Original subtitles

Previously on The West Wing:

WILL: Russell is on his way to being

the nominee, and God willing, our next President.

So get on board or get out of my way.

JOSH: You're too good at this.

You can't just walk away.

Watch me.

C.J.: Deputy Special Assistant

to the Chief of Staff.

I'm sorry? Come work for me. The President can't

miss you if you haven't really gone.

JOSH: Mr. Vice President, have you

been having an affair with Helen Baldwin

while here at the White House? Yes.

LEO: If we're gonna weather this, then we're gonna...

HOYNES: We're not gonna

weather this. I'm resigning.

You can tell the President he doesn't

have to worry about the book. I'm not

gonna try to make him look bad. Am I going to be in the book?

Yeah.

I'd prefer not to be.

HOYNES: Sure, the book is an apology-- to my family

and to the American people for past mistakes--

but it's also

a statement of principles,

a summary of where

I think we are as a nation and where we could be.

And where is that, Mr. Vice President?

Well, you know, Diane, this country still faces

very serious tests both at home and abroad.

Public education,

health care, uh,

the outsourcing of jobs--

these are major problems ( sighing )

that require serious thinking,

and then on the international front, we-we...

Mr. Vice President, I hate to interrupt,

but are you saying we're on the wrong track?

No, absolutely not, Diane. No, I think

that President Bartlet has done tremendous work.

And you bear no ill will towards

the present administration?

No. No ill will towards the President or Leo McGarry, no.

I was just down in the East Room watching the run-through.

What are you reading?

Where'd you get that?

Will had a copy. Will gave it to you?

I borrowed it.

I'm sure it's illuminating.

I think this country has been run well the past seven years...

Want to know how many times you're mentioned? No.

Want to know how many times I'm mentioned? Not really.

Want to know how many times Josh is mentioned?

Where is Josh?

Josh, he's...

He'll be fine.

HOYNES: ...and I have written about them.

The vital vision for our future that we need to focus on...

Charles Young, look at that.

Made the effort to come back and visit the old man.

Mr. President, where's Curtis?

Who?

Curtis, your new bodyman.

Nice fella, Curtis, but he's no Charlie, Charlie.

Gotta tell you, he's no good

at tying a tie.

Sir, you know I can't tie a tie either.

Well, that makes three of us.

HOYNES ( on TV ): Really?

DIANE: Are you being coy, Mr. Vice President?

Absolutely.

You are going to ruin my reputation

for hard-nosed journalism.

Well, Diane, I'm just here to promote a book.

You've got a call.

Okay. Would you make sure we get Josh's notes

from yesterday's summit briefing with the foreign relations guys?

Donna already brought them. Good.

Who's on the phone?

The Vice President. Okay.

The former Vice President.

What's going on in here? What's taking so long?

PRESIDENT: Thank you, Charlie.

I couldn't tie my tie.

Yeah, I know that. Could we go now?

I would also like to find a way

to be involved in the ongoing pursuit of peace in that region,

and yes, Diane, I would like to return to public life.

I think I can make a contribution.

Thanks for coming, Josh.

You see the interview?

No.

Did you look at the book?

No.

Now, if you're gonna bust my chops, Josh, get it over with.

I have no idea why I'm here, Mr. Vice President.

Yes, you do.

Zao chen hao, Donnatella.

Whatever. You're early.

It's dinnertime in Beijing

and I'm just getting to the office.

Time is relative, at least

that's what we in the international arena say.

Uh-huh. You hear John Hoynes

is doing Diane Mathers tomorrow night?

Uh, yeah. Uh, the WTO file for the briefing on the China summit...

He's promoting his book.

Iowa's around the corner, 'tis about to be the season.

He called twice this morning.

I'm gonna need a converter for China,

and I can't find my garment bag.

I think Baggage Claim is in the next terminal over.

You used to love it

when I couldn't dress myself without you.

I used to love peppermint ice cream, too,

but now those little pieces of candy,

they get stuck in your teeth in a way that I find irritating.

MAN: The red carpet will be lined

with glowing paper lanterns

to represent the industrial core of the city.

And the mayor of Xian has requested permission

to present President Bartlet

with a golden key to the city.

We have no problem with that.

I understand

the President has expressed an interest

in the terra-cotta warriors that guard

the tomb of the Emperor Qin Shi Huang.

There are over 7,000 pottery soldiers and horses...

Pottery...

We understand the President

is a student of the Qin Dynasty.

