Original subtitles

PREVIOUSLY ON THE WEST WIN YOU GUYS LOOK LIKE YOU COULD USE A CLIENT.

WHAT DO YOU SAY? YOU WANT TO WORK FOR

WE'VE BEEN DOING THIS FOR A YEAR AND ALL WE'VEER OF GOTTEN IS A YEAR OLDER.E WORLD?

OUR JOB APPROVAL IS 48%, AND I THINK THAT NUMBER'S SOFT

AND I'M TIRED OF BEING A FIELD CAPTAIN

FOR THE GANG THAT COULDN'T SHOOT STRAIGHT.

YOU RAN GREAT GUNS IN THE CAMPAIGN

AND THEN YOU DROVE TO THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD

THE MOMENT AFTER YOU TOOK THE OATH.

I WANTED A DEMOCRAT

AND INSTEAD I GOT YOU.

LEO, THERE ARE TIMES WHEN WE ARE ABSOLUTELY NOWHERE.

Toby: IS IT GOING TO RAIN?

Sam: NO.

IT LOOKS LIKE IT'S GOING TO RAIN.

IT'S OVERCAST.

ISN'T THAT USUALLY WHAT IT IS BEFORE IT RAINS?

BUT IN THIS CASE?YE

IT'S NOT GOING TO RAIN TILL LATER TODAY.

IF IT RAINS, PLEASE REMEMBER

TO CHANGE THE OPENING LINE.

IT'S NOT GOING TO RAIN TILL 1:00, MAYBE 2:00.

YEAH, BUT IF YOU'RE WRONG

YOU GOT TO CHANGE THE OPENING LINE.

I'M NOT GETTING THIS FROM MORNING DRIVE-TIME RADIO, TOBY.

I'M GETTING THIS FROM FIRST LIEUTENANT EMILY LOWENBRAU

OF THE U.S. COAST GUARD, WHO WOULD NOT LET ME DOWN.

SHE HAS A VERY, REALLY, A VERY... COMFORTING VOICE.

OKAY, HERE'S MY THING.

IF YOU'RE WRONG...

IF THE COAST GUARD IS WRONG...

THE REMARKS OPEN WITH "AS I LOOK OUT

OVER THIS MAGNIFICENT VISTA."

IF THE EVENT GETS MOVED INDOORS

HE WILL NO LONGER BE LOOKING OUT OVER A VISTA OF ANY KIND.

DO YOU HONESTLY THINK HE CAN'T

DOESN'T KNOW WHERE HE IS WHEN HE'S GIVING A SPEECH?

THIS ISN'T A MAJOR POLICY ADDRESS, SAM.

THIS IS FIVE MINUTES IN FRONT

OF THE UNITED ORGANIZATION OF TROUT FISHERMEN

I'M SAYING, IF IT GETS MOVED INSIDE.

I GOT THIS FROM THE U.S. COAST GUARD...

FROM THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE.

THEY USE SATELLITES.

THEY USE TECHNOLOGY.

( thunder crashing )

THIS IS THE SAME

SATELLITE TECHNOLOGY WE USE TO DETECT

INTERCONTINENTAL BALLISTIC MISSILES, RIGHT?

YEAH.

ALL RIGHT, THEN.

WE SHOULD MOVE THE THING INSIDE.

SAM SAYS IT'S PROBABLY NOT

GOING TO RAIN TILL LATER.

HAVE EITHER OF YOU HEARD ANYTHING

ABOUT A PIECE OF PAPER THAT'S GOING AROUND?

WHAT PIECE OF PAPER?

I DON'T KNOW.

AT THE GAGGLE, DAVE TRILLIN ASKED WHAT I KNEW

ABOUT A PIECE OF PAPER THAT'S GOING AROUND.

MAYBE IT'S FROM THE CAMPAIGN.

I HAVEN'T HEARD ANYTHING.

YOU SHOULD FIND OUT.ME EIT

THAT'S GOOD ADVICE, TOBY.

WE'RE IN THE SECOND FLOOR AUDITORIUM IN THE O.E.O.B.

ARE THEY MOVING PEOPLE INSIDE?

THEY MOVED THEM 20 MINUTES AGO.

Sam:THE WEATHER REPORT SAID IT WAS GOING TO RAIN.

IT DID? YEAH.

THINK IT'S POSSIBLE

FIRST LIEUTENANT EMILY LOWENBRAU

WAS YANKING ME AROUND?

WHERE'S THE PRESIDENT?

HE'S ALREADY OVER THERE.

HOW'S HIS MOOD TODAY?

HE SEEMED VERY UPBEAT, VERY ENERGETIC

VERYHOW LONG DO YOU SUPPOSE ABOUTTHAT'S GOING TO LAST?

President: CAN WE GET THIS GODFORSAKEN EVENT OVER WITH

SO I CAN GET BACK TO PRESIDING OVER A CIVILIZATION

Mrs. Landingham: NICE TALK FOR A PRESIDENT.N A HANDCART?

LEAVE ME ALONE.

YOU KNOW WHAT THIS IS?

WHAT WHAT IS? YOUR MOOD, SIR.

THERE'S NOTHING WRONG WITH MY MOOD.

YOU'RE NOT GETTING ENOUGH ROUGHAGE.

YOU KNOW I'M RIGHT.

I KNOW I'D LIKE TO BEAT YOU SENSELESS

WITH A HEAD OF CABBAGE, THAT'S FOR DAMN SURE.

ONCE AGAIN, YOU DISPLAY

AN IMMATURITY ABOUT VEGETABLES

THAT I THINK IS NOT AT ALL PRESIDENTIAL.

CHARLIE, DOES SOMEBODY HAVE MY REMARKS?

SAM'S BRINGING THEM.

IS TOBY ON HIS WAY? YES, SIR.

WHY THEY DIDN'T KNOW IT HEREWAS RAINING, SIR.

WITH THE BEST AND THE BRIGHTEST, CHARLIE.

GOOD MORNING, GOODMR. PRESIDENT.

HELLO. HOW ARE YOU, SIR?

YOU DIDN'T KNOW IT WAS RAINING?

