Did 'The West Wing' use political consultants on the show much like procedural medical shows use doctors as consultants?
Or was the politics depicted in the show all based on research and Aaron Sorkin's past work?
Yes, they did use some consultants.
Lawrence O'Donnell, Eli Attie, Dee Dee Myers, Marlin Fitzwater, Patrick Caddell, Frank Luntz, Peggy Noonan and Gene Sperling were the ones who contributed the most to the show.