All language subtitles for The.West.Wing.S06E22.WEBRip.x264-FGT

Previously on The West Wing:

KATE:
Something's gone wrong
with the International

Space Station.

Rescue options?

Did David ever mention
anything about

a non-civilian shuttle?

We have a
decision to make.

Greg Brock just released a story

about a classified military
space shuttle

that could be, but hasn't yet,
been sent up to rescue

those astronauts.

You wanted to talk?

I have a proposition.

Hard to say no
to the Vice Presidency.

You need to take the V.P. deal.

I'm sure there's things
that I could learn

from you just as
there are undoubtedly things

you could learn from me.

Mad at me?

Proud, I think.

LEO:
You are gonna do this

for us, for the President,

for your party.

Matthew Santos
has had a terrific

ride-- improbable, impressive,

and over.

MAN ( on TV ):
First task was accomplished
minus any melodrama.

Each of the three
main candidates

turned in their official
petitions for nominations

early this morning.

4,000 delegates swarming
the convention center can expect

to be casting their votes
between these three men

for the next few days

until a winner can be crowned

with the necessary...

WOMAN ( on TV ):
News vans from all over

the United States began

setting up along Harbor Drive
earlier this morning.

( overlapping voices )

LEO:
Networks want the balloting

to happen in prime time.
WILL:
What are we

supposed to do all day,
debate

the color of the confetti?
JOSH:
We do

issue segments that build up
the party, no matter who's...

WILL:
Wonder what issue Santos

to lead off with,
health care maybe?

JOSH:
Why don't we askthe 44 million
Americans who don't have any...

The ones who made it
the only issue

your guy polls higher...

We'll vote on the rules,
platforms, recognize

the delegations. Be lucky
to get it done by dinner.

What time is the President going
to speak tomorrow night?

He's not.

WILL:
Second-term
presidents

always speak on
the first night.

LEO:
The President's

a unifying figure,
we need the party

and the country to know

he supports
our nominee,

and he can't do that
until we have one.

Moving on.

Speaking order
before the first ballot.

WILL:
As the candidate
with the most delegates,

the Vice President
has earned the right...

Congressman Santos won almost
all of the final primaries.

There are three viable
candidates, and in the interest

of fairness...

Hoynes isn't in this thing.

We have almost
1,000 delegates.

JOSH:
956 isn't
almost 1,000.

WILL:
We have 1,677 delegates.

We won 25 states, which is why
we must, "in the interest

of fairness," be allowed...

25 small states.

New York is small?
Since when?

California, Texas, Florida,

Pennsylvania,
Illinois.

All for
Congressman Santos.

Enough!
We'll flip a coin.

Well, there are three of us.

A coin only has two sides.

LEO:
Draw straws, pick a
number out of a hat.

I don't care.

Annabeth will be handling
podium operations.

Please clear your speeches
four hours before...

WILL:
We have to clear
our speeches?

She approves everything
that goes on air

until we have a nominee.

What about our introductory
videos-- you're gonna

censor those, too?
No, because there aren't

gonna be any.
ANNABETH:
Networks hate them.

It's a free ad for
your candidates.

And please limit those speeches
to ten minutes.

Networks are threatening
to cut us off

at the two hour mark,

and we've got to get
into that second ballot

before they switch us
to Seinfeld repeats.

Anything else?

Yeah, I'd like to talk
about staff rooms.

Santos' is closer.

We have more delegates...

JOSH:
You drew the low card, dude.

You lost fair and square.

The candidate
with the most delegates ought

to have some sort of
acknowledgment.

JOSH:
How many ways do you think

he's gonna come up with

to work his delegate count
into this?

Hey, hey, hey!
Where are you on your

Vice Presidential
vetting?
Doing well.

We're almost there.
I'm fine.

LEO:
So, no dramatic,
last-minute

announcements on the horizon?

All right.

We want a nominee by the end
of tomorrow night, gentlemen.

We need the party united
behind a single candidate.

No attacks from the floor
or the podium.

No nasty squabbling on CNN.

This is the week
when we pull this party together

and show we can lead

with integrity and maturity.

Okay, the speaking order.

Rock, paper, scissors, on three.

One, two,

three.

Hoynes is speaking last?

Paper covers rock.

You and Russell were both,
you know, rocks.

Well, if it's going
to be Baker for VP,

why hasn't Russell announced it?

Probably want
to put more distance

between you turning him down
and Baker accepting.

Till they announce
Baker tomorrow?

Press conference
off-site after the first ballot,

Baker and Russell holding hands.