TO OUR CREDIT, SIR, WE KNEW IT WAS RAINING

ONCE IT STARTED TO RAIN.

OKAY.

HERE ARE YOUR REMARKS, SIR.

WHO AM I GOING TO BE TALKING TO NOW?N

THE NATIONAL ORGANIZATION OF TROUT FISHERMEN.

NO, SERIOUSLY.

SIR.

GIVE ME THE DAMN SPEECH.

THERE'S SOME VERY NICE ANECDOTES IN THERE

ABOUT TROUT FISHING.

HAVE I EVER BEEN TROUT FISHING?

GOOD MORNING,LY NOT. OKAY.MR. PRESIDENT.

WHAT'S GOING ON, JOSH?

THE C.B.O. IS GOING TO REVISE ITS OUTYEAR PROJECTIONS

TWO COMMISSIONERS RESIGNED FROM THE F.E.C. THIS MORNING

AND THE N.G.A. ENDORSED TRIGGER LOCKS.

HOW MUCH?

THE PROJECTIYEAH.

UH... MAYBE $200 BILLION.

HANG ON.

TWO F.E.C. COMMISSIONERS RESIGNED?

YES, SIR.

THERE ARE TWO SEATS OPEN ON THE F.E.C.?

YEAH.

SIR, THIS IS NOT THTHE WORLD'S BEST TIME

TO GO OFF ON A FLIGHT OF IDEALISTIC...

LEO, TWO SEATS JUST OPENED UP ON THE FEDERAL ELECTION COMMISSION.

AND THE SENATE LEADERSHIP WILL FILL THEM.

WHAT IF THIS TIME WE SAY WE WANT OUR GUYS?

WE WON'T WIN.

IN THE WATER. NOT A WE CAN DANGLE OGOOD IDEA.

JOSH...

YOU'RE THINKING ABOUT CHANGING

THE NATURE OF DEMOCRACY.

I'M TALKING ABOUT DANGLING OUR FEET IN THE WATER.

JOSH, GET LEO TWO CANDIDATES WHO BACK AGGRESSIVE

CAMPAIGN FINANCE REFORM.

SIR, I GOT TO STAND WITH LEO ON THIS.

I'M NOT SAYING JUMP OFF THE BOAT, JOSH....

I'M SAYING DANGLE OUR FEET.

YES, SIR.

MR. PRESIDENT?

YES. SOMEBODY.

UNITED ORGANIZATION

OF TRTHANK YOU.MEN.

YOU GOING TO CONCENTRATE ON THIS NOW?

OR ON CHANGING THE NATURE OF DEMOCRACY?

I'M THINKING ABOUT TROUT FISHERMEN

'CAUSE THAT'S WHERE MY FOCUS SHOULD BE.

YOU WERE IN A BETTER MOOD AN HOUR AGO.

I WAS IN A BETTER MOOD A YEAR AGO.

ABOUT A PIECE OF PAPERDY THAT'S BEEN GOING AROUND?

WHAT PIECE OI DON'T KNOW.

C.J., ARE YOU TALLER THAN USUAL?

NO, I'M MY USUAL HEIGHT.

COULDN'T PICK A TROUT OUT OF A POLICE LINEUP.

FOCUS.

TWO FEDERAL ELECTION SEATS OPEN IN THE SAME DAY?

YOU CAN DREAM ALL YOU WANT JOSH, BUT IT'S NEVER GOING TO HAPPEN.

BUT AFTER YOUR LITTLE PEP TALK JUST NOW...

President: THANK YOU. THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

IT'S GOOD TO SEE YOU. THANK YOU.

SAM.

DAMN IT.WHAT?

I FORGOT TO DO SOMETHING.

President: AS I LOOK OUT OVER THIS MAGNIFICENT VISTA...

Donna: HOW DOES THE F.E.C. WORK?

Josh: SIX COMMISSIONERS

ARE APPOINTED FOR A SIX-YEAR TERM.

TWO SEATS COME UP EVERY TWO YEARS.

TWO COMMISSIONERS RESIGNED?

AT THE SAME TIME.

HOW MANY TIMES HAS THAT HAPPENED?

INCLUDING THIS TIME?

YEAH. ONCE.

SO THE PRESIDENT HAS THE OPPORTUNITY

TO STACK THE F.E.C. WITH OUR PEOPLE

AND MAKE AN IMPACT ON CAMPAIGN FINANCE REFORM?

YES.

WELL, DO IT, BABY.

THERE'S A COUPLE OF ROADBLOCKS.

WHAT?

WHENEVERTHE PARTY LEADERSHIP ON BOTH SIDES...

DID YOU JUST CALL ME "BABY" BACK THERE?

YEAH.OKAY. UH... WHEN A VACANCY COMES UP

IT'S UP TO THE PRESIDENT TO FILL IT

BUT THE PARTY LEADERSHIP ON BOTH SIDES ALWAYS, ALWAYS, ALWAYS

DICTATES TO THE PRESIDENT WHO HE'S GOING TO APPOINT.

ONE REPUBLICAN, ONE DEMOCRAT

WHOEVER THE LEADERSHIP SAYS.

THAT'S HOW YOU KEEP THE PEACE IN DODGE.

YOU'RE GOING TO CHANGE ALL THAT, RIGHT?

NO, BUT I'M GOING TO SPEND MOST OF THE WEEK TRYING.

THAT'S NOT THE RIGHT SPIRIT.

YOU'RE TRYING TO CHANGE THE NATURE OF DEMOCRACY.

YOU'RE RIGHT. I'M GOING TO NEED A BAGEL.

C.J.: THE EASTER EGG HUNT

ARE TWO DIFFERENT THINGS.

THE THEME OF THIS YEAR'S EVENT

IS "LEARNING IS DELIGHTFUL AND DELICIOUS"

AS, BY THE WAY, AM I.

THE COLLECTION, WHICH IS GOING TO BE ON DISPLAY

IN THE EAST COLONNADE OF THE OF THE WHITE HOUSE

FEATURES REAL CHICKEN EGGS DECORATED BY ARTISTS

FROM EACH OF THE 50 STATES AND THE DISTRICT

AND THE ACTIVITIES ARE COORDINATED

BY THE AMERICAN EGG BOARD

AND I'VE HUNG WITH SOME OF THE CATS

FROM THE AMERICAN EGG BOARD, AND THEY ARE PARTY PEOPLE.

