"Where to start? I love the intelligent confidence, but at the same time I love the bashfulness that occasionally envelops him. I love his passion, his chivalry, and his love of minutiae, almost Bartlet-ian in its volume. I grin with him when he is happy, I frown with him when he is sad, and I am annoyed along with him when he is pissed off. I love his loyalty, his humor, and above all his idealism. In short, I love all that was, is and will be Sam Seaborn."

--Courtesy of Emma

It amazes me that someone can be so klutzy yet keep walking in a straight line, so geeky yet so loved for it, so idealistic yet working in politics, and so loyal yet betrayed so often. He will find it in his heart to forgive those he loves, no matter what they do to him, he will move heaven and earth for what he believes in, and he is a lawyer who has not lost sight of what matters in life. Nothing demonstrates these qualities more than the fact that he left a salary of almost half a million dollars a year to help his best friend get 'the real thing,' a little known Democratic governor from New Hampshire, elected President. Besides, when you're deemed cookie-worthy by Mrs. Landingham, you've got to be doing something right.

--Courtesy of Elizabeth

While politics is seemingly a business of cut-throats, pork-barrelling, log-rolling, and a lack of both principles and morals, there is, from time to time, an individual who goes against all that. We have found such a person in Sam Seaborn, who manages to be loyal even while he's being left out of the loop on something he should know about; who manages to be intelligent and not laughable even while he's being klutzy and falling over things; who sticks to his principles even when it's not convenient for him; who manages to keep his principles, morals, and ethics in high esteem regardless of where he is or what he's doing or if it'll get him into trouble; who can rattle off the route from Nova Scotia to DC off the top of his head but cannot find the Wesley Police Station even with a map and the North Star; who can remember tiny little facts and recite them, even if he's not sure what they mean exactly; who is passionate and excitable and equal to the task; and who proves that being the youngest does not mean being an amateur, nor does it mean not being able to do a job and do it damn well, even if people don't think you can beforehand.

--Courtesy of Kasey

Geeky has now become the sexiest thing on tv. Sam is at his best when he gets passionate about an issue that most would shrug off. He studies it, so he can be knowledgeable about what he's talking about. Sexy is geeky.

--Courtesy of Heidi

All I have to say is I wish there were more people in the world like him. Plus...he's really hot!

--Courtesy of an anonymous Sam fan

It looks like monogrammed shirts have become America's definition of sexy. Despite the fact that things are "bad on so many levels," Sam remains passionate and never loses sight of the truth and the real meaning of life. Sam is a perfect example of starting a job and finishing it, without any added arrogance or grumbling. Samuel Norman Seaborn is, and always will be, cookie-worthy to me.

--Courtesy of an anonymous Sam fan

More than any other staffer, perhaps, Sam is concerned with being on the right side on a particular issue rather than just winning the side. While Toby has that element, and C.J. has her moments, Sam Seaborn is the staffer most driven by his convictions.

--The West Wing: The Official Companion

Sam is optimistic. He is incredibly energetic. Smart, in the strangest ways, as well as smart in the regular ways. Prone to step in it from time to time. It isn't that so much as things happen to him. He is a lawyer--several of them come from very lucrative private sector jobs to not very lucrative public jobs. He's a fantastic lawyer and a wonderful writer. Sam obviously provides romance of a leading man quality. And a great sense of humor.

--Aaron Sorkin in The West Wing: The Official Companion

Even though Sam's title is deputy communications director, he has turned into the "go to" counsel, the "go to" lawyer in the inner circle. Mind you, the inner circle are all lawyers but Sam's the one they go to when they want to be sure they have it right. He is a great writer, although he thinks Toby's better. Sam also has the ability to be the enforcer, which is nice. I love the juxtaposition of loyalist attack dog with the exuberant puppy.

--Rob Lowe in The West Wing: The Official Companion

I love Sam.
Hereby is my declaration of love.
"How do I love thee. Let me count the ways."
I love his idealism; indefatigable, indestructible, incredible, and at times, incomparable.
I love his puppy dog loyalty to everyone he considers worthy of it. I love that anyone could be considered for this treatment.
I love that he is willing to fight for his friends. "Don't tread on me (or my friends)." "I'll bust you like a piñata."
I love that he's passionate.
I love his heroic firefighter tendencies, the fact he wanted to be one when 4, that he pushed C.J. down, that he fired Joyce and Brookline.
That he sets out to save the world, or at least Washington, a prostitute, or his friends.
I love that he really listens and tries to help his friends out. And even those crackpots.
I love that he cares enough to throw himself into "funnel" territory.
I love that he's vulnerable and makes mistakes, and seems to learn from them.
I love that he's gorgeous. Has gorgeous blue eyes that say more than words at times.
No one else looks as good in a blue shirt and tie.
I love the glasses and laptop, munching while talking, and going when summoned by a red rubber ball.
I love Season 3 hair!
I love that he speaks Spanish.
I love that at times he cares more about being right than being politically correct.
I love that he's a geek.
I love that he can tell you how to get somewhere, but can't actually get there.
I love watching him, even if he has a "funnel" type plot. I look forward to each new episode, even if I know it's a "funnel" plot.
I love his relationships with others in the West Wing.
I love that he can write.
I love that he's the staff's lawyer.
I love that somehow he holds his tongue when maybe he'd like to say something.
I love it when he speaks his mind.
I love that he has an innate sense of respect for all.
"How much do I love thee, I cannot count all the ways."