JOSH:
Hope it drums up enough
Hoynes delegates

on the second ballot.

Will it?

At least I
don't have to
give a speech

in front of
25,000 people.

More like 25 million.

Got to figure in
the television audience.

( loud mechanical whirring )

Wow.

Yeah.

I understand your frustration,

Mr. Secretary,
but I've conveyed...

It's weird out there-- it's
like we had a fire drill,

and everybody's still
out on the lawn.

A convention-- fire drill
without the fire.

Hutchinson upset?
Livid, and Senator
Weller's on his way

over here
to discuss "the situation."

Weller's gonna want
to hold hearings.

Well, he can't without tacitly
acknowledging the thing exists.

Secret hearings then.

C.J.:
Wouldn't stay secret for long.

Not around here,
at least.

He's ready.

If you own knee pads,
maybe an old hockey mask,

strap 'em on now.

...Astronauts
with roughly three days

of oxygen remaining...

A national security leak

during the Democratic
Convention?

Are we working for
the Republicans now?

They're gonna whack us
for the security leak,

then whack us again
for dithering

over saving the lives
of brave astronauts.

I've gotten calls
from the French,

the Russians,
the Chinese,

even the Lithuanians, irate,

demanding to know
if we're weaponizing space.

Senator Weller is here.

Now I've got Weller
in the lobby.

How much you
want to bet he's
going to demand

I appoint a
special prosecutor?

Sir, as long as we continue

to deny its existence,
it's just an unconfirmed story

in the New York Times.

Where's your
friend Greg Brock?

Sir, I don't think
it would be wise for you...

You better believe Weller
is going to subpoena him,

and he's gonna ask him
who his source was.

If we pull Brock's credentials,
this will seem bigger

than an unfounded rumor,
prematurely reported, that we...

It's a federal crime to divulge

classified
information.

You think Weller's
gonna pass up
an opportunity

to put a high-ranking
Democrat behind bars?

Greg Brock is gonna resist
any attempt to compel him

to reveal his sources...

Damn it, C.J.,
I've got three men

up there trying to take very,
very shallow breaths!

I want this leaker found by us.

What about somebody at NASA?

Kelwick maybe.
No, sir,
I can't imagine...

You don't have to imagine.

'Cause you're gonna find out--
you and Toby.

I want to know who it is
in this administration

who thinks their
opinion of how

I should handle this
situation matters
more than mine.

I want a name
on this desk by Friday.

Thank you, Mr. President.

JOSH:
All of Hoynes' delegates

are up for grabs
on the second ballot.

Arkansas,
North Carolina, Georgia,

Louisiana.

We need another 563 delegates
to put us over the top.

We gonna be able to hold
onto our own delegates

on the second ballot?

Chris, I want floor whips
with each delegation,

updates every 15 minutes--

who's wavering,
who needs a carrot,

who needs a stick.

Nobody goes to
the bathroom,

we don't know about it.

Andrew, Alex-- keep your people

with the Hoynes delegates.

Bram, how's Stanton,
any progress?

Hoynes has been on the phone
all night telling Georgia

to sit tight
after the first ballot.

He's spinning a scenario
where the convention deadlocks,

swings back to him
as the voice of experience.

RONNA:
We're getting a lot of requests

for a comment
on this leak story.

The space station thing?

Congressional Republicans
are trying to make some rain.

No comment. White House

can carry the rain water
on that one.

NED:
If Russell announces Baker
as his VP,

how do we prevent a stampede
to Russell on the second ballot?

By getting Hoynes
to throw his support behind us.

Why would he do that?

Only thing Hoynes
would hate more

than Matt Santos getting
the nomination is Bob Russell

getting the
nomination.

"Santos-- you hate him less."

Look, none of the
talking heads thought

that we would
get this far.

It ain't over till it's over.

That's it. Thank you very much.

Ronna, you get the
delegate breakdown

for the Northeast?
Yeah.

You're looking
for stray Atkins delegates

ripe for the picking.

That is, if they're not too busy

stuffing canapés
into their pockets.

Nice. Can I quote you

when we're trying
to get 'em to vote for us?

They're only here
to grunt and cheer

and stomp their
feet at every cheap
applause line.

They're completely
out of step

with the voters we
need in the fall.

Well, they're gonna pick
our nominee.

Four years ago,
two thirds of the
delegates wanted

to cut defense
spending.

Even Democratic
voters don't want
us to touch it.

Delegates were split
on the death penalty.

