Aaron Sorkin, who created "The West Wing" — winner of four consecutive Emmys   as best drama series (2000–03) — imagines a conversation between his fictional president, Jed Bartlet, and Democratic hopeful Barack Obama.

Appropriately enough, the piece ran in Maureen Dowd's New York Times column on Emmy weekend.

"The West Wing" holds several Emmy records including most awards won by a series in a single season (nine for 1999-2000), most drama series wins (four — tied with "Hill Street Blues" and "L.A. Law"), and most acting nominations in a single season (12 in 2001–02). Tying the record of "The Mary Tyler Moore Show" and "Cheers," six of the series regulars won Emmys for their work: Alison Janney (supporting 2000, 2001; lead 2002, 2004); Richard Schiff (supporting 2000); Bradley Whitford (supporting 2001); Stockard Channing (supporting 2002); John Spencer (supporting 2002); and Alan Alda (supporting 2006).

However, Martin Sheen, who played Bartlet, never won an Emmy for his work on "The West Wing" despite seven consecutive nominations. He referenced this in his appearance on the Emmy Awards on Sunday night when, from the set of the Oval Office, he urged American citizens to vote in the upcoming presidential election.

(NBC)