( chuckling )

THANK YOU. THAT'S IT TILL THIS AFTERNOON.

STEVE.

YEYOU GOT A SECOND?

SURE.

ABOUT A PIECE OF PAPER THAT'S OUT THERE?

SAME THING YOU'VE HEARD.

WHAT'S THAT?

THERE'S A PIECE OF PAPER OUT THERE.

THAT'S IT? YEAH.

IF YOU HEAR ANYTHING MORE, YOU'LL TELL ME FIRST?

IF I FIND ANYTHING MORE

I'LL TELL MY EDITOR FIRST.

I KEEP FORGETTING YOU DON'T WORK FOR ME.

YES, YOU DO.

C.J.

SEE YA.

MANDY, THERE'S A BUZZ ABOUT A PIECE OF PAPER.

YEAH.

YOU KNOW ANYTHING ABOUT IT?

I KNOW EVERYTHING ABOUT IT.

WHAT DO YOU MEAN?

I WROTE IT.

WHAT IS IT WE'RE...?

I WROTE A MEMO

WHEN I WAS WORKING FOR RUSSELL, OUTLINING STRATEGIES...

KATIE, THEY'RE IN THE, UH, BLUE ROOM.

THANKS.

WHEN I WAS WORKING FOR RUSSELL, I WROTE A MEMO

OUTLINING THE WEAKNESSES AND VULNERABILITIES

OF THE BARTLET ADMINISTRATION

AND MAPPING OUT A STRATEGY TO DEFEAT HIM

FOR RENOMINATION.

C.J., THIS IS EMBARRASSING AND A LITTLE MORTIFYING

BUT YOU GOT TO REMEMBER HOW PISSED OFF I WAS AT YOU GUYS.

WORKING FOR US AGAIN NOW AND IN BETWEEN YOU WROTE

A PLAYBOOK ON HOW TO BEAT US?

I WAS WORKING FOR RUSSELL

AND THE WHOLE IDEA...

I NEED TO SEE A COPY OF IT RIGHT NOW.

C.J....

MARGARET!

YES.

THEY'RE WORKING I CAN'T E-MAON THE PROBLEM.

WHAT'S THE PROBLEM?

LYNETTE FROM THE PRESIDENT'S COUNCIL

ON PHYSICAL FITNESS. REMEMBER HER? NO.

SHE'S THE ONE WHERE YOU SAY

"WHO'S THAT?" AND I SAY, "MY FRIEND LYNETTE

FROM THE PRESIDENT'S COUNCIL ON PHYSICAL FITNESS."

HEY. HEY, JOSH.

ANYWAY, SHE SENT ME AN E-MAIL

ABOUT THE ACTUAL CALORIE COUNT

THEY'RE SERVING IN THE MESS.

I FORWARDED THE E-MAIL

TO SEVERAL HUNDRED SECRETARIES

AND ASSISTANTS AT O.E.O.B.

AND IN THE WEST WING, AND THAT WAS FINE

BUT JOLENE MILLMAN

WHO WORKS IN POLITICAL LIAISON

THEN HIT "REPLY," WHOH, MARGARET, MARGARET

I'M SORRY, I'M GOING TO HAVE...

I HUNG IN THERE AS LONG AS I COULD

BUT YOU LONG SINCE PASSED THE POINT

WHEN I STOPPED CARING.

IF YOU'RE CURIOUS, IT WAS AROUND "RAISIN MUFFIN."

I'LL LEAVE YOU TWO ALONE.

AND FIX THE E-MAIL.

YES.

SO WHO DID YOU COME UP WITH?

JOHN BACON AND PATRICIA CALHOUN.

DIRECTOR OF THE ROE INSTITUTE FOR ECONOMIC POLICY STUDIES

AT THE HERITAGE FOUNDATION.

SHE WORKED IN THE WHITE HOUSE O.M.B.

AND SHE FAVORS UNDCAMPAIGN FINANCE OVERHAUL?TS.

THEN THE LEADERSHIP WILL HATE THEM BOTH.

WHAT DO YOU WANT ME TO DO?

MEET WITH THE TOP GUYS IN THE LEADERSHIP OFFICES.

ABSOLUTELY NOT. YOU WANT ME TO MI WANT YOU TO WITH THE LEADERSMEET THEIR GUYS

AND I WANT YOU TO DO IT OUTSIDE THE BUILDING OVER A MEAL.

WE'RE GOING TO GET ANYWHERE WITH THIS, CAN HE?INK

HMM?

THE PRESIDENT DOESN'T THINK WE'RE GOING TO GET

ANYWHERE WITH THIS, RIGHT?

NO.

OKAY.

WHAT HAPPENED WITH E-MAIL?

OH, I DON'T KNOW. IT HAS SOMETHING TO DO

WITH THE PRESIDENT'S COUNCIL ON PHYSICAL FITNESS.

OKAY.

HEY.

WHO'D YOU COME UP WITH?

JOHN BACON AND PATTY CALHOUN.

TELL ME SOMETHING ELSE I SHOULD KNOW. YEARS.

IT'S OUR TURNWHAT ARE WITH THE BOYS.YOU DOING?

HEY, LISTEN.

YEAH.

YOU WANT ME TO DO THE TALKING

WHEN WE GET IN THERE?

NO. WHY?

I'M JUST ASKING.

GOOD MORNING.

WE ALL KNOW EACH OTHER.

WHY DON'T WE SIT DOWN

WE'VE BEEN CONDUCTING MEETINGS WITH VARIOUS SENIOR STAFF

FROM THE D.O.D., N.S.C., AND HOUSE AND SENATE ARMED SERVICES.

WE FEEL A LITTLE HAMSTRUNG.

BECAUSE OF THE POLICY INHERITED

REGARDING GAYS AND LESBIANS IN THE MILITARY

AND WE'D LIKE AS MUCH

INFORMED INPUT AS POSSIBLE

BEFORE MAKING RECOMMENDATIONS TO THE PRESIDENT.