Democrats favor
it two to one.

You don't think

they're qualified
to do the job?

The job as previously
constituted was to clap

and wave noisemakers
for five hours straight.

So, the delegates sole purpose
is to pick our party's nominee?

Yeah, if you're leaving out
the, uh, part

about the little foam hats

in the shape
of the Hoover Dam, yes.

But we selected
them with no regard

for their ability
to perform that job?

Yeah. Did I mention
that we have a hell

of a balloon drop
planned for Thursday?

Thank you.
I'll be back in an hour.

Wait. Convention's gonna start
any minute.

Where are you going?
To beg an old friend.

HOYNES:
Hey, Josh, sorry
to keep you waiting.

I got stuck on a call.

Nice to see you, sir.

Want some watered-down
coffee or something?

I ordered breakfast,

but I didn't get a
chance to eat anything.

No, thanks.

So, I heard your guy
turned Russell down.

I would have loved
to have been a
fly on that wall.

( laughs )

Bet Bob had a heifer, huh?

I'm glad you did.

That kept me alive.

So, Russell's going
to announce Baker

as his VP tonight, huh?

That's the rumor.

Guy's got a hell of
a nerve, floating VPs

before he has
the nomination.

Hubris.

Ask Odysseus
how that worked out.

He offer it to you?

Why, are you here
to make an offer?

No, sir, I'm not.

You know, Larry King's
booker calls my delegates

ten times a day, asking
who they're going to vote for.

And you know what they tell her?

That they're voting for you.

What do you want, sir?

What you got?

Bob Russell doesn't
get the nod.

Spoiler?

Savior.

Save the party from ruin.

You think Matt Santos
can beat Arnie Vinick?

I know Bob Russell can't.

But I can.

That's not going to happen, sir.

Couple of
deadlocked
ballots,

the party faithful
are going to panic.

Your political life is over.

It was over the day you resigned
the Vice Presidency.

I don't care what

they're saying to Larry King.

Your delegates
are going to rush

to the nearest lifeboat
after the first ballot.

Hey, don't sugarcoat it
for me, Josh.

I can take it.

And there's not going
to be a cabinet post

or an ambassadorship
coming your way, either.

Your indiscretions saw to that.

But your years
of governmental service,

your connections and experience

can be invaluable
to the party and to the country.

As what, a lobbyist?

Party elder,

power broker.

It's a role I can guarantee you
in a Santos administration,

and I doubt

that you can say the same
about a Russell administration.

So Santos sent you here
with nothing.

No, he doesn't know I'm here.

You've had a long
and distinguished career, sir.

Wouldn't you like
to see your name

just one more time
in the history books

without the word "scandal"
after it?

Yeah, I'm still here.

( sighs ):
Is he in the hotel yet?

He was supposed
to be here by now.

Yes, thanks.

Hey, Bill, how
was the flight?

Great. You guys
on your way over?

Baker here yet?

Will's talking to Hollofson now.

Yeah, sure.

I-I understand, but...

Right.

Call you back.

Baker wants to talk.

Again?

About what?
Hollofson
didn't say.

Said Governor Baker's
been thinking.

Thinking?! The damn balloting
starts in two hours!

I suspect he knows that, sir.

( sighs )

How long till I have
to leave for the speech?

40 minutes.

All right, let's
get Hamlet over here.

See what doth trouble
his mind this time.

( knock at door )

How's your speech?

Short.

Well, people
like pith.

Then they're gonna love it.

I went over the VP list again.

You should take another look.

Nothing on Russell
and Baker?

Baker flew in
this afternoon.

Yeah, they had it on CNN.

Looked like a Papal visit.

The fawning masses awaiting
a humble blessing.

I went to see Hoynes.

You offer him anything?

No. I-I asked him

to throw his support to you.

He say no?
No.

He said yes?

No. He's thinking about it.

( knock at door )

We need to leave
for the Convention Center,

Congressman.
Okay.

He's thinking about it, huh?

Yeah.

So, you coming?

Yeah, I wouldn't miss
it for the world.

Mr. Secretary,

the great State of California

casts 440 votes
for Congressman Matt Santos!

California Chair
says they'll stick with us

through the second ballot.

What about Baker?

SECRETARY:
Ms. Chairwoman,

I have 440 votes
for Congressman...

They're nervous.

If the convention
starts to move to Russell,

they don't want
to be left behind.

CALIFORNIA CHAIRWOMAN:
Yes, Mr. Secretary.

What? I didn't get that.