Mm-hmm. We thought that...

Yeah, I-I'm sure he'd be delighted.

And now the menu for the morning's

welcome breakfast in Beijing... Of course.

And, uh... why don't you... go ahead and, um... do that.

What's this?

The nonproliferation briefing packet.

You're done?

I get extra credit for finishing early?

You want a gold star?

How about another assignment?

Let's see how you did on this one.

They're deliberating on breakfast in Beijing.

They're picking fortune cookies.

I always thought fortune cookies

were an American invention, like pizza and the Frisbee.

You have to get me out of there.

Can't do it, Rocko.

I have things to do.

Talk to Josh. I'm talking to you.

And I'm referring you to the man in charge of this little

venture to the Orient, Joshua Lyman. Perhaps you've met?

And I, magnanimous leader that I am, shrewd executive

and benevolent spreader of the wealth, I have chosen to delegate--

and you should get used to that word--

delegate the preparation and readiness of the China summit to Josh.

So, while technically you are correct with regard

to the organizational chain of command, insofar as this matter

is concerned... I can't believe you're making me go back in there.

Uh-uh, uh-uh, not I.

Josh.

You see how beautifully this works?

HARRIS ...'cause if we don't come home

with progress on the semiconductor

tariffs...

JOSH: We're gonna push China on

semiconductor tariffs, intellectual property rights,

textiles, shrimp, financial services...

Well, Josh, I think

I speak for all of us when I say

this summit seems to be in great shape.

Well, we're looking forward to it.

Thanks for your hard work. My pleasure, sir.

Thank you.

Thank you, Congresswoman.

What about Taiwan?

What about it?

They're gonna want to discuss the sale

of the 3-PC Orion sub hunting planes.

It's not on the agenda, Senator.

Ah, well, then I'm sure it won't be discussed.

We sell arms to Taiwan.

We will continue to sell arms to Taiwan.

It's not up for discussion.

At least not until we start pushing China

on weapons exports to Pakistan.

China's pledged to stop exporting weapons...

A pledge that they've ignored.

Along with their WTO commitments,

and their agreements on prison labor... Senator,

I'm not sure I see the point.

The point, ma'am, is,

the Chinese tend to welch on their markers,

and I don't want to see Josh here

offer up the farm in exchange

for more lies and empty promises.

I'll keep that in mind.

You know, the Democratic Party

hasn't been overrun by a bunch of panda huggers.

( wry chuckle )

Mr. Ziegler, we just have a few more items

to discuss and decide.

Now, let me see...

22, the guest list for the...

( cell phone chiming flute-like tones )

I thought cell phones weren't supposed to work in here.

They don't.

( speaking Chinese )

( speaking Chinese )

( speaking Chinese )

( door opens )

C.J.: How'd it go?

Fine. We're gonna want to go

over the intellectual property stuff.

Hunt gave you a hard time.

Yeah, but this was Harris and Haas.

What did Hunt want?

Hunt wanted to give me a hard time.

Guy brings a new meaning to the word "curmudgeon." Hey, I appreciate

you letting me carry the ball on this one.

One less ball I have to keep my eye on.

CAROL: Hey, we got a question from the gaggle

about a flag that the President received

during the National Prayer Breakfast this morning. A flag?

A... green flag from the Taiwanese delegation.

You're kidding, right?

Was that funny?

A green flag?

Green with a red flower.

No, no, no, no, no!

Josh?

The Chinese are gonna freak out.

Isn't the Taiwanese flag red and blue? Yes. No.

There is no Taiwanese flag.

There's the flag of the Republic of China commonly

used in Taiwan, which is red and blue.

The, the green one is the original flag

of the Taiwan Independence Movement.

The guys who want to hold a tea party in Taipei Harbor

and declare their independence from China.

Pretty much. So you can see how I might be mildly concerned

at the symbolism of the President

accepting their flag on the eve of a major summit with China.

Okay, I sound a little hysterical.

Just a touch.

So, we'll just give the flag back before anyone

( knock at door ) knows we had it.

Hey, I thought you were in with the...

They walked out.

The Chinese protocol guys?

They got a call from their embassy,

something about the National Prayer Breakfast

and a flag.

Margaret!

FIDERER: Counsel needs you to sign this

so we can retrieve the 25th Amendment letter

from your personal archives.

They want me to step down again?

You're loaning it out for an exhibit

at the National Constitution Center.

I solve Middle East peace,

fix Social Security, and they want the piece of paper

I used to remove myself from office.