TOBY, CAN I INTERRUPT YOU FOR A MOMENT?

WHAT DO YOU IMAGINE WOULD BE THE CONSEQUENCE

OF YOUR RECOMMENDATION?

WELL, ACTUALLY IT'LL BE SAM'S

RECOMMENDATION TO THE PRESIDENT.

THIS IS ON HIS DESK AND I'M JUST HELPING OUT.

SAM, WHAT DO YOU IMAGINE WILL BE THE CONSEQUENCE?

MAJOR, BEARING IN MIND THAT THE PRESIDENT SELDOM, IF EVER

LISTENS TO MY RECOMMENDATIONS

I WOULD IMAGINE THE CONSEQUENCES TO BE LITTLE.

I WOULD IMAGINE IT TO BE VERY LITTLE, SAM.

CONGRESSMAN, IF THE COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF

ORDERS THAT GAYS CAN SERVE OPENLY IN THE MILITARY

THAT'S THE WAY IT'S GOING TO BE, AND ANYBODY WHO CHOOSES

TO DISOBEY THAT ORDER CAN STAND COURT-MARTIAL

UNDER THE UNIFORM CODE OF MILITARY JUSTICE.

THE PRESIDENT CAN ORDER THE JOINT CHIEFS

IT TAKES AN ACT OF CONGRESS TO AMEND THE UNIFORM CODE

AND THE UNIFORM CODE MAKES SODOMY A CRIME.

THAT'S THE END OF THE STORY.

I GUESS IT'S GOING TO BE A PRETTY SHORT MEETING.

YEAH.

Donna: C.J.

YEAH. THERE WILL BE 25,000 WOODEN EGGS

IN ADDITION TO THE 7,500 OTHER EGGS.

AND WHAT ARE THE OTHER EGGS MADE OF?

UH... THE OTHER EGGS ARE...

ACTUALLY EGGS.

YEAH. WHAT IS JOSH DOING?ICE.

WHEN HE HAS A FREE MOMENT I'D LIKE TO SEE HIM?MNERS.

YEAH.

CAROL, 25,000 WOODEN EGGS.

IN ADDITION TO THE 7,500 THAT ARE...?

THEY'RE JUST REGULAR EGGS.

RIGHT.

IS THAT IT?

YEAH.

WHO HAS IT?

I DON'T KNOW.

BUT SOMEBODY DOES.

YEAH.

OKAY. I'M GOING TO READ IT NOW.

SHOULD I...?

GO BACK TO AND DON'T ANSWER ANY QUESTIONS.

YOU'LL...

CALL ME WHEN YOU'RE DONE READING?

I'D COUNT ON IT.

RENDER THE 1974 CAMPAIGN REFORM ACT TOOTHLESS.

SOFT MONEY CONTRIBUTIONS WHICH WERE OSTENSIBLY DESIGNED

FOR PARTY-BUILDING, WHATEVER THAT MIGHT MEAN

DO NOTHING BUT EVISCERATE

ANY MEANINGFUL ELECTION CONTROLS.

WE ARE, BY DEFINITION, CORRUPT.

NOW, II KNOW YOU WOULDN'T, SAY THAT.STEVE

BUT THIS MONEY ISN'T COMING IN

IN FIVES AND TENS AND 20s.

IT'S COMING IN IN DENOMINATIONS

OF $100,000, $200,000, $500,000.

IT'S COMING FROM SPECIAL INTERESTS--

SPECIAL INTERESTS WHOSE INTERESTS AREN'T THE SAME

AS THOSE WHO DON'T HAVE

A HALF A MILLION BUCKS LYING AROUND

AND IT'S NOT GOING TO PARTY-BUILDING.

IT'S GOING TO ISSUE ADS.

IT'S GOING TO CANDIDATES.

YEAH, IT'S CALLED, FREE SPEECH, JOSH.

IF THE INSURANCE INDUSTRY WANTS TO BUY AD TIME

IN 64 MAJOR MARKETS, THEY ARE FREE TO DO SO.

IF THE AIRPLANE MANUFACTURING INDUSTRY WANTS TO BACK A CANDIDATE

THEY ARE FREE TO SHOUT FROM THE ROOFTOPS.

IF BIG TOBACCO WANTS TO WAVE A SIGN

OR PUT A BUMPER STICKER ON THEIR CAR

THEY ARE FREE TO DO SO.

THAT'S FREE SPEECH.

MONEY ISN'T SPEECH.

I LIKE IT WHEN JOSH COMES UP HERE

AND TEACHES US A LESSON WE SO RICHLY DESERVE.LE

I CAME HERE AS A COURTESY, JERRY.

I CAME AT THE REQUEST OF LEO McGARRY.

THE PRESIDENT IS STRONGLY CONSIDERING...

JOHN BRANFORD BACON AND PATTY CALHOUN

TO FILL THE TWO SEATS.

I'M PRETTY SURE WE'VE ALREADY GOT

OUR TWO GUYS, DON'T WE?

IT'S GRANT KALEN.

GRANT KALEN AND JOE BARKLEY.

TWO PEOPLE WHO OPPOSE ANY CAMPAIGN FINANCE REFORM.

Graham: WELL... I THOUGHT YOU LIKED KALEN, JOSH.

HE'S GOTTEN A LOT OF DEMOCRATS ELECTED OUT OF INDIANA.

HE'S RAISED A LOT OF MONEY IN INDIANA

AND JOE BARKLEY SAYS THAT PEOPLE SHOULD BE ALLOWED TO SPEND

WHATEVER THEY WANT ON POLITICS.

SO DOES THE SUPREME COURT.

UH, JOSH, LOOK

EVERY TIME THE PRESIDENT WWAKES UP IN THE MORNING

AND DECIDES TO MAKE THE WORLD BETTER.

THE PARTY LEADERSHIP'S GOING TO CHOOSE A REPUBLICAN.

THE PARTY LEADERSHIP'S GOING TO CHOOSE A DEMOCRAT.