--Courtesy of ceebee

I have had the unique pleasure and the privilege of being able to partake in a career that depends on excellent writing and speaking skills...While I am also a "rabid" fan of the West Wing I have come to truly appreciate and above all respect the character of Sam Seaborn. Being able to eloquently craft the written word and/or bestow honor in his esteemed swirls of ink is truly credit to the gift of the human condition. To have the spirit and unswerving belief in democracy, in people, to be able to be a giant and have others stand on your shoulders is what makes us as humans so strong and at times so weak...And it is in these compelling virtues that the character of Sam shines greater than the sun...and at times glows like the moon above us...but Sam is uniquely different in talent, in speech, in belief, in strength, in unity and in resolve...If the world of television ever could mesh with our "real world" we may be able to believe in a day when Sam, whether crafted by writers and/or born of inspiration and desire will take the oath as so many of him have before. And "will to the best of his abilities" redefine what the essence of freedom means, the tenacity of democracy and perhaps raise the bar higher for all those that will lead after him. They say imitation is the sincerest form of flattery...so let's raise a toast to Sam, our country and the world before us.

--Courtesy of John

He's less visually observant than others, but he makes up for it with cunning and guile.

--Courtesy of an anonymous Sam fan

When things get messy, he's the guy who's there. When things go wrong, he's the guy who's there. But when you wake up in the morning, he's not the guy who's there........simply because he's Sam Seaborn, and he's not real!!!

--Courtesy of an anonymous Sam fan

There's just something so...captivating about Sam. Whenever he is on the screen, you just have to look, no stare, at him. I think anybody would be so lucky to have a friend like him as he is so loyal and lovely. His face when he asks Ainsley who sent the flowers? Mmm. He's so cute and boyish, yet at the same time so manly and sexy, yum! I love rewatching and catching his little funny lines and quips he makes which show his sweetness, plus he wears the best suits on the whole show!

--Courtesy of lollypop

Sam will always be the brother I wish I had...politics aside, his gentleness, kindness, morals, genuine care for others, love of family, loyalty to friends, purity of heart and 'da man' to turn to when you just need a brother...Sam will live on in my heart forever as a truly unique individual, a character created by Aaron Sorkin, but given life by Rob Lowe. Thank you, Sam, for being my brother.

--Courtesy of Jesse

Sam, Sam, the Sunshine Man....I'll miss your twinkling eyes and sweet sweet smile, but I've got you on tape to watch whenever I want and you're etched on the walls of my heart forever. Still, I'll miss your twinkling eyes and sweet sweet smile...

--Courtesy of AngelEyes

I want him to stay on the show so bad cause he is a good friend to Bradley Whitford and his character Josh.

--Courtesy of an anonymous Sam fan

I just have to say that I admire and respect Sam so much when he gets up off the floor after being left out of something or being the last to be told and goes and writes an incredible speech. Yes, he is geeky, but to me, geeky is sexy. When he's angry, he is at his best. When he is sitting down at that desk in his office, writing a speech, he can talk to someone at the same time without being distracted. Sam is definitely the man!

--Courtesy of Lisa

I love Sam's almost childlike innocence, the passionate idealism with which he greets every day. I love his chivalrous impulses, his rush to defend and stand by those he cares for. I love his brilliance, his talent, and the fact that he seems utterly oblivious to the magnitude of both. I love his sweetness, and his smile. I love his random displays of trivia and geeky knowledge, and find a kindred spirit in him. I see how deeply he feels everything, how much betrayals hurt him. And I admire how he picks himself up and goes on. His eloquence, his passion for his causes no matter what they may be, his loyalty . . . I admire him and respect him for all of these things and so many more. I'd like to be like him, I want to meet a man like him. He's the real thing. And how he looks in those glasses of his doesn't hurt, either.

--Courtesy of Toni

Sam is optimistic. He is incredibly energetic. Smart, and really hot. I just have to say that I admire and respect Sam so much when he gets up off the floor after being left out of something or being the last to be told and goes and writes an incredible speech. Yes, he is geeky, but to me, geeky is sexy. When he's angry, he is at his best. He is a lawyer--several of them come from very lucrative private sector jobs to not very lucrative public jobs. He's a fantastic lawyer and a wonderful writer. Sam obviously provides romance of a leading man quality. And a great sense of humor. Without him in the White House it really sucks.

--Courtesy of an anonymous Sam fan

When I retire to my humble abode and begin to ponder on the being that is Samuel Norman Seaborn, I have to stop and speak about his eloquence in speechwriting. As the Deputy Communications Director it is of the upmost importance to have a firm grasp of the English language and be able to command the attention of a room full of bipartisian constituents. The speeches must be founded on the morals set forth by the group being addressed and must stress the best vocals qualities of the speaker (which for this case is the President of the United States). Samuel Norman Seaborn has this outstanding quality and continues to amaze people throughout the West Wing. Besting himself in speechwriting is always something he strives to accomplish and hopes to continue to strive towards. In honor of this great idealism and show of morals above and beyond the call of Duty, I hear by nominate Samuel Norman Seaborn for the Pulitzer Prize and wait now for a second on the motion.

--Courtesy of Mandy

Cute when he gets puffed up over something.

--Courtesy of an anonymous Sam fan

The title of this page is a quote from "Enemies," written by Ron Osborn & Jeff Reno, when Bartlet asks Sam to give the birthday message another pass.

The West Wing: The Official Companion, ©2002 by Warner Bros.