It is the National Constitution Center.

Well, it's not like

the Smithsonian's beating down my door.

I'm sure they'll take a greater interest

in you once you're dead.

There's something to look forward to.

And these are the bios of the Medal of Arts winners

for tomorrow night's gala.

I heard there's going to be a tribute, a musical guest.

A surprise musical guest, actually.

I always loved Jerry Garcia.

If I'm not mistaken, he's unavailable.

Hence the surprise.

C.J. ( knocking ): Mr. President.

Thank God.

KATE: Sir, you were given a flag

by a member of the Taiwanese delegation this morning?

I seem to remember a stuffed ewe

and a bar of soap etched with a quote from the 42nd Psalm.

This was a green flag,

with red chrysanthemum in the center.

Sounds charming.

C.J.: Sir. I handed everything over

to my new bodyman, what's his name?

The new Charlie. Curtis Carruthers.

Not that the old Charlie could ever be replaced, of course.

Of course. Charlie. If he's worth anything, he's turned it over

to the Gifts Unit.

Okay. If it's in the Gifts Unit,

it's gotta be tagged, catalogued,

photographed and appraised.

Could be decades until you see

that thing again. We're gonna need it

a little sooner.

I'm on it.

How big a problem are we looking at?

KATE: The Chinese will make some noise,

ask for us to return the flag publicly.

What else?

A demand for a formal statement

that we do not support Taiwanese independence

and maybe tattoo "There's only one China" on all our foreheads.

Well, the tattoo's not an option. Thanks.

Sir, do you want me to bring in the Secretary of State?

Excuse me?

I just thought if you're reconsidering our policy on Taiwan...

Did I say that?

Sir, this type of thing, is right up your alley to...

C.J., I must have gotten enough trinkets

to buy back Manhattan this morning.

I honestly didn't see the damn thing!

Are we through?

Yes, sir.

Thank you, Mr. President.

Hello.

( bell ringing )

May I help you?

Bernard?

Yes. Welcome to my festoonery.

Where's Rose?

Rose, in what I assume was a clerical error

of some kind, was promoted.

And they transferred you to the Gifts Unit.

Apparently I am the new Rose.

There was a Taiwanese flag--

The Independentist's flag.

Nicknamed the eight chrysanthemum-petal flag,

rather unimaginatively, I'd say.

Yeah, have you seen it?

Oh yes. The flag itself is a magnificent specimen,

an original hand sewn relic

that was entered in the island-wide flag competition

and chosen over 186 other designs.

That was in 1994.

Of course, the color scheme seems more reminiscent

of the Taipei Holiday Inn, circa 1970.

I wouldn't repeat that to the Taiwanese.

I hadn't planned on it.

Is there anything else?

The President needs the flag back.

Oh, I'm afraid not.

Excuse me?

The flag is an historical artifact.

And its value is much higher than the reporting threshold

established by the GSA.

So?

When the President accepts

a gift of such value, it is deemed

to have been accepted on behalf of the United States.

But he shouldn't have accepted it in the first place.

Be that as it may, according to Chapter Five

of the US Code, Section 7342(c)

it is now the property of the American people.

I need that flag.

You're not suggesting I break the law?

No.

Well, then, I suppose we're in a bit of a pickle.

The Ambassador's here. TOBY: Yeah.

We're going to be conciliatory. Uh-huh.

Mea culpa, our bad. Got it.

We're going to hop right over this little... Josh.

What the...?

I must have missed this part

of the protocol meeting.

You were there, right?

I was in and out. I couldn't stomach

any more haggling over the nine-meat soup.

Nine-meat soup?

It was on the menu for the dinner in Shanghai.

Beef, chicken, pork...

You don't want to go there.

Gentlemen.

I think we should start by stating again

that the President wishes to convey his utmost apologies.

Let's not be troubled by simple misunderstandings.

Here is our statement.

It has been released to the press.

"Meddling in your internal affairs"?

You will return the flag?

Yeah. As soon as we locate it.

( clearing throat )

Yes.

Good. President Lian

hoped this would not interfere with our plans.

We're looking forward to a productive summit.

As are we.

As such, we know you will understand our need

for a few minor adjustments.

Adjustments?

So as to reiterate

the open friendship between our countries,

the President wishes to hold the Beijing welcome ceremonies

outdoors rather than indoors.

Okay.

He proposed that we move the summit

from the Great Hall of the People

to the Gate of Heavenly Peace.