THAT'S THE WAY IT'S ALWAYS BEEN.

THAT'S THE WAY IT'S GOING TO BE.

THAT'S THE WAY IT IS.

REALLY?

YES.

Josh: THE PRESIDENT APPOINTS

THE FEDERAL ELECTION COMMISSION.

AND THE SENATE CONFIRMS THEM.

I'M SPEAKING FOR THE MAJORITY LEADER.

EMBARRASS US LIKE THIS

AND WE WILL GIVE THE SAME BACK TO YOU TENFOLD.

EVERY PIECE OF LEGISLATION

THE WHITE HOUSE WANTS

OFF THE TABLE WILL MAKE A SUDDEN APPEARANCE.

STEVE'S TALKING OUR GREATEST HITS, JOSH--

5-4-1

SCHOOL PRAYER, FAMILY SUPPORT ACT

THE ENTERTAINMENT DECENCY ACT...

ENGLISH AS THE NATIONAL LANGUAGE.

ENGLISH AS THE NATIONAL LANGUAGE IS FIRST UP.

THAT'LL BE OUR LEADOFF HITTER.

TO JUST NOT CONFIRM WOULOUR NOMINEES?SIE

OH, WE'RE GOING TO DO THAT, TOO.

YOU'RE SAYING THAT IN ADDITION TO VOTING DOWN OUR NOMINEE

THERE'S GOING TO BE POLITICAL RETRIBUTION

FOR HAVING NOMINATED THEM IN THE FIRST PLACE?

YES.

BECAUSE YOU KNOW IF YOU DO THIS, YOU'RE GOING TO LOSE

AND WE'RE GOING TO LOOK BAD WINNING.

I ALSO REJECT THE SUGGESTION THAT THE BEST WAY

TO MAINTAIN FREE SPEECH IS HAVING GOVERNMENT REGULATE IT.

YOU REJECT WHATEVER YOU WANT.

I SAID, "REJECT WHATEVER YOU WANT."

YOU KNOW, FOUR HOURS AGO, THIS WAS A FOOL'S ERRAND FOR ME

AND THE PRESIDENT KNEW IT.

THIS WAS A TEST BALLOON.

THIS WAS A... "JUST OUT OF CURIOSITY

LET'S SEE WHAT WOULD HAPPEN IF" MEETING

BUT YOU'VE MANAGED TO GET ME ON BOARD.

STEVE, WE GOT A CAUCUS.

WE GOT TO GO.

MRS. LANDINGHAM...

I'M GOING TO LUNCH, CHARLIE.

SPEAKING OF LUNCH... THE PRESIDENT'S NOT TOO WILD ABOUT HIS.YES?

WHAT'S THE NATURE OF HIS DISSATISFACTION?

HE SAYS IT'S MADE ALMOST ENTIRELY OF VEGETABLES.

YES, IT'S A SALAD, CHARLIE.

THE PRESIDENT WOULD PREFER A SANDWICH.

HE SAYS ROAST BEEF WILL BE FINE, PASTRAMI, SLICED STEAK...

CHARLIE, TELL THE PRESIDENT HE WILL EAT HIS SALAD

AND IF HE DOESN'T LIKE IT

HE KNOWS WHERE TO PUT HIS SALAD.

WELL, I DON'T THINK I WILL TELL THE PRESIDENT THAT

MRS. LANDINGHAM, BUT I APPRECIATE YOUR HELP.

Man: IF IT AIN'T BROKE, YOU BETDON'T FIX IT, SAM.

Sam: CONGRESSMEN...

"DON'T ASK, DON'T TELL" WORKS.

YES, IT DOES.T DOESN'T.

Sam: WOULD YOU LIKE TO KNOW HOW MUCH IT DOESN'T?

1,145 DISCHARGED FOR BEING GAY IN 1998.

THAT'S A RECORD.

IT'S A 92% INCREASE

SINCE "DON'T ASK, DON'T TELL."

414 AIR FORCE DISCHARGES-- THE HIGHEST OF TWO DECADES--

271 OF THEM DURING BASIC TRAINING

AT LACKLAND AIR FORCE BASE...

271 DURING BASIC TRAINING.

Toby: MAJOR...

WHAT THE HELL IS GOING ON

AT LACKLAND AIR FORCE BASE?

I DON'T LIKE YOUR HUMOR.

I GET THAT A LOT.

EXCUSE ME. SORRY. I NEED TOBY.

YEAH.

COME HERE A SEC.

YOU'RE DOING GOOD.

WHAT?

I KNOW WHAT THE PIECE OF PAPER IS. WHAT IS IT?

A RECON-AND-STRATEGY MEMO THAT MANDY WROTE

WHEN SHE WAS WORKING FOR RUSSELL.

A STRATEGY TO DO WHAT?

BEAT US IN THREE YEARS.

DID YOU READ IT? YEAH.

IS IT BAD? YEAH.

LET'S GO TO MY OFFICE.

HOW'D IT GO?

HOW DO YOU KNOW TO BE STANDING HERE?

I SEE YOU OUT THE WINDOW.

YOU DON'T HAVE A WINDOW.

WHAT ARE YOU DOING IN MY OFFICE?N

LOOKING FOR YOU OUT THE WINDOW.

OKAY.

HOW'D IT GO?

WENT FINE.

JUST "FINE"?

YEAH. YOU DON'T WANT TO SAY ANYTHING MORE THAN THAT?

I DON'T, DONNA

AND THE WAY THAT YOU KNOW THAT I DON'T IS THAT I'M NOT.

BUT THIS IS OUR SPECIAL TIME TOGETHER.

I'M REALLY NOT IN THE MOOD TO MESS AROUND.

OKAY. I NEED YOU TO GET ME PREPPED ON SOMETHING.

WHAT?

ENGLISH AS THE NATIONAL LANGUAGE.

WHY?

MIGHT COME UP.

WHY?

BECAUSE... DOESN'T MATTER.

BECAUSE IF WE DO A THING WITH THE F.E.C.

OPPONENTS WILL PUT ENGLISH AS THE NATIONAL LANGUAGE ON THE TABLE.

ARE WE FOR IT OR AGAINST IT?

