We're simply pretending to believe that Bush exhibited unspeakable courage at the World Series by throwing out the first pitch

Aaron Sorkin

"The media is waving pompoms, and the entire country is being polite," he said.

NBC, the network which makes The West Wing, has defended the writer's right to make the comments.

"Obviously we respect Aaron's right to say whatever he thinks," said Jeff Zucker, president of NBC Entertainment.

'Illusion'

"We would never get in the way of his right to speak his mind," he added.

The programme is one of the most popular and critically-acclaimed in recent years, depicting the fictionalised workings of the president's inner sanctum, with Martin Sheen playing the role of the US leader.

In the article, Mr Sorkin said: "That illusion may be what we need right now, but the truth is we're simply pretending to believe that Bush exhibited unspeakable courage at the World Series by throwing out the first pitch, or that he, by God, showed those terrorists by going to Salt Lake City and jumbling the first line of the Olympic ceremony."

George Bush was praised for his leadership

Mr Sorkin also criticised a NBC show, The Bush White House: Inside the Real West Wing.

He called the programme, hosted by NBC chief news anchor Tom Brokaw, a "Valentine to Bush" for making the president look good.

"Aaron and Tom spoke last night," Mr Zucker said. "Aaron apologised for getting that wrong."

Last year Mr Sorkin entered a drug treatment clinic instead of serving time in prison for possession of cocaine and hallucinogenic mushrooms.