From the idealistic public servants of "The West Wing" to the conniving anti-heroes of "House of Cards," the portrayal of Washington D.C. in popular culture has changed significantly over the last decade.
Today on River to River - what shows set in our nation's capital say about our political climate, and what we can and cannot learn from these programs.
"These shows are a direct reflection of public cynicism," says Rachel Caufield, of Drake University. "They reflect public perceptions of government, but they also have the potential to shape public perceptions of government."
Today's guests include:
Rachel Caufield, Associate Professor in the Department of Politics and International Relations at Drake University Chris Larimer, Associate Professor of Political Science at the University of Northern Iowa David Anderson, Assistant Professor of Political Science at Iowa State University
Fun Fact: President Obama says he enjoys the following shows... Homeland, The Wire, Game of Thrones, Boardwalk Empire, and House of Cards.
