Goodbye Leo

Damn. John Spencer is dead.

I don't know why I liked this guy so much. He was just a great character actor who played some great characters. He first garnered attention as Tommy Mullaney on "L.A. Law", had a couple of nice movie roles, and finished his career as White House Chief of Staff Leo McGarry on "The West Wing". He had a great look and that gravelly voice really seemed to add to his appeal.

I don't know what Spencer was like as a person, but I especially loved Leo's character. Leo is exactly who I would like to be - a leader, but not necessarily on the front line. It's a role I have often assumed in my life in various circumstances.

ESPN had a hockey promo a few years ago about what role each player had on a hockey team - the "superstar", the "grinder", the "enforcer", etc. My favorite was the "playmaker". It went something like, "the playmaker makes everybody look good...he's not the president, but he's not an empty-suit vice-president, either - he's more like a really powerful secretary of state or chief of staff...because sometimes an assist is more beautiful than a score."

The best line may have been from the show itself, when Martin Sheen's President Bartlet was speaking with the one cabinet secretary who has to stay away from the Capitol in case the building and all major government officials are blown away at one time. The Secretary of Agriculture is picked. The President has him come to the White House and as he leaves, he tells him:

"If anything happens. . . . You got a best friend?"

"Yes, sir."

"Is he smarter than you?"

"Yes sir."

"Would you trust him with your life?"

"Yes sir."

"That's your chief of staff."

That was Leo's character, and to hear the "West Wing" cast describe it, it was Spencer's role on the show as well. We should all serve our friends and colleagues as well. So long, Mr. Spencer.