TOBY: The Gate of Heavenly Peace.

In Tiananmen Square.

JOSH: You want to welcome

the President of the United States in Tiananmen Square?

Is there a problem?

C.J.: So that's the flag we got.

That's China.

What's this one?

Republic of China.

This is China, that's China... Republic of China.

People's Republic of China.

Banned in China used in Taiwan, used in China banned in Taiwan.

What's this one?

Taiwan's majority party.

So, which party flies the Taiwanese flag?

The Taiwanese flag, not so popular among the Taiwanese.

And they don't change the flag

because...? The Chinese would declare war.

Good reason.

These things come with a G.I. Joe set?

I play a lot of Risk.

They want to put Taiwan on the table. Okay.

The Chinese want to scrap half of the trade agenda

so we can discuss the U.S. role

in blocking Taiwan's independence movement.

Oh, and they thought it'd be fun to jump-start the summit

with a welcome bash in Tiananmen Square.

You're eating Chinese?

Lo mein?

Hunt already thinks

we're weak on China.

If the Taiwanese lobby gets hold of this...

It's too late for that. Senator Hunt's asked for floor time tomorrow.

He's floating a resolution urging the President

to display the green flag

in the lobby of the State Department.

Now that could be a problem.

TOBY: Why?

He's a cranky old man.

The Chinese are going to be that offended?

No... I mean, yes,

but the Chinese aren't my primary concern.

He starts saluting that flag on the Senate floor...

It could send a signal.

The Taiwanese start thinking it's time for a new flag,

a new name, a new anthem...

We got to shut him down.

What do you want to do?

Hang him by his thumbs and beat him with a pogo stick.

Josh.

Send Toby to the Chinese Embassy first thing in the morning.

With Kate.

Tell them this had nothing to do with us,

that Hunt's a nut job.

I'm going to phrase that a little differently.

Tell 'em they'll have their flag back by the end of the day

and once it's returned,

their little adjustments are off the table.

We spent two months

hammering out this agenda,

it's not going to get hijacked

by some flag waving jackass of a senator.

Josh, you're going to go see Hunt.

Yeah. And Josh...

Yeah, yeah, tone it down.

I guess I'll take this to go.

The visual of the President in Tiananmen Square?

Certainly not my first choice

for a photo op between the two presidents.

Let's figure out a way

to make it work, just in case.

So now I'm working for you now again?

Toby.

How are things going with China?

Great, really, just fantastic.

So the President has a photo op

in the Oval tomorrow night?

Something about the 25th Amendment?

The letter he signed to remove himself from power.

He's handing it over

to the National Constitution Center trustees.

The Vice President would like to be part of that ceremony.

Okay. Only, wasn't that,

you know, before the Vice President's time?

Well, technically.

Isn't this more of a Toby thing?

Isn't what more of a Toby thing?

The National Constitution Center ceremony tomorrow night.

No.

The Vice President would like to show his support.

He wants to horn in on Baker's photo op with the President.

He's coming in for that?

Baker's the Governor of Pennsylvania,

home of the National Constitution Center.

Also a former chairman

of the Board of Trustees.

And a future candidate for the presidency,

doing whatever he can

to get the implicit backing of the President.

Really? Hadn't thought of that.

Fins to the left,

fins to the right. Baker, Hoynes.

Yeah, Hoynes on Diane Mathers should be interesting.

That's it?

Yeah. Toby, the President assured us

we'd have his support.

We'll get Russell another photo op.

The hog lots bill is in conference.

The Vice President is not going to be...

You know what? Fine.

He didn't even flinch at that Hoynes stuff. I don't know why.

The guy's all over the news, I've been getting calls.

Yeah, he called me a couple of times.

He? I was talking about reporters.

Hoynes called you?

Yeah. I haven't called him back. I'm not interested.

Interested in what?

In anything having to do with John Hoynes.

( knocking )

C.J.: You're still here, Mr. President.

Yeah.

Sir, I think we should put in a call

to the American Institute in Taiwan.

Make sure Taipei doesn't get the wrong idea?

Yes, sir.

Go ahead and make the call.

I've always wondered why

they let me pick these guys every year.

Sir?

The honorees for the National Medals.

I mean, I enjoy a good cantata,

and Turner's landscapes send me over the moon,

but what the hell do I know about art?

You're the popularly elected

representative of the people of the United States.

Sure, but nobody told them I was going to be art critic in chief.

Thank goodness.

