Bob Russell

Robert 'Bingo Bob' Russell is a fictional character played by Gary Cole on the television serial drama The West Wing. After the resignation of Vice President John Hoynes due to a sex scandal, in May 2003 President Jed Bartlet's first choice to replace him was Lewis Berryhill, his Secretary of State, played by William Devane. However, Berryhill's nomination was opposed by House and Senate Republicans, along with more than a few Democrats, most not... more

Robert 'Bingo Bob' Russell is a fictional character played by Gary Cole on the television serial drama The West Wing. After the resignation of Vice President John Hoynes due to a sex scandal, in May 2003 President Jed Bartlet's first choice to replace him was Lewis Berryhill, his Secretary of State, played by William Devane. However, Berryhill's nomination was opposed by House and Senate Republicans, along with more than a few Democrats, most notably the Senate Minority Leader. Instead, and with a great deal of reluctance, Bartlet appointed Bob Russell under the provisions of the 25th Amendment, after Congressional Republicans made it clear that they would not confirm a more viable candidate who could conceivably be nominated to succeed Bartlet. Russell was on the list of names given by conservative Republican Speaker of the House Jeff Haffley, which included a lesbian and several other politically-unappealing individuals. A Democratic Representative from Colorado at the time of his... less