Perhaps those readers more genned up on the actual mechanics of American politics can help me out here?
I'm a little skeptical about Bruno working on the Republican campaign. It was well established that he was a Democrat through and through. Would the Republicans really trust him, or would they consider him an agent provocateur?
It seems such an out of character move for him, especially when Santos would appear to be his kind of Democrat.
His motto is "Show me the money!"
shareI'm not sure about campaign staffers, but just based on how many politicians have changed parties, it probably has happened.
In our most recent crazy season:
Lincoln Chafee who was a republican senator and a democrat when governor;
Bernie Sanders who became a democrat just to run for president;
Donald Trump who has changed party affiliation five to seven times.
Santos may have trusted him, but Josh would have intervened. Josh & Bruno never really got on even when Bruno was working with Leo, the president and Josh during the MS scandal of S3.
I recall from one or two episodes where Bruno totally outplayed/out-thought the arrogant young Turk called Josh. And I think that petty jealousy manifested itself into the campaigns of seasons 6 & 7.
During the initial interview between Vinick and Bruno regarding the latter being campaign advisor for the Republicans, Bruno does confess that he "still cares about the Democrats", but as he further says he is "tired of building up and knocking down parties. Whereas you <Vinick> could put the country together again" (or words to that effect)
Admittedly the decision to take on board Bruno so quickly was quite remarkable and stretching belief just a tad; but for all that I did really enjoy Bruno going head to head with Josh and Lou.
“When is old news gonna be old news?”
― Arnold Vinick (The West Wing)
Ron Silver actually made the jump from Democrat to Republican in real life when in 2004 he spoke at the RNC in support of George W. Bush. I think they literally took his real life experience and put it into the storyline.
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ron_Silver
Bruno was a hired gun, he represented whoever paid him. His career wasn't based on ideology but love of money instead.
shareThat's not true. There are multiple examples of Bruno's showing to genuinely care about ideology despite his amoral front.
He also mentioned, when first speaking with Vinick, that he does still identify as a Democrat and he thinks Vinick would be the best thing to happen to Democrats. If a moderate, pro-choice Republican like Vinick were to win, that would presumably push the Republican party more to the left. Were Vinick to lose, that would serve as a balwark to conservative Republicans who can be like "See? Shoulda gone with us!"
Part of it could be that Bruno thought Vinnick had the best shot to win. Bruno was really all about winning the whole time. When Santos entered the race he was a huge long shot. Bingo Bob didn't really have anyone's confidence and he clearly wanted Will from the start anyway. Hoynes was damaged goods and Bruno had worked with him directly before on Bartlet's campaigns and probably knew more dirt would come up about his past.
It's a great day for America everybody!