Tell Thurman they stick with us,

Matt Santos is going
to make it his life's work

to bring the next generation

of fixed wing fighters
to Long Beach.

You want me to promise him
a defense contract?

I don't care if you promise him
half the Pentagon budget,

just get him to stick with us
through the third ballot!

Still nothing from Hoynes?

No. You want me to try him?

No.

COLORADO CHAIRWOMAN:
The State of Colorado

casts 63 votes
for our native son,

the pride of the Western Slope,

Colorado's own
Vice President Bob Russell.

Get me Connecticut!

CHAIRMAN:
I have 63 votes

for Vice President
Robert Russell.

KATE:
Any surprises?

Still on
the first ballot.

Did you hear
Russell's speech?

Yeah.
It was pretty good.

Will still has a few teeth
in his head.

I spoke to the AG.

He's sending over a team
of agents in the morning.

FBI?

We have to interview

over 100 people.

You planning on doing it
all by your lonesome?

They're going to
start with NASA, DOD,
some of my people.

I put together

a list of West Wing staff

who have code word or might have
had access to the information.

We don't have
to like it,

but the President
was very clear.

They're going to need
phone records, fax records,

email logs, notes, date books.

DNA swab? Polygraph?

It's a felony.

Someone's going to end up

spending ten years
in a federal prison.

Russell announce
Baker yet?

Not yet.

Russell-Baker--
it's not a bad ticket.

SECRETARY:
Mr. Chairman,

I have 121 votes

for Vice President
Robert Russell.

Is that correct?

Thank you.

Massachusetts?

How much longer?

Maybe 30 minutes.

Then what?

Then they start
the second ballot,

and my hairline recedes
about three inches.

DONNA:
What are they doing
in there?

WILL:
No idea,

but I sure as hell hope
they do it fast.

RUSSELL:
I'm sorry,
Eric, uh...

I thought we'd worked
all of this out.

I've had a number
of variables to weigh

over the last few days.

"Variables"?

You wouldn't believe

the calls
I've been getting.

Suggestions, advice.

Suddenly,
everyone has an opinion.

Want to hear my opinion?

Of course.

You and I
will make

a hell of a team.

With my strength
in the Midwest and West

and yours in the Northeast,

we're going to give Vinick
and Sullivan a hell of a race.

That's not what the polls say.

Republicans
always get

a bump from their convention.

The polling
will come back to Earth

once the folks hear our message.

Let's put on our jackets

and go make an announcement
that'll unite the party

and start us on the road
to victory this fall, hmm?

That's a very attractive offer,
Mr. Vice President.

It's very attractive.

Why don't we both sleep on it,
see where we are in the morning?

WILL:
What happened?

RUSSELL:
He wants to
sleep on it.

We'll be on the third
or fourth ballot...

Yeah, and I think
he's aiming to be on it.

The son of a bitch
doesn't want to be VP.

He's going to try and get
nominated from the floor.

It is 9:50 on the East coast.

Over an hour
of just calling names?!

Democracy in action.

More like agriculture
in action--

like watching grass grow.

Second ballot won't be.

When's that going to start?

Soon as we finish
the first ballot.

We cut
to regular programming,

come back
after the local news--

you'll just
be getting going.

You don't think you owe it
to the American public...

These are
public airwaves.

The public deserves to see...

It's called cable,
and they can deserve it there.

Leo, we're getting
reports from the floor.

Somebody's passing out
hundreds of Baker placards.

Think you guys
might want to stay on air

to hear Russell announce Baker
as his Vice President?

They're "Draft
Baker" signs.

They're going
to try to put Baker

on the second ballot.

You want to cut to Law and Order
now, Susan, be my guest.

Get me Pennsylvania!

What the hell is happening?

Baker's throwing
his hat in the ring.

He can do that?
He just did.

Where's Branigan?

His line's busy.

Keep trying.

RONNA:
I have Clark
on line six.

JOSH:
Not now.

Someone get the
Congressman a phone

and a list of
delegates, please.

Pennsylvania swings to Baker,
we lose what, 170 delegates?

178. Where in the name

of all that is holy
is Pennsylvania?!

Branigan's line

is still busy.

Where you going?

To find the Pennsylvania chair
and nail him to a Santos sign!

I'm not trying to be the savior
of the Democratic Party.

Frankly, I don't think this is
about the Democratic Party.

I think it's about
the American citizens.

Santos loses
Pennsylvania to Baker,

we probably lose Massachusetts,

Maryland,
Rhode Island.

New York?
Yeah,

maybe.

