Alan Alda and Jimmy Smits

Ages 69, 49

Mustworthiness As presidential candidates Arnold Vinick and Matthew Santos, Alda and Smits double-handedly reinvigorated NBC's The West Wing. Their thrilling election plotline gave viewers a reason to care about a show that many had left for roadkill.

Poll Position Alda: ''I keep hearing all the time [from fans] that I'm gonna be president, but I don't want anybody to tell me.'' Smits: ''However it goes, the [loser] will still be around because we both signed for two seasons.''

Politically Direct Alda: ''The show is so smart, nobody ever says anything stupid. They can make an argument for pretty much anything in American politics.'' Smits: ''I've been told Wing is a big watercooler discussion in Governor Schwarzenegger's office, so when you hear something like that, it's nice to know you're making a difference.''

Taste for Campaign Smits: ''People say they are going to vote for me while others say, 'I don't know, that M*A*S*H guy looks pretty good to me.''' Alda: ''People ask if I'm going to be the next president and I tell them, 'I need your vote!'''

Next Smits is staying off his newly repaired knee (he had surgery in late May), while Alda performs on Broadway in Glengarry Glen Ross through Aug. 28, and releases his memoir, Never Have Your Dog Stuffed, Sept. 20. Both return to season 7 of Wing this fall.