DONNA... OF MAKING ANOTHER LANGUAGE THE OFFICIAL LANGUAGE, ARE WE?

DONNA... LIKE DUTCH OR SOMETHING.

DONNA, DIDN'T I JUST TELL YOU

THAT I CAN'T MESS AROUND?

YES.

OKAY.

BULLET POINTS?

YEAH.

GIVE ME 30 MINUTES?

THANK YOU.

OH, AND TOBY SAID TO COME BY

AS SOON AS YOU GOT BACK.

Josh: TOBY?

YEAH.

( knocking )

I'M NOT TAKING ANY TOBY...CALLS RIGHT NOW, GINGER.

IT'S...

I'LL CALL HIM BACK.

"THE REALITY OF THE BARTLET WHITE HOUSE

"IS A FLOOD OF MISTAKES

"AN AGENDA HOPELESSLY STALLED

"AND LACKING A COHERENT STRATEGY...

AN ADMINISTRATION PLAGUED BY INDECISION."

( knocking at door )

GINGER...

WHAT'S GOING ON?

MANDY WROTE AN INSTRUCTION MANUAL FOR RUSSELL

AND IT'S OUT THERE SOMEWHERE.

Josh: WHERE? I DON'T KNOW YET.

HOW BAD IS IT?

WELL, SHE TAKES THE THREE OF US TO TOWN.

WE DON'T LOOK LIKE ROCKET SCIENTISTS

BUT, THEN AGAIN, WE'RE NOT ROCKET SCIENTISTS.

WHO IS IT BAD FOR?

THE PRESIDENT... LEO.

THE PRESIDENT AND LEO.

I'M TALKING TO EVERYBODY.OW WHO HAS THIS?

DO IT QUIETLY. Toby: AND QUICKLY.

WHOSE PAPER IS IT IN TOMORROW?

WE HAVE TO KNOW RIGHT AWAY. YEP.

SORRY.

( clearing throat )

OUR SECOND YEAR DOESN'T SEEM TO BE GOING

A WHOLE LOT BETTER THAN OUR FIRST, DOES IT?

NO.

MARGARET, DOES HE HAVE A MINUTE?

HE'S FINISHING UP WITH THE CHAIRMAN.

THEY ALMOST DONE?

YEAH.

I'LL WAIT.

YOU HAVING PROBLEMS WITH YOUR E-MAIL?

TECHNICAL SUPPORT SAYS THE PIPELINE'S YEAH.

BEEN FLOODED.

APPARENTLY, IT HAPPENED WHEN I FORWARDED AN E-MAIL

TO SEVERAL PEOPLE AND ONE OF THEM TRIED TO REPLY.

EVERYONE'S E-MAIL BOX IS CLOGGED WITH REPLIES

WHICH ARE NOW AUTOMATICALLY

AND CONSTANTLY BOUNCING BACK AND FORTH

AT SUBATOMIC SPEED.

I PASSED THE POINT WHERE YOU'RE INTERESTED, HAVEN'T I?a

YEAH.

Leo: THANK YOU, FITZ.

Fitzwallace: THANK YOU.

HEY, TOBY.

TOBY, YOU HERE GOOD AFTERNOON,TO SEE ME? YEAH.AL.

FITZ, THE PRESIDENT'S GOING TO WANT TO KNOW

IS THE PHILIPPINES REDUNDANT, THAT'S ALL.

IT IS REDUNDANT, THAT'S THE BEAUTY OF IT.

YOU'LL HAVE TO CONVINCE THE PRESIDENT OF ITS BEAUTY.

I WILL.

IF YOU SAY SO.

SAY, WHO ARE THOSE GUYS ACROSS THE HALL?

THEY'RE MEETING WITH SAM ON GAYS IN THE MILITARY.

WHY?

SAM'S TRYING TO PUT TOGETHER A COHERENT POSITION.

WHEN HE COMES UP WITH ONE, LET ME KNOW, WILL YA?

YES, SIR. BY THE WAY

I THINK THERE MAY BE A MAJOR SECURITY BREACH

WITH THE WHITE HOUSE COMPUTERS.

WHITE HOUSE COMPUTERS AREN'T SECURE.

WELL, THAT EXPLAINS THAT.

HE WANTS TO PUT A1/M1s IN MANILA.

THE PRESIDENT'S GOING TO SAY IT'S REDUNDANT.

HOW MUCH YEDOES IT COST?

NOT MUCH-- $20 BILLION.

SO, THERE'S GOING TO BE A THING.

MANDY WROTE AN OPPOSITION RESEARCH MEMO FOR RUSSELL

AND SOMEBODY'S GOT IT.

WHO?

C.J.'s FINDING OUT.

WELL, IT'S POLITICS, TOBY.

SHE WAS PLAYING FOR THE OTHER GUYS.

YEAH.

THERE'S SOME OBSERVATIONS

THE PRESIDENT'S NOT GOING TO BE WILD ABOUT.

I MOVE HIM TO THE MIDDLE?

THE SENSE IS THAT HIS INSTINCT IS TO BE AGGRESSIVE

AND YOU TAKE HIM

TO SAFE GROUND.

OKAY.

LEO... DON'T WORRY ABOUT IT.

HEY, LOOK...

DON'T WORRY ABOUT IT.

WANT TO SEE A COPY?

NO.

OKAY.

JOSH?

SIX PAGES ON ENGLISH AS YETHE NATIONAL LANGUAGE.

I GAVE YOU SOME GOOD STUFF ON IS IT GOJAMES MADISON...

JAMES MADISON?

I DIDN'T ASK FOR A DAMN SOCIAL STUDIES PAPER.

DON'T SNAP AT ME, JOSH.

DONNA...

LOOK AT THE MEMO-- I GAVE YOU WHAT YOU ASKED FOR.

DON'T SNAP AT ME.

WHAT'S WRONG WITH EVERYONE TODAY?

IT'S BEEN ALL DAY.

IS IT MANDY'S MEMO?

NO.

( exasperated sigh )

LIKE THEY KNOW WHY THEY'VE ALREADY LOST?ROUND

I WASN'T SNAPPING AT YOU.

