Actor Bradley Whitford visited Madison on Sunday morning for more than a hometown stop. “The West Wing” star advertised on behalf of the Harris-Walz campaign with co-stars gathered at the Barrymore Theater for a rally.

Whitford spoke to The Daily Cardinal about the risks this election poses to college students, the Biden-Harris administration's handling of Israel's war in Gaza and changes in the political landscape since “The West Wing” first aired in 1999.

This interview has been edited for clarity and brevity.

What would you say to students at UW-Madison who are either undecided about whether to vote or are voting for the first time in this election?

Donald Trump wants to repeal the Affordable Care Act, which would mean people under 26 would lose access to their parents' health care. Democrats want to make it easier for you to afford your education, earn a living wage after college, buy a home, and give women freedom, health care, and access to contraception. The spectacular, unfulfilled promise of this country is that you have a voice in building the future you want, and you do that when you vote. It is very easy to be cynical about politics, but cynicism is a luxury you cannot afford in the future.

Lots of young voters in the April Democratic primary in Madison agreed without instructions due to the Biden-Harris administration's handling of Gaza. What would you say to young voters here who are hesitant about the foreign policy aspect of Kamala Harris' campaign?

(Israeli Prime Minister) Benjamin Netanyahu wants Trump in power because Trump wants to take down Gaza. Kamala called for a ceasefire relatively early on, but in my opinion that is not enough. I am active in the French National Committee for Legislation and Financing (United Nations Relief and Works Agency), which is very important for the Palestinians. We want a ceasefire and must fight for a two-state solution. But if you think that a Trump administration or a suspension (of this election) is going to help the people of Gaza, then I think you're crazy.

(Youth voters) should be outraged! I find it obscene that we cannot all agree that we should stand on the side of civilians and children. (But) it would be a disaster for the people of Gaza if we allowed Trump to return to the White House. Constantly argue with authorities, but you have to choose the area in which you can make your case. Our ability to advocate for the people of Gaza depends on this election.

Up on stage you talked about how “The West Wing” came from a time when Republicans were “normal.” Why has your perception of the Republican Party changed so drastically since then?

I believe that the party has been taken over by white Christian nationalists and that Republicans are so afraid of losing power that they have sold their souls to a strange, morally bankrupt candidate who gave them some electoral success but has given up everything they hold on to they pretended to believe. Trump is desecrating the values ​​of Jesus. As someone raised as a Quaker, Jesus didn't walk around Bethlehem saying, “Don't help these lepers; you'll make them lazy.”

When The West Wing first came out, the general consensus was that it was an idealization of politics, but that view has changed over time. How have you noticed the change in the political landscape since the show first aired?

It was seen as an idealization of public service, but I don't think that's true. As much as I disagreed with Ronald Reagan or George Bush, I think they were really heartbroken that they couldn't unite the country. What is unprecedented is that a major political force in our country is led by someone who is not well, who does not want to unite us, who is driven by hate and division and racism and homophobia. I have transgender people in my family, I know a lot of people in the transgender community. It's the oldest trick in the fascist book that sexuality and gender freak people out.