights (and spin) from press support staff, are afforded rare glimpses of “the cave” and the “situation room” (where plans for the Iraq War were undoubtedly being developed), and learn about other aspects of the nation's top nerve center. The day ends with several intimate interviews with the President, including one with his wife Laura. Accompanied by a very good teacher's guide featuring a solid program review and discussion questions, this program--although somewhat dated topically--provides a solid overview of life inside the other West Wing. Recommended. Aud: J, H. (C. Block)