Sorkin denies that “The West Wing” was intended to preach liberalism or any other political perspective. “The show doesn’t exist so that I can make a point about the census or anything else,” he said. “Writers have been telling stories about kings and palaces for centuries. This was another one.”

Despite his disinterest in revisiting his past work, Sorkin is more than aware of his show’s impact on current and future leaders, but never intended to use “The West Wing” as a soap box or some kind of recruiting device. Nevertheless, he’s touched by the effect it’s had on others.