Sir?

You think they really knew what they were getting

when they pulled the lever?

I do, sir.

Yeah, okay.

Good night.

Good night, Mr. President.

You know it's ironic, Senator.

I've been expecting you, Josh.

I mean, here you are, trying to raise this flag, but six months ago,

when the President of Taiwan considered doing the same,

Taiwan's democratically elected parliament

passed a law to stop him.

I thought it was kind of sad, actually.

What's to be sad?

They're happy, they're free, they have the third-highest

standard of living in Asia. Who needs independence, huh?

They have it. In everything but name.

Is there another democracy

in the world whose leader

is not allowed to set foot in Washington?

That's a small price to pay.

And so was the stamp tax.

We support the suppression of a vibrant democracy

by a cruel dictatorship.

Come on, Senator, they're selling

Quarter Pounders in Shanghai, they've got thousands of satellite dishes

on the rooftops in Beijing, in a couple of years...

I understand the theory.

Commerce and culture, the gradual conversion

to the religion of capitalism and democracy.

China's a happy place, Taiwan goes free.

So, why stand in the way of something

that's inevitable...? When Patrick Henry said

"Give me liberty or give me death,"

you think he meant except for Wednesdays and Sundays?

Sir, you are jeopardizing

a very tolerable, evolving status quo.

The Chinese have 496 ballistic missiles pointed at Taiwan,

and I'm jeopardizing

the status quo? Yes.

Well, it's not what this country should stand for.

Why do you think the President accepted the flag

in the first place?

It was a mistake.

Jed Bartlet doesn't make mistakes.

Somebody has to stand up,

so I'm going to the Senate at 1:00 tomorrow.

Now, you're a smart guy.

If you're that worried, you'll figure out a way

to keep me off the floor

until you've given the flag back to the Taiwanese.

But refusing to support Taiwanese independence--

it's wrong.

And I think you know that I'm right.

( light opera playing )

( bell ringing )

( music stops )

Charles, I can't tell you how thrilled I am to see you again.

Yeah. So, it says here...

Did you pick out that tie?

Or is it government issue?

My sister bought me this tie.

The things we put up with for family.

Yeah, so in accordance with

the Foreign Decorations and Gifts Act,

the President has the option of buying back any gift

accepted on behalf of the United States.

Must we suffer through another round of capture the flag?

The President wants to buy it back.

Really?

Yeah.

Very well.

As I'm sure you know, the GSA

requires a commercial appraisal.

How 'bout you ballpark it for me.

Well, a flag of this nature,

it's very hard to put a sum on it.

But given its historical significance,

and the current set of circumstances

which no doubt would increase its worth,

I'd wager 20,000 to 30,000.

Dollars?

Hey.

Morning. How'd it go with Hunt?

He's still planning to speak at 1:00,

but I spoke with Congressman Harris.

Okay.

They're doing a quorum call at noon.

Harris stands up at quarter to 1:00,

and suggests the absence of a quorum.

A procedural roadblock.

Yeah.

How long can we keep Hunt off the floor?

Long enough to get that flag returned to the Taiwanese,

and make his resolution moot.

Great.

Yeah. Only it's the wrong call.

You think we should let Hunt speak.

His resolution's not going to pass.

He's not going to get the votes.

The President doesn't even have to acknowledge it.

I'm not arguing a retooling of the Monroe Doctrine.

But we let Hunt on the floor.

Let someone make the principled argument.

Run it by Kate and Toby.

If they're on board we take it to the boss.

MARGARET: * Come-a, come-a, come-a, come-a *

* Come, come

* Yeah, yeah, yeah

* Come-a, come-a, come-a, come-a *

* Come, come

* You'll come running to me-e-e-e... *

Morning, Margaret.

Good morning.

Excited about the Medal of the Arts ceremony? Very.

It's supposed to be a surprise musical guest.

You're worried I might give it away.

Maybe with the singing and the dancing. Right.

The President's in with Governor Baker?

The Governor just arrived. Good. Let me know

when Kate gets back from the Chinese embassy.

And find out where Charlie is on getting the flag back.

Do you have a favorite-- song?

Can't say that I do.

I've always liked "Jelly Man Kelly."

He's the one that likes jelly the most.

He likes it on toast.

Then there's Jenny Mulhenny...

Margaret. She...

Right. Mum's the word.

PRESIDENT: Governor Baker, welcome.

Busy day?

Always.

We've got the National Medal of the Arts gala tonight.