Santos lose Florida?
No, not yet.

Hispanic delegates are going
to want to stick by Santos

for at least another ballot.

That puts us down...

Believe me, I'm as surprised
as everybody here.

It's quite flattering,

but frankly,
I've always been a guy

who's served this party
when asked, and if it's...

WILL:
Sir.

...of the delegates
that I should be

the presidential
nominee...

Mr. Vice President,
Baker's going to take

most of our delegates
in the Northeast.

How many?

500, give or take.

Georgia, North Carolina,
Tennessee, Washington State.

The Hoynes people
will be running for cover.

I need you on
the phones now.

BAKER:
All we need

is a united force,

and I think that's
what I have to offer

as President of
the United States.

ABBEY:
Thought you were
coming to bed.

The convention's
still going on?

They haven't finished
the second ballot yet.

What are they doing?

Eating their young.

Baker? Eric Baker.

When did he get into this?

About two hours ago.

It's a free-for-all.

I think Aaron Burr
has got 20 votes.

Yeah, find me Leo McGarry,
please.

Well, that's not going
to happen.

No, absolutely not.

Baker is not going
to do

what Matt Santos is going
to do for New Jersey.

I have been to Illinois

ten times in the
last two months.

Can Bob Russell say that?

Baker got Massachusetts!

JOSH:
You can't
promise that!

Ann. Ann. Ann, you are not going
be left at the altar.

You're going to be
wearing satin at
the Elvis Chapel.

JOSH:
Yes!

You won't regret it, Ann.

You won't regret it.

No, you won't, I promise.

We still have New Jersey!

New Mexico's
okay for now.

SANTOS:
Tennessee's
leaning Baker,

but Russell's
working them hard.

What about
New York?

It's going Baker for sure.
I can call Tandy.

Tandy isn't running it.

Ernie Gambelli is.
Who's Gambelli?

He's with the teachers union.

Uh, North Carolina?

Somebody get me Pete Collins!

Mr. Secretary,
New York casts 284 votes

for Governor Eric Baker.

With due respect sir,

John Hoynes is no
longer in the race.

Bob Russell has always been

a friend
to the mine workers.

Did you look
at Eric Baker's record?

( all talking at once )

He absolutely supports
retaliatory action

on foreign
dumping.

RUSSELL:
You don't know
a damn thing

about what he'd do
as President.

Tennessee?
Maybe.

We got Mississippi.

Where are we?

Uh, we lost 536,
picked up 285.

Santos lost 236,
hasn't picked any up.

Baker got our 536.

178 from Santos.

Looks like he's going
to get

another six or seven states
from Hoynes.

So, we're still in first?
Yeah, but not by much.

Hey, we're still breathing.

Leo McGarry wants to see us.

We're going to be deadlocked
on the second ballot.

It's 3:00 A.M.
on the East coast.

Networks
want us to recess,

start
the third ballot

tomorrow evening
in prime time.

I think
they're right.

We're not getting anywhere
tonight.

Will we have a chance

to address the delegates
tomorrow?

Some of us haven't
done that yet.

Yes.

So, we're agreed then?

The President is
flying out tomorrow,

hoping to address
the convention

on Wednesday
when we have our nominee.

And please, gentlemen,
we need a nominee.

So, please,
somebody talk to somebody

and figure
this mess out

before the President
gets here

and is forced
to pick sides.

One night of this
is entertaining.

Two nights, we look like idiots.

SECRETARY:
...363 votes.

Governor Eric Baker has

1,341 votes.

Vice President John Hoynes
has 102 votes.

As 2,162 votes are required

to nominate, Mr. Chairman,
we do not have a nominee.

They always come in twos,

like they just
got off the ark.

They need two,
so one can serve

as a witness
for the other.

A witness?

Lying to an FBI agent's
a federal crime.

To convict, you got
to have a witness.

Special Agent Hansen.
Kate Harper.

Toby Ziegler.
This way please.

HUTCHINSON:
NASA maintenance has been
working around the clock,

but they're still
at least two weeks away

from either of their civilian
shuttles being ready to launch.

Commander Harper will be
in as soon as she can.

Air Force Space Command
can launch from Vandenberg

at 2100 hours tomorrow night.

They rendezvous
with the station,
make the repairs

and leave the astronauts there

until NASA can get
a shuttle up to get them.

And what do we tell the press?

That they were able
to make the repairs themselves.

And the Russian?

( door opens )

Uh, Marine One
is waiting, sir.

Thank you.

When do I have
to give the go?