I JUST... I-I, I DIDN'T REALIZE

THAT YOU ALSO GAVE ME THE STUFF I ASKED FOR.

I THOUGHT IT WAS JUST...

I THOUGHT YOU JUST GAVE ME JAMES MADISON.

WELL, LOOK AT THE JAMES MADISON.

IT'S GOING TO HELP YOU.

THANKS.

HI.

HOW'S JAMES MADISON

GOING TO HELP YOU?

I REALLY DON'T KNOW.

I MEANT THAT... THE PRESIDENT WANTS TO PUT

TWO REFORMERS ON THE F.E.C.

ONORATO SAYS THEY'LL RETALIATE

BY OPENING UP ENGLISH AS THE NATIONAL LANGUAGE.

THE PRESIDENT'S NOT GOING TO LOOK GOOD

I'VE WORKED HERE 14 MONTHS; TELL ME WHAT ELSE I SHOULD KNOW.

THAT THE PRESIDENT IS NOT GOING TO LOOK GOOD

FIGHTING AGAINST THAT ONE.

MANDY... YOU TAKE AN OPPOSITION

TO A FLAG BURNING AMENDMENT

SCHOOL PRAYER, AND GAYS IN THE MILITARY

YOU PILE ON "NO" TO ENGLISH AS THE NATIONAL LANGUAGE

AND THEY WILL PAINT A PICTURE...

I UNDERSTAND, MANDY.

FINE.

I'M JUST SAYING IT'S MY JOB TO TELL YOU THAT.

TODAY ISN'T REALLY THE BEST DAY FOR YOU TO TELL ME

WHAT YOUR JOB IS.

I WROTE AN OP MEMO, JOSH.

YOU AND I HAVE WRITTEN 20 OF THEM.

YOU NEVER HEARD OF A BURN BAG?

THEY GOT IT OFF MY HARD DISK.

DO YOU KNOW WHO HAS IT?

THEN THERE'S NOT MUCH YOU CAN DO FOR US TODAY.

YOU SHOULDN'T LET THE PRESIDENT GET INTO A DEBATE

ON ENGLISH AS THE NATIONAL...

MANDY, IT'S NOT GOING TO HAPPEN.

DON'T WORRY ABOUT IT.

IT'S NOT GOING TO HAPPEN.

THE PRESIDENT'S NOT GOING TO NOMINATE WHO HE WANTS

TO THE F.E.C.

WHY NOT?

'CAUSE THAT'S NOT WHAT WE DO.

ALL RIGHT.

I'LL LEAVE YOU ALONE.

THANKS.

IT'S EVERYONE THAT'S FEELING THIS WAY TODAY?

YEAH.

OH, OKAY.

THANKS.

I'M SAYING... Man: A LOT OF THOSE CASES...

THIS REPORT, BY THE WAY...

WE CAN READ; WE KNOW THE REPORT.

A LOT OF THOSE CASES YOU'RE TALKING ABOUT

CAME FROM VOLUNTARY STATEMENTS.ISCHARGED

AND A LOT OF THESE ARE NOT VOLUNTARY STATEMENTS

NOT BY ANY DEFINITION GIVEN BY ANY CIVILIAN COURT

IT IS NOT A VOLUNTARY STATEMENT

WHEN IT'S GIVEN TO A PSYCHOTHERAPIST

AS IN THE CASE OF FORMER MARINE CORPORAL DAVID BLESSING.

IT IS NOT A VOLUNTARY STATEMENT

WHEN IT'S MADE IN A PERSONAL DIARY

AS IN THE CASE OF FORMER WEST POINT CADET NICOLE GARRISON.

IT IS NOT WHEN IT'S MADE AFTER BEING ASKED

AS IN THE CASE OF MASTER CHIEF PETTY OFFICER DIANE KELLI.

AND IT IS NOT WHEN IT IS COERCED OUT OF AS SERVICE MEMBER

THROUGH DEATH THREATS, AND THREATS OF CRIMINAL PROSECUTION

AS IN THE CASE OF FORMER AIR FORCE MAJOR BOB KIDDIS

FORMER MARINE GUNNERY SERGEANT KEVIN KEYS

AND FOUR SAILORS ABOARD THE U.S.S. ESSEX.

YOU TAKE CARE OF YOUR GUYS; WE'LL TAKE CARE OF OURS.

YOU'RE NOT TAKING CARE OF THEM.

YOUR GUYS ARE OUT LOOKING FOR JOBS.

THOSE WEREN'T OUR GUYS.

OH, MY GOD...

ATTENTION.

Fitzwallace: GOOD AFTERNOON, SAM.

MR. CHAIRMAN. CONGRESSMAN.

HOW DO YOU DO, ADGOOD TO SEE YOU AGAIN, KEN.

WE HAVEN'T MET.

MIKE SATCHEL.

FROM OREGON. YES, SIR.

PERCY FITZWALLACE.

IT'S AN HONOR TO MEET YOU, ADMIRAL.

I IMAGINE IT WOULD IT BE, YES.

MAJOR TATE, MAJOR THOMPSON

THIS IS CHAIRMAN FITZWALLACE.

THEY'RE NOT GOING TO SPEAK

UNTIL I SPEAK TO THEM, SAM.

THEY'RE PRETTY WELL TRAINED.

STAND EASY, FELLAS.

IS THIS DANISH FOR ANYBODY?

OH, YES, SIR. THANK YOU.

WE'RE DISCUSSING GAYS IN THE MILITARY, HUH?

YES, SIR.

HMM. WHAT DO YOU THINK?

I SAID, WHAT DO YOU THINK?

I KNOW. I'M ASKING YOU WHAT YOU THINK. HELP...

SIR, WE'RE NOT PREJUDICED TOWARD HOMOSEXUALS.

YOU JUST DON'T WANT TO SEE THEM SERVING IN THE ARMED FORCES.

'CAUSE THEY POSE A THREAT TO UNIT DISCIPLINE AND COHESION?N'T.

YES, SIR.

THAT'S WHAT I THINK, TOO.