Is that the letter?

That is the letter that removed me from office.

I have to keep the one that put me back,

in case anyone starts asking questions.

Well, the museum will take precious care of it.

How do you like the old place?

It's, uh... humbling.

Believe me, it's worse from behind that desk.

There's a dagger that hangs from a thread

somewhere up there.

I would think the Secret Service

would do something about that.

Yeah. So, how are your numbers in Iowa?

Well, I haven't declared.

You're going to tell me

you don't have people in the field already?

Iowa and New Hampshire look very good.

RUSSELL: Gentlemen.

Mr. Vice President.

Bob, I didn't know you were joining us.

Oh, it's an historic moment. I wouldn't want to miss out.

Actually, the historic moment happened a couple of years ago, but it's

always good to see you. Mr. President, could I...?

Excuse me.

Mr. President, the museum wants this exhibit

to focus on the nobility and patriotism

that you demonstrated in invoking the 25th Amendment.

It's really kind of a tribute to your leadership

and the principled spirit of your presidency.

Vice President Russell, while a sterling leader in his own right...

You going to be a part of this photo op?

Well, as a trustee of the museum, I...

Yeah, well, I'm sure no one will mind if Bob sits in.

I mean, after all, he's sort of a trustee of this office.

Ladies and gentlemen, if you're ready?

You taking to wandering the hallways?

Hoping to absorb some wisdom.

Osmosis.

You here alone?

You sent Russell in

to crash the photo op.

Nice move.

I get why you're so worried about Baker,

but why not about Hoynes?

Hoynes has name recognition

and the most recent New Hampshire polls

still have him a good ten points behind us.

Same in Iowa?

He resigned in a sex scandal.

There's no way he comes back from that.

Sex isn't what it used to be. Even if that's true,

by the time he's back in the race,

we'll be so far ahead of him on money and endorsements...

Unless Baker's already knocked you out.

Why I'm not sleeping nights.

Josh said C.J. wanted a copy of the trade agenda. Okay.

So you know who's coming tonight?

It's a surprise.

Give me a hint.

I really shouldn't.

( with teeth clenched): "Jelly Man Kelly."

Who?

Can you get this out to the China team?

Hi. Hi.

That the trade stuff? Yeah.

Great. I'd love anything he's got on Taiwan.

Sure.

Is there an issue?

I mean, I know it's Josh, so there's always an issue...

No issue.

'Cause he's been working

really hard on this.

I'm just want to stay in the loop. Okay. But you know,

he's got everything under control. Yeah.

REPORTER: The rally began

late this afternoon... Except maybe that.

...when the leaders of Taiwan's independence movement,

waving the same type of green and red flag

that President Bartlet accepted yesterday, gathered...

Margaret, page Kate, get the CIA Director on the phone.

...Memorial Hall in Taipei City.

PRESIDENT: Okay, thank you,

ladies and gentlemen.

Thanks for coming in, Eric. Good to see you again.

My pleasure, Mr. President.

Bob, could I see you for a second?

Mr. President, I really appreciate...

Yeah, don't do that again.

Mr. President, I... I want to be very clear.

I'm not choosing sides. Not him, not you.

( knocking )

Excuse me, Mr. President.

Yeah, we're through.

I wanted to give you an update.

There are some demonstrations in Taipei, sir.

Okay.

They're peaceful and relatively small,

given the events of the past few days.

Are they being organized by the Independence Party?

Yes, but some prominent members

of the DPP are in attendance.

The majority party?

Anyone close to President Chen?

( knocking ) His Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs.

How are the Chinese?

Things didn't start off all that well.

It sort of went downhill from there.

Of course if I had known the PLA was planning

to dispatch Ming-class subs into the Taiwan Strait

in reaction to the demonstrations...

China's deploying submarines?

They're showing their teeth. I don't think they'll...

I get distracted for five minutes at breakfast and China's deploying teeth.

C.J.: Sir...

Yeah, I've had enough.

I want you on a plane to Taipei immediately.

Yes, sir. Tell President Chen

I'm not going to war over a flag.

At least not today.

Can we get Beijing on the phone?

I think so. I'll get Josh...

No, no. You and I are going to end this right here, right now.

REPORTER: The President's acceptance of the Independenist flag

has led a few experts to wonder

whether the United States is considering a change

in stance on the question of Taiwanese independence.

Josh... It's pretty minor...

Apparently there's some members of the majority party that...

I need you to call Senator Harris.

Okay.