If you don't launch tomorrow,

we can't get there in time.

DONNA:
Where'd the Vice President go?

He went to the hotel
to try and sleep.

What happened to your voice?

I think it was
screaming at Dave Wilson

for about an hour.

Maybe it was yelling
at Steve Kent.

Feel like I just rerecorded
Rod Stewart's back catalogue.

Indiana?
Yeah.

Michigan is wavering.

( grunts )

Told Roth we'd double

the State's Superfund
clean-up sites,

stump like crazy
for down-ticket races,

even hinted at
a sub-cabinet appointment.

( sighs )

Baker's picking up
momentum too fast.

I don't know if we can
make it to the fourth ballot.

Maybe we should reapproach
Josh about the VP spot.

Russell-Santos
might be looking

pretty good about now.

Maybe Josh should approach us.

Santos-Russell's looking
pretty good to me about now.

RONNA:
Hey. I thought
you were going

back to the hotel
for a shower.

Uh, CNN called.

They want to set up a debate

with the Congressman,
Russell and Baker

for this afternoon.

Live, on air.

Why would we do that?

Hey.

Hey.

We can't win
without the teachers.

Pennsylvania's gone,

Baker's picking up steam
down south.

Russell's got us boxed in
out West.

We get the teachers,

we get New York,
most of New England,

maybe even Ohio, too.

BRAM:
Teachers unions hate us.

I got to get Gambelli.

Is that a clean shirt?

Gimme.

Start calling every one
of our state delegations again.

They're probably
still sleeping.

Well, wake them up.
New Jersey first,

Ann Matlock was
getting hinky.

And tell her what?

Tell her they stick with us,

this time next year there'll
be a whole lot of people

at the Department of Interior
humming "Thunder Road."

We're gonna start
offering jobs

for delegate votes now?

What do you want?
A handful of cranky delegates

on the Farm Service payroll,

or all of us doing
primary research

on Delaware welfare reform?

Get dialing.

GAMBELLI:
Teachers for Matt Santos?
You kidding me?

Ernie.
!
11 percent of
the delegates

are from teachers unions.

Yeah, look...

Teachers unions are
to the Democratic Party

what Bibles and bunting
are to the Republicans--

essential, non-negotiable.

Ernie, we've known each other

a long time.
So what the hell
makes you think

you can come in here

and ask for our help

when Matt Santos wants
to end teacher tenure?

Our school system's in crisis.

We've got teachers

who aren't trained
in the subjects they teach.

We've got teachers
who are only showing up

to pick up a check.
Raise salaries,

you can recruit
better people.

I'm admitting their
salaries can be better.

Santos wants higher salaries,

he wants more teacher training.

We're all for that.

With nothing in return?

You were using us as

a political punching bag.

Grab a few quick editorials

while you were trying
to suck in enough oxygen

to make it through
New Hampshire.

There is pressure
for change, Ernie,

and not just from editorials.

We can work together.

We can raise pay
and raise standards

at the same time,

and it'll stop something
more drastic, more punitive...

Than ending teacher tenure?

Than doing it
with nothing in return,

which'll be Vinick's tack when
he whips Russell in the fall.

Santos can give Vinick
a run for his money

in California, Texas,
Florida, New York, Illinois.

Bob Russell can't,
Eric Baker can't.

Well, since we're talking
about something in return,

you want a single one
of our teacher delegates

to support Santos,

get him to drop this crazy
assault on teacher tenure,

and get him
to do it today.

TOBY:
Thought you were

on Air Force One
with the President.

Catching a flight
this afternoon.

You finish his speech?
Yeah.

Gave up trying to tailor it
to a nominee.

One size fits all.
Insert name here.

If they can find
someone who isn't

"a bold fighter for
America's families,"

I'll buy every delegate
in the place a whiskey sour.

You need to start on a couple
of POTUS speeches for Friday.

Space station?

NASA can't get the shuttle up
in time for a rescue.

What about the Pentagon?

( knocking )

The FBI is ready for you
in the Roosevelt Room.

I'll be right in.

You gonna take a lawyer?

I don't need a lawyer.
You should take one.

Get one from counsel's office.

I'll be fine.

You said a couple of statements?

One if the President
decides to save them,

one if he doesn't.

RONNA:
You find Gambelli?

Yeah.

NED:
Indiana and Michigan
are going for Baker.

It's all over CNN.

RONNA:
Is it over?

Josh.

You should take a look at this.

MATT:
Thanks, Gil.

No, really.

