I have watched the first 4 episodes of Season Three of House of Cards. I have seen the smooth Russian Putin dance with the First Lady and break the heart of Frank Underwood. I have seen tough younger women and a distinguished Hispanic Republican seek to win the White House in 2016 but I have not seen any economists on the show. Its creators have chosen not to have a Larry Summers or an Austan Goolsbee type figure play a prominent role. I must ask; "why"? Permit me to offer some possible plot lines for the economists.
Shouldn't a Cambridge, MA economist argue strenuously that the nation should raise gas taxes now and President Underwood could shoot him down on why this would never work? President Underwood has talked about entitlement reform on many occasions. Should Prof. Larry Kotlikoff of BU make his debut on the show? Should Casey Mulligan and Jon Gruber make an appearance debating health care reform's intended and unintended consequences. The President could be asked to mediate a debate between Democrats seeking to expand early pre-K investments for poor kids. Such Democrats would have James Heckman present his case to the President while Republicans would counter that this will merely expand the budget and enhance the teachers unions. Could a Larry Summers type character play a type of Henry Kissinger under Nixon and achieve too much fame and influence so that President Underwood has to chop him down to size? Could an independent head of the Fed state to the nation that President Underwood's Keynesian expansion of "jobs for all" is crazy stuff? Could Underwood bring in Paul Krugman for a cameo appearance to counter the wise head of the Fed (who would be played by Oliver Stone). Could Charlie Sheen be utilized as a crazy economist whose ideas are influencing President Underwood? Could the First Lady become enchanted with Tomas Piketty and this creates an international issue with France? Jeff Sachs could have a cameo as he makes his case to the President for how to help the developing world grow. Underwood's true thoughts could emerge and a serious debate might emerge. A Chicago economist such as Kevin Murphy should be in the room to play "bad cop". This might be a "teachable moment". Would people watch that scene?
So, are you beginning to see the possibilities here?