‘West Wing’ actor calls Clinton speech inspiring

CHARLOTTE--Actor Richard Schiff, who played White House Communications Director Toby Ziegler in the seven-season series The West Wing, raptly watched former President Bill Clinton's Democratic National Convention speech from an uncomfortable perch on a crowded balcony Wednesday night.

Schiff told Yahoo News he found the speech "inspiring and absolutely emotional," before he was interrupted by Vermont Sen. Patrick Leahy, who came to say hello and snap a photo with the actor. The 72-year-old senator turned the camera around to show Schiff the photo. "I will tweet that right now!" Schiff exclaimed.

Schiff said his experience playing the strategic Ziegler has given him some insight into politics, but he's only attending this convention because he's shooting a political web series called Chasing the Hill. "I certainly understand the conflicts and the desire to do something for the greater good and the necessity to compromise," he said.