I appreciate it, thanks.

Did you tell Ned

to offer New Jersey
delegates federal jobs?

Did you hear the rumors
about Baker's wife?

Do we know if these people

are even remotely qualified?

Do they even have
high school diplomas?

We're not violating any laws.

Avoiding prosecution

isn't the standard
that I was shooting for.

You think none of
the young turks

working
on our campaign staff

are doing it
because they want jobs?

Think none of your donors

are gonna want a meeting
on the lifting

of some trade embargo that'd
make them millions of dollars?

What about Baker's wife?

The rumors, have
you heard them?

The depression?

It's like the gay brother
and the illegitimate child,

every politician
gets these rumors.

They come with
the orientation kit.

Not every politician gets

hospital admittance
records to go with it.

Dotty Baker was
admitted twice

for clinical depression.

Where'd you get this?

Came in over the fax.

Look, I don't think
depression's anything
to be ashamed of,

but there's a reason
we make presidents

disclose the
illegitimate kids--

And you want me
to do the blackmailing?

You've been at 40 primaries.

You've been vetted by
the public and the press,

maybe people ought to get
a crack at Baker, too.

His wife isn't
running for anything.

She gets to live
in the building.

Be all kinds
of classified information

sitting on her end table.

We're afraid that she's gonna
sell them for some Zoloft

on the corner
of 16th and D?
You want this to come out

today or two days from now
when he's our nominee?

I'm not doing it.

President Bartlet
didn't reveal his MS

during the campaign,

another hidden illness
plays right into the...

I am not doing it!

I went to see Ernie Gambelli.

Would you rather flip-flop
on teacher tenure?

'Cause we are one nail
in the coffin away from dead.

WILL:
She's been on anti-depressants
for seven years.

He never mentioned it

when we vetted
him for VP.
Was he supposed to mention

every Advil she took
in the state house?

It's Bartlet's MS
all over again.

We can't leak this.

It's clinging to 18th century
stereotypes of mental illness.

Why not attack her for
having consumption?

It's not the depression;
it's his failure to disclose it.

Will, this isn't
a quick hit

on some 15-year-old piece
of telecom legislation.

It's a brutal character
assault on a man's wife

for an eight-hour story that'll
be over by tomorrow night.

We're not trying to be
judge and jury--

we get it out there,
let the delegates decide

how important it is.

Don't do this.

The Vice President
will do it

if you tell him to.

Please.

Eight hours keeps us alive
through another ballot.

REPORTER:
So, after the third ballot,

the Democrats
are still deadlocked.

How much impact do you think

today's revelations about
Dorothy Baker's mental health

had on her husband's bid
to capture the nomination?

REPORTER 2:
It must have had some,

because six hours ago,

it seemed as if we were headed
for a Baker coronation.

But this wasn't so much

about her mental health

as about his failure
to disclose it.

Having avoided the rigorous
vetting process

in the primary elections,

voters can't help but wonder:
What else is Baker hiding?

Josh.

( firmer ):
Josh.

When's the last time
you slept in a bed?

Overnight ratings came in.

52 million last night.

Who knew if we set our hair
on fire and jumped up and down

people would actually
tune in to watch.

You done good, kid.

The President?

Yeah.

He's got to put a stop to this.

One more primary...

we would have had it.

Peaked a little
late, I guess.

He's not going to do it
just because I say so, Leo.

He's his own man.

And here I thought
I found the last one.

It's incredible,
isn't it?

You ever think
you'd get this far?

Honestly?

No, I didn't.

You have to quit,
Congressman.

We have to unite
behind a candidate.

Four times as many people
will be watching tonight

as watched Vinick
at the Republican Convention.

We need these last days
to put our message

before the American people.

You think either of them
can beat Vinick in the fall?

Who knows?

But you step aside
for the good of the party,

people won't forget.

The President and I
won't let 'em.

Will I have a
chance to address

the convention again?

Of course.

So, is he going to step aside?

LEO:
I think so.

ABBEY:
For Baker
or Russell?

He's hard to read.

A sitting VP should've
kicked ass in the primaries.

Vinick's going to mop up the
floor with Russell in November.

VPs are famous but unknown.

He'll do better
once he's outside my shadow.

Speaker forced you
to nominate Russell

Baker's a strong
candidate.

This thing with his wife
will blow over.

Isn't it time
you picked

the successor you
want, Mr. President?

Should you really
be leaving this
up to Matt Santos?

Sure you don't want me
to take a look at the speech?

I'm fine.

I'm pretty good
at it...