We got to shut Hunt down.

I thought we were going to...

Josh.

I'd like to discuss it with the President.

It's already been discussed.

Submarines trump symbolism.

I had to make a call.

Okay. Sure.

Anything else?

We agreed to the welcome

in Tiananmen Square, and we're working on Beijing

to drop their demands on the agenda. No discussion of Taiwan?

No public discussion. We're going to need

to deal with the fallout from the welcome at Tiananmen.

Yeah.

You put Toby on it.

And the President wants me with him at the summit.

There's some things up in the air right now.

We'd feel more comfortable if...

Sure. I'll start pulling together

the briefing packets for you.

Come on, you're going; you need Toby to deal with the press.

Somebody's got to man the fort here.

I'm fine staying.

You're his guy.

You're in the room,

in the chair.

He needs you.

That's how it was with Leo,

that's how it's supposed to be.

Yeah. I'm...

Thanks.

LEO: Awfully dark in here.

Leo.

Was this place

always so gloomy?

Not when you were here.

Well, no need to relive

the Rime of the Ancient Mariner.

They keep coming in with furniture and fixtures

and wallpaper samples.

I just haven't had the time.

Have Margaret spruce the place up.

Margaret suggested Shirley Chisholm's Barcalounger.

Oh God, I'll bet she did.

Can we sit?

Of course.

You look good in here.

Comfortable.

Yeah, today not so much.

You sent Kate to Taipei? Hmm.

You're going to be fine. He'll return the flag,

send a message to Taiwan,

and the Chinese will be so pleased,

it'll probably give the President

an extra bargaining chip when he gets to Beijing.

And in the meantime we let them push us around on Taiwan,

on North Korea, on trade, on human rights...

How's the human rights situation in China

compared to ten years ago?

You'd rather we were snarling at each other,

and keeping one eye fixed on the nuclear launch codes?

I lived through the first Cold War.

One was enough, thank you.

I'll take blue jeans,

even low riders,

and Starbucks

over fighters and submarines

any day.

Not all evolution

mandates revolution.

I had to take the summit away from Josh.

Yeah.

China, the U.S.

A situation,

really any situation

having to do with Taiwan.

Hmm.

That?

That's you.

That's your job.

You've really got a lot of time on your hands now, huh?

You have no idea.

But once in a while,

on certain days, when they take down the flag

out that window at sunset?

You know you did something, and that ain't all bad.

a vital source of America's strength and success."

For the President's opening statement? He says it in Shanghai,

and it plays the day he arrives at Tiananmen.

Great. Are the Chinese...? I ran it by Yahlin.

He's taking it to the Ambassador.

Thanks. Let me know.

Charlie, where's my flag?

Working on it.

Charlie...

Yeah, see, the GSA requires an appraisal

in accordance with the Gifts Act...

Charlie, I need that flag. Yeah.

I mean, I need it now.

I know it seemed like a little thing yesterday,

but that was yesterday. Now it's a big deal,

and I need you to take care of it.

And if you can't take care of it,

I need to put someone else on it who can.

I got it.

( bell dinging )

Bernard. Charles.

Didn't they teach you that surrender

is the better part of valor?

Bernard, this is Richard Squire.

Hello.

And aren't you a frumpy little fellow.

Mr. Squire is from the Counsel's office.

He's a Rhodes scholar,

he's got a law degree from Yale,

and I believe he's memorized the U.S. Code.

I get a little tripped up by Title 14.

Do you?

Anyway, according to Mr. Squire here,

the President can not accept a gift from a foreign government

if doing so would violate U.S. law,

establish a quid pro quo or adversely affect

the foreign relations of the United States.

State Department Protocol regulation 478.7355, Section B,

as in "bunion."

I wasn't aware of a Section B.

Oh, yes.

It's a very useful little provision.

Indeed. CHARLIE: Yeah.

So if you would be so kind...

A piece of cloth.

A cheesy piece of fabric.

Donna.

Background for the briefing pack on China,

phone list, and more calls from the law firm

of Hoynes, Hoynes and Hoynes,

garment bag for the China trip.

Where did you find it?

You left it at a luggage repair shop

after the G-8 six weeks ago.

See how you don't take care of me?

What's that?

A gift.

I unwrapped it.

You unwrapped my gift?

Who knows-- it could've been a bomb.

Want to know how many times you're mentioned?

Three?

Thirty-nine.

LEO: Working hard?

Leo.

Careful, he's ornery today.

