Richard Schiff to Campaign for Joe Biden This Week

Days Until Bush Leaves Office = 388

Wow! Its West Wing week here in Iowa. First came news of Martin Sheen, who played President Josiah Bartlett on the former NBC hit TV series, campaigning for Bill Richardson. Now comes word that Richard Schiff, who played White House Communications Director Toby Ziegler on the show, is coming to the state on behalf of Senator Joe Biden.

No word yet on whether Dennis Kuchinich has been able to land a committment from Sam Lloyd, the actor who played UFO buff Robert Engler in West Wing season 1 espisode 5 and season 3 espisode 13. But hope springs eternal.

BTW: Josiah Bartlett. Joe Biden. Same initials. Kewl.

Here's a press release from the Biden campaign with details on Schiff's appearances (I'll add updates as they become available):

RICHARD SCHIFF TO HIT THE CAMPAIGN TRAIL WITH SEN. BIDEN THIS WEEK
Emmy Award-Winning Star Of “The West Wing” Will Stump For Sen. Biden At Events Throughout Iowa

Des Moines, IA (December 28, 2007): Emmy Award-winning actor Richard Schiff, renowned for his role as White House Communications Director Toby Ziegler on the hit political drama “The West Wing,” will make stops in Waterloo, Independence, Manchester, Elkader, Dubuque, Mason City, Ames, and Des Moines, Iowa this week to stump for Sen. Biden ahead of the January 3rd caucuses.

“The West Wing inspired its audience to seek the kind of presidential leadership that is based on experience, judgment, wisdom, and conscience,” said Schiff. “On January 3rd, Iowans will have the opportunity to choose a president who can deliver that leadership by caucusing for Joe Biden. I believe that the enormous challenges facing our country at home and abroad—from safely leaving Iraq, to improving our education system, to the crisis that erupted yesterday in Pakistan—require Joe Biden’s expertise in foreign affairs and constitutional law, his ability to unite the country, and his steadfast values, which include, most importantly, telling the truth. Iowa, and America, need Joe Biden because he is ready to lead from Day One and in the high-stakes world we live in, there are no re-takes.”

Richard Schiff began his career as a theater director in New York and later founded and served as the artistic director of the Manhattan Repertory Theatre, where he directed both on-and off-Broadway productions. After later shifting into acting, Schiff earned roles in numerous hit television series and films. Schiff won an Emmy in 2000 for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series for his role as White House Communications Director Toby Ziegler on “The West Wing.” He was subsequently nominated two more times for this role in 2001 and 2002. Born and raised on the East Coast, he now lives in Los Angeles with his wife, actress Sheila Kelley.

Friday, December 28:
7:30 PM RICHARD SCHIFF WILL JOIN SEN. BIDEN FOR A CAUCUS COUNTDOWN EVENT WITH BLACKHAWK COUNTY DEMOCRATS
Waterloo Center for the Arts
225 Commercial Street
Waterloo, IA

Saturday, December 29:
9:00 AM RICHARD SCHIFF WILL JOIN SEN. BIDEN FOR A CAUCUS COUNTDOWN EVENT WITH BUCHANAN COUNTY DEMOCRATS
Bill's Pizza & Smokehouse
201 1st Street W
Independence, IA

11:30 AM RICHARD SCHIFF WILL JOIN SEN. BIDEN FOR A CAUCUS COUNTDOWN EVENT WITH DELAWARE COUNTY DEMOCRATS
Pizza Ranch
1100 W Main Street
Manchester, IA

2:00 PM RICHARD SCHIFF WILL JOIN SEN. BIDEN FOR A CAUCUS COUNTDOWN EVENT WITH CLAYTON COUNTY DEMOCRATS
Johnson’s Restaurant
916 1/2 High Street NE
Elkader, IA

5:00 PM RICHARD SCHIFF WILL JOIN SEN. BIDEN FOR A CAUCUS COUNTDOWN EVENT WITH DUBUQUE COUNTY DEMOCRATS
National Mississippi River Museum and Aquarium
350 E 3rd Street
Dubuque, IA

Sunday, December 30:
12:00 PM RICHARD SCHIFF WILL JOIN SEN. BIDEN AND DR. JILL BIDEN FOR A CAUCUS COUNTDOWN EVENT WITH CERRO GORDO COUNTY DEMOCRATS
Masonic Temple Association of Mason City
304 1st Street SE
Mason City, IA

2:30 PM RICHARD SCHIFF WILL JOIN DR. JILL BIDEN FOR A CAUCUS COUNTDOWN EVENT WITH STORY COUNTY DEMOCRATS
Location TBD
Ames, IA

4:30 PM RICHARD SCHIFF WILL JOIN DR. JILL BIDEN FOR A CAUCUS COUNTDOWN EVENT WITH POLK COUNTY DEMOCRATS
Location TBD
Des Moines, IA

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