Josh...

It's been a great ride.

What do you say
we try it again sometime?

You just pick up the phone.
I'll be there.

ANNOUNCER:
Ladies and gentlemen,

from the great state of Texas...

( audience cheering)
Congressman Matthew Santos!

CROWD ( chanting ):
Santos! Santos! Santos!

( chanting continues )

Thank you.

Okay!

Thank you.

You know, I'd hoped
to be standing here tonight

under very different
circumstances,

and I have been asked

by people that I respect

to take this opportunity
to support

one of the other fine candidates
who have made

this race with me...
CROWD:
No!

...to help decide
who our nominee will be...

but I can't do that.
( crowd cheering )

I can't do that
because it's not my place

to decide who our nominee
should be.

That decision is yours
and yours alone.

( cheering )

You know, there's been
a great deal made today

of Governor Baker's decision

not to disclose his wife's
minor medical condition.

Many people believe
that he should have,

but I don't believe
Governor Baker failed

to disclose it because he was
ashamed or embarrassed.

I think he didn't disclose it

because we're the hypocrites,
not the Bakers.

Because we're all broken--
every single one of us--

and yet we pretend
that we're not.

We all live

lives of imperfection,
and yet we cling

to this fantasy
that there's a perfect life

and that our leaders

should embody it, but if we
expect our leaders to live

on some higher moral plane
than the rest of us,

well, we're just asking
to be deceived.

( crowd applauding
and cheering )

Now, it's been suggested
to me this week

that I should try
to buy your support

with jobs
and the promise of access.

It's been suggested to me

that party unity
is more important

than your democratic rights
as delegates.

( audience shouting )

That's right-- it's not,

and you have a decision to make.

Don't vote for us

because you think we're perfect.

Don't vote for us

because of what we might
be able to do for you only.

Vote for the person
who shares your ideals...

( audience cheering )
your hopes, your dreams.

Vote for the person
who most embodies

what you believe we need to keep
our nation strong and free.

And when you have done that,

you can go back to Seattle

and Boston, to Miami, to Omaha,

to Tulsa and Chicago

and Atlanta
with your head held high,

and say, "I am a member
of the Democratic Party."

( wild cheering and applause)

CROWD ( chanting ):
Santos! Santos! Santos!

( chanting continues )

See if you can find Josh, huh?

This is a
waste of time.

He's virtually
anti-teacher.

Making me sit down with
your guy isn't going

to change my mind...
Who said you were
sitting down

with my guy?

( knocking )

Mr. President.

You remember
Ernie Gambelli

from the
teachers union?

PRESIDENT:
Please, come in.

How do you do, sir?
Good. How you doing?

Mr. Secretary, New York casts
284 votes for Congressman

Matt Santos!

( cheering and applause )

Mr. Chairman, I have 284 votes
for Congressman Matthew Santos.

Hey, what are you doing here?

You ought to be
down on the floor,

celebrating
with your guys.

We still got to
line up a VP.

You ask Baker?

Yeah, he begged off.

Doesn't want to put
his wife through it.

I'm guessing Russell isn't

on the short list.

That was a non-starter
with the Congressman.

Want me to help you
work up a list?

No. We've got it narrowed down
to the guy we want.

I'm just not sure
if he's going to accept.

You want the
President

to pick up the phone,
push your guy along?

I called
the President.

He told me
he'd kick the guy's ass

all over the schoolyard
if it came to that.

So, who is it?

You.

SECRETARY:
...And Congressman
Matthew Santos with 2,751 votes!

We now have a nominee!

You think Santos stands
a chance

against Vinick
in the fall?

He's going to
get killed.

It wasn't Kelwick.

Who?

From NASA.
He wasn't the leak.

Nobody over there was.

Too many of the technical
details were off.

You didn't have to close
the door to tell me that.

No. The FBI thinks it came
from inside the West Wing.

They have a theory.

One you're not going
to like.

ABBEY:
You all right?

I'm okay today,
really.

ANNOUNCER:
Ladies and gentlemen,

the President
of the United States!

( crowd cheering and whistling)

PRESIDENT:
Thank you.

It's been an honor to serve you
for the past eight years...

CROWD ( chanting ):
Four more years!
Four more years!

PRESIDENT:
And now it gives me
a great pleasure

to introduce to you,
the leaders of our party,

and the next President
and Vice President

of these United States,
Matthew Vincente Santos

and Leo Thomas McGarry!

( cheering, whistling
and applause )

Okay. Let's go win this thing.