Fire up the netflix/torrent video pipe of choice. The best example of political television comes from the BBC. If you like your characters direct and with a wicked Machiavellian streak there is none Finer than Ian Richardson playing Francis Urquhart the Prime Minister in the BBC Series House of Cards.
It doesn't get better in terms of devious characters and a marvelous introduction into politics as it probably really is. The pleasant American supposition of doing the public good is missing, but the pursuit of power is on clear display.
House of Cards sets the bar very high for any political drama or political character you may ever see again. Consider the current bailouts and other games a foot these days while watching. There is nothing better than a crisis as a pretext for the exercise of power.
