Robert Ritchie
From West Wing Wiki
- Ritchie redirects here, for other Ritchies, see Ritchie (disambiguation).
Robert Ritchie was the Governor of Florida from 1997 to 2005. He ran for president in the 2002 election.
- Governor Ritchie was portrayed by James Brolin.
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[edit] Early Life and Political Career
Ritchie attended the University of Florida, and would eventually attempt to prevent news organizations from reading his college transcripts.[1]
He was married to Janet Ritchie.[2]
In 1996, Ritchie defeated Carol Gelsey in the race for Governor.[3]
[edit] Campaign for President
- See Ritchie Campaign for more details.
After gaining momentum in the Iowa Caucus, Ritchie made a statement supporting a Pennsylvania referendum to ban affirmative action in college admission.[4] His "plain-spokenness" helped him win the caucus.[5]
After the Iowa Caucus, Ritchie was the likely Republican candidate and used the period to release his book, "A Promise to Lead."[6]
After President made a remark possibly denigrating Ritchie's intelligence[7] Ritchie asked for a public apology.[8]
Ritchie chose Jeff Heston for his running mate, prior to being nominated.[9]
Ritchie was invited to the Catholic Charities event in New York City that showed a production of "Wars of the Roses."[10]
Prior to attending the play, Ritchie went to a New York Yankees game, stating it was "how ordinary Americans got their entertainment." After pressure from the media, Bartlet had a private meeting with Ritchie. Bartlet told Ritchie how much Ritchie insulted the church by attending the Yankees game, and his belief that they should have a great debate. Ritchie informed Bartlet of his belief that Bartlet was an "academic elitist" and a Hollywood, liberal snob. After being told of Simon Donovan's shooting death, Ritchie stated, "Crime, boy. I don't know," which was the point where Bartlet decided he needed to annihilate Ritchie in the election.[11]
Ritchie was known for his statements of "I'm no..." He stated he was not a mind reader, doctor, or "Chinese." Speaking in front of the Philadelphia Financial Commission, Ritchie stated "I'm no scientist, but I know a thing or two about physics."[12]
Ritchie had a tendency to cite his advisors by name, most likely to state that he would like to be President, and would use the right people for the right job.[13]
On October 23, 2002, Governor Ritchie participated in a debate against incumbent President Bartlet. Ritchie was unprepared for Bartlet's debating style, and unequivocally lost, stating privately to Bartlet afterwards, "It's over." Bartlet said, "You'll be back."[14]
On November 5, 2002, Governor Robert Ritchie lost the election to President Bartlet by over 10 million votes, recieving 144 electoral votes.[15]
[edit] Later Political Career
Robert Ritchie retired in 2005, after the election of Republican Governor Swenson, who would go on to support Arnold Vinick in the 2006 presidential election.
[edit] Notes
- ↑ "Were you aware that several news organizations have been trying to obtain Governor Ritchie's transcripts from the University of Florida?" from The U.S. Poet Laureate
- ↑ Mentioned in 20 Hours in America, Part I
- ↑ Gelsey is mentioned to have run in The Funeral
- ↑ "Governor Ritchie came out this morning in support of the Pennsylvania Referendum banning affirmative action, with regards to college admissions." from The Two Bartlets
- ↑ "It's gonna be Ritchie." from The Two Bartlets
- ↑ "Governor Robert Ritchie of Florida the likely Republican nominee for the fall campaign, in his new book "A Promise to Lead..." from The U.S. Poet Laureate
- ↑ "I think we might be talking about a .22 caliber mind in a .357 magnum world." from The U.S. Poet Laureate
- ↑ "Governor Ritchie is calling on the President to apologize?" from The U.S. Poet Laureate
- ↑ "Is the Republican nominee Rob Ritchie? Yes. Is his running mate Jeff Hesten? Yes." from The Black Vera Wang
- ↑ "Governor Ritchie's accepted an invitation." from We Killed Yamamoto
- ↑ From a scene in Posse Comitatus
- ↑ "So, for the week, you can add 'scientist' to 'doctor,' 'mind reader,' and 'Chinese.'" from 20 Hours in America, Part I
- ↑ "Josh, he cites them more then we do, which is his way of saying, 'I want to be President the same way you want a cold beer.'" from 20 Hours in America, Part I
- ↑ From the debate in Game On.
- ↑ Election results seen in Election Night.
| Preceded by: Jeb Bush | Governor of Florida 1997-2005 | Succeeded by: Eric Swenson |
| Preceded by: David D. Eisenhower | Republican Party Presidential Candidate 2002 | Succeeded by: Arnold Vinick |
