And now, from the University of Chicago Institute of Politics and CNN Audio, the Axfiles, with

your host, David Axelrod.

And now for another classic Axfiles episode, I sat down last spring with Aaron Sorkin,

the brilliant screenwriter and playwright behind stirring films like the American President

in the iconic television series The West Wing.

Beyond his signature crackling dialogue, Sorkin's work shares a common thread in abiding

almost romantic faith in our democracy, with all its blemishes and the power of imperfect

but well-motivated leaders who push back against darker forces.

All of that was on display in his widely praised Broadway adaptation of Tequila Mockingburg,

which was taking place when we spoke last spring.

Here's that conversation.

Real honor to be with you.

I had the pleasure of enjoying your new treatment of Tequila Mockingburg on Broadway last

time.

It was spectacular.

We'll have a chance to talk about that, but I want to talk about you and how you got to

this point in life.

Okay.

Are you sure you want to talk about me?

I do.

I do.

That's what we do here.

...