Howard Stackhouse
Encyclopedia
Howard Stackhouse is a fictional character in the TV series The West Wing portrayed by George Coe
.
Stackhouse is a senior Democratic Senator from Minnesota
(five terms) known for his staunch liberal positions. He is 78 years old when first seen.
He is a central figure in the episode "The Stackhouse Filibuster
," when he conducts a one-man filibuster
of an appropriations bill to secure money for autism
research. A master of parliamentary procedure, Stackhouse keeps the floor for a long time by reading from a cookbook
, the books of Charles Dickens
and reading the rules of cards
The reason for his determination to defeat the bill is made clear in the late part of episode, when President Josiah Bartlet
learns that Stackhouse's own grandson is autistic. Despite the fact that the bill had been closed earlier, this fact convinces Bartlet to make a deal with Stackhouse and to look again at the issue. The Senator had not told anyone that his grandson is autistic as he did not want to use the boy's health for political gain.
During the 2002 presidential election Stackhouse runs as an independent candidate, on a more liberal platform than Bartlet, to raise issues. He was earlier said to have been on only 27 ballots, and to have been polling at 4% in New York and California. However, he drops out from race in October and strongly endorses the President. Bartlet earlier stated that he could not understand Stackhouse's apparent dislike of him, arguing that he was "the most liberal President under whom [Stackhouse] had ever served."
In "The Stackhouse Filibuster" it is also revealed that the Senator's wife had died a few years earlier, and that his personal hero is Hubert Humphrey
. It is also mentioned that Stackhouse had run for president at least once during his five Senate terms.
He was last mentioned in the 7th season episode "The Wedding."
George Coe
George Coe is an American film, stage, and television actor. He is best known for having been a cast member on the first three episodes of Saturday Night Live, as well as for his work on various television shows.-Career:...
.
Stackhouse is a senior Democratic Senator from Minnesota
Minnesota
Minnesota is a U.S. state located in the Midwestern United States. The twelfth largest state of the U.S., it is the twenty-first most populous, with 5.3 million residents. Minnesota was carved out of the eastern half of the Minnesota Territory and admitted to the Union as the thirty-second state...
(five terms) known for his staunch liberal positions. He is 78 years old when first seen.
He is a central figure in the episode "The Stackhouse Filibuster
The Stackhouse Filibuster
"The Stackhouse Filibuster" is the 39th episode of The West Wing.-Plot:It's Friday night; The West Wing is expecting a legislative victory with the passage of the Family Wellness Bill in the Senate, and the staff is preparing to leave for the weekend. Suddenly, an unexpected filibuster of the bill...
," when he conducts a one-man filibuster
Filibuster
A filibuster is a type of parliamentary procedure. Specifically, it is the right of an individual to extend debate, allowing a lone member to delay or entirely prevent a vote on a given proposal...
of an appropriations bill to secure money for autism
Autism
Autism is a disorder of neural development characterized by impaired social interaction and communication, and by restricted and repetitive behavior. These signs all begin before a child is three years old. Autism affects information processing in the brain by altering how nerve cells and their...
research. A master of parliamentary procedure, Stackhouse keeps the floor for a long time by reading from a cookbook
Cookbook
A cookbook is a kitchen reference that typically contains a collection of recipes. Modern versions may also include colorful illustrations and advice on purchasing quality ingredients or making substitutions...
, the books of Charles Dickens
Charles Dickens
Charles John Huffam Dickens was an English novelist, generally considered the greatest of the Victorian period. Dickens enjoyed a wider popularity and fame than had any previous author during his lifetime, and he remains popular, having been responsible for some of English literature's most iconic...
and reading the rules of cards
The reason for his determination to defeat the bill is made clear in the late part of episode, when President Josiah Bartlet
Josiah Bartlet
Josiah Edward "Jed" Bartlet is a fictional character played by Martin Sheen on the television serial drama The West Wing. He is President of the United States for the entire series until the last episode, when his successor is inaugurated...
learns that Stackhouse's own grandson is autistic. Despite the fact that the bill had been closed earlier, this fact convinces Bartlet to make a deal with Stackhouse and to look again at the issue. The Senator had not told anyone that his grandson is autistic as he did not want to use the boy's health for political gain.
During the 2002 presidential election Stackhouse runs as an independent candidate, on a more liberal platform than Bartlet, to raise issues. He was earlier said to have been on only 27 ballots, and to have been polling at 4% in New York and California. However, he drops out from race in October and strongly endorses the President. Bartlet earlier stated that he could not understand Stackhouse's apparent dislike of him, arguing that he was "the most liberal President under whom [Stackhouse] had ever served."
In "The Stackhouse Filibuster" it is also revealed that the Senator's wife had died a few years earlier, and that his personal hero is Hubert Humphrey
Hubert Humphrey
Hubert Horatio Humphrey, Jr. , served under President Lyndon B. Johnson as the 38th Vice President of the United States. Humphrey twice served as a United States Senator from Minnesota, and served as Democratic Majority Whip. He was a founder of the Minnesota Democratic-Farmer-Labor Party and...
. It is also mentioned that Stackhouse had run for president at least once during his five Senate terms.
He was last mentioned in the 7th season episode "The Wedding."