And tonight, the concert-- Liberace.

Debbie, get out of here.

I didn't know you were coming.

I thought I'd check in on your new boss.

I hear you've been playing.

It's a put up job.

Seems to be working.

Yeah,

I damn near started World War III today.

Is this the way I'm going to be remembered?

Roosevelt liberated Europe from fascism.

Bartlet couldn't liberate a flag from his own basement.

Well, that was a put up job.

You knew when you took the flag the flap it would cause.

Come on.

I got to go and put on the penguin suit.

Leo. Sir.

When are you coming back?

I've been here an hour

and already I need another 30 days

at Sierra Tucson.

Yeah. Okay.

Leo?

Ah... nothing.

HOYNES: Sure, the book is an apology

to my family and to the American people

for past mistakes.

But it's also

a statement of principles, a summary

of where I think we are as a nation

and where we could be.

And where is that,

( on TV ): Mr. Vice President?

( interview continues in background )

HOYNES ( on TV ): And, yes, Diane,

I would like to return to public life.

I think I can make a contribution.

DIANE: Thank you very much, Mr. Vice President.

Diane, you were great.

Thanks very much. Thank you.

Hey.

What did you think?

I think she served up softballs.

Yeah, yeah, it's going to get tougher.

Just as long as you're okay.

I'm here.

Thanks.

Now I've got a call to make and a meeting,

but it... it won't take too long.

PRESIDENT: John F. Kennedy once said

"A nation reveals itself not only by the men it produces

but also by the men it honors."

It isn't often that we award this medal posthumously,

but for the legendary Sam Cooke we made an exception.

a national treasure in his own right--

he insisted on joining us.

I trust none of you will mind,

I asked him to bring his guitar.

Ladies and gentlemen, please welcome Mr. James Taylor.

( applause )

Thanks for coming.

Thank you, Mr. President.

I've been a Sam Cooke fan

for about as long as I can remember.

This is a classic

Sam Cooke song that has, uh, has echoed down the generations.

( picks slow arpeggios )

* I was born by the river

* In a little tent

* Just like a river, I've been running ever since *

* It's been a long *

* Long time coming...

You have a call.

Okay. Would you make sure we get Josh's notes

from yesterday's summit briefing with the foreign relations guys?

Donna already brought them. Good.

Who's on the phone? The Vice President.

Okay. The former Vice President.

* It's been too hard living *

Hello?

* But I'm afraid to die *

* I don't know what's up there *

* Beyond the sky

* It's been a long *

* Long time coming

* But I know that change is gonna come *

* Mmm, mm

* You know I had a talk with my brother *

* I said, "Brother, could you help me, please?" *

The Vice President called tonight.

Russell?

Hoynes.

And...?

He told me to look in the index.

Hmm. You're not in it.

Yeah.

* I said, "Mama, I'm down on my knees" *

* There were times that I thought *

* That I wouldn't last too long *

* Somehow I've been able... to carry on *

Thanks for coming, Josh.

Did you see the interview? No.

Look at the book? No.

Well, If you're going to bust my chops, Josh,

get it over with, will you.

I have no idea why I'm here, Mr. Vice President.

Yes, you do.

Now, I've done things I can never undo.

I lost one marriage, I'm trying to save another.

I let down my children.

I've fallen off the pedestal, hard,

and had to live with the consequences.

But when I look around

and see Bingo Bob Russell, and Eric Baker,

I see plenty of reasons to stay sober.

You think the American public

is going to welcome you back with open arms?

I'm a better person and will be a better candidate now

than I was eight years ago.

You lost that race.

I lost that race when I lost you.

* It's been too hard living *

You're very friendly tonight.

Just cause I can't keep my hands off you?

* I don't know what's up there *

What is it? * Beyond the sky

* It's been a long *

* Long time coming

I didn't see the flag.

What?

The green flag-- I didn't see it.

I couldn't tie my tie.

I haven't been able to focus,

or see out of my right eye since early yesterday morning.

I didn't see the flag.

* I said, "Brother, could you help me, please?" *

* Thought I ought to talk to my own mother *

* I said, "Mama, I'm down on my knees" *

* There were times that I thought... *

There's much to be done

and seven years of following is enough.

It's time to start leading.

You're never going to be Leo McGarry to Jed Bartlet.

But you can be Leo to me.

I'm running for President.

I want you with me.

* Long time coming

I want you to run my campaign.

* A change is gonna come

* Yes, a change is gonna come.