I ALSO THINK THE MILITARY

WASN'T DESIGNED TO BE AN INSTRUMENT

OF SOCIAL CHANGE. YES, SIR.

THAT'S WHAT THEY WERE SAYING ABOUT ME 50 YEARS AGO--S

BLACKS SHOULDN'T SERVE WITH WHITES.

IT WOULD DISRUPT THE UNIT.

YOU KNOW WHAT? IT DID DISRUPT THE UNIT.

THE UNIT GOT OVER IT.

THE UNIT CHANGED.

I'M AN ADMIRAL IN THE U.S. NAVY

AND CHAIRMAN OF THE JOINT CHIEFS OF STAFF.

BEAT THAT WITH A STICK.

WE'LL SEE YOU, KEN.

EXCUSE ME.

MR. CHAIRMAN.

JUST... THANKS FOR STOPPING IN.

YOU'RE NOT GOING TO GET ANYWHERE.

THE PRESIDENT JUST WANTED SOME EXPLORATORY MEETINGS.

YEAH.

DANNY...

HEY.

I WAS HOPING TO FIND YOU HERE.

I WANTED TO ASK YOU... HANG ON.

I WANTED TO ASK...

HANG ON.

DANNY, IS IT THE MAGNA CARTA...?

I'M TRYING TO FINISH A THOUGHT HERE.

GO AHEAD.

I'M FINISHED.

OKAY.

YOU'VE HEARD THERE'S A PIECE OF PAPER OUT THERE, RIGHT?

YEAH. YOU KNOW WHAT IT IS?

IT'S A STRATEGY MEMO FOR RUSSELL?

THAT'S RIGHT.

YOU GOT TO KNOW...

I DON'T LIKE EXPLOITING OUR FRIENDSHIP IN ANY WAY

AND I CERTAINLY DON'T LIKE TAKING ADVANTAGE

OF ANY FEELINGS BEYOND FRIENDSHIP

YOU MIGHT HAVE FOR ME...

RIGHT, YOU HAVE THEM FOR ME, TOO.

I DON'T.

OKAY.

I NEED TO BE READY FOR THIS.

DO YOU KNOW WHO HAS IT?

YES.

WHO HAS IT?

I DO.

YOU HAVE IT?

AND YOU'RE GOING YEAH.TO WRITE ABOUT IT?

SUWHY?

LOOK... WHY?

'CAUSE IT'S NEWS, C.J... IT'S NOT NEWS...

IT'S NOT NEWS JUST BECAUSE IT'S ENTERTAINING, DANNY.

IT'S NEWS 'CAUSE THE MEDIA DIRECTOR

OF A SUCCESSFUL PRESIDENTIAL CAMPAIGN WROTE A MEMO

TO A LEADER OF THE PRESIDENT'S PARTY

DESCRIBING HIS WEAKNESSES.

THERE ARE OTHER PEOPLE IN THE PRESIDENT'S PARTY--

A LOT OF THEM BUY MY NEWSPAPER--

AND THEY'D LIKE TO KNOW WHAT MANDY THINKS.

MANDY WAS WORKING FOR THE PRESIDENT THAT'S NOAT THE TIME...

I DON'T CARE IF SHE WAS WORKING FOR BASKIN-ROBBINS

WHEN SHSHE'S A KEY PLAYER THISIN THE DEMOCRATIC PARTY

AND SHE SAYS THE PRESIDENT IS STAGGERINGLY VULNERABLE.

AND THAT MAY NOT BE GOOD NEWS FOR YOU, C.J.

BUT IT'S NEWS.

AT THIS MORNING'S BRIEFING

YOU ASKED US TO WRITE ABOUT EASTER EGGS

SO I WOULDN'T BE... FINE.

WE'LL HAVE A COMMENT FOR YOU BY THE END OF THE DAY.

NONE OF THIS IS OUR FAULT, C.J.!

A PRETTY ACCURATE ANALYSIS AND YOU KNOW IT.TTER'S

YOU KNEW WHY SHE WAS WORKING FOR RUSSELL.

YOU KNEW SHE WROTE A MEMO.

WHY DIDN'T YOU ASK HER FOR IT WHEN YOU HIRED HER?

"MANDY, TELL US EVERYTHING YOU THINK WE'RE DOING WRONG."

'CAUSE YOU KNEW WHAT SHE WAS GOING TO SAY.

YOU KNEW SHE WAS RIGHT.

YOU KNEW THERE WAS NOTHING YOU COULD DO ABOUT IT.

YOU GUYS ARE STUCK IN THE MUD AROUND HERE

AND NONE OF IT IS THE FAULT OF THE PRESS.

I KNOW YOU'RE FRUSTRATED.

BUT IT AIN'T NOTHING COMPARED TO THE FRUSTRATION

SO DON'T COME IN HERE OF THE AND QUESTION MY...OR YOU

"WE'LL HAVE A COMMENT FOR YOU BY THE END OF THE DAY"?

WHEN I WANT THE WHITE HOUSE TO COMMENT ON A STORY OF MINE

I'LL ASK FOR IT, C.J.

I GOT TO DO THIS, I HAVE TO DO THIS WORK.

OKAY.

Man: I'D LIKE TO GO ON RECORD AS SAYING...

Sam: CONGRESSMAN...

THERE IS NO RECORD.TO GO WE'RE JUST TALKING..

I'D LIKE TO GO ON RECORD SAYING

THAT I HAVE NO OBJECTION TO WHAT SOMEBODY DOES

IN THE PRIVACY OF THEIR OWN HOME.

BUT WHEN WE'RE TALKING ABOUT SCHOOLROOMS

OR WE'RE TALKING ABOUT THE BOY SCOUTS

AND WHEN WE'RE TALKING ABOUT AN ARMY BARRACKS...

KEN, THERE'S SOMETHING I'VE ALWAYS WANTED TO ASK YOU.

MEAN YOU CAN'T KEEP YOUR HANDS TO YOURSELF?ING GAY

WHAT KIND OF PRIDE ARE THE ARMED FORCES WILLING TO LAY CLAIM

TO RESTRAINT IN THAT AREA?

YOU WANT ME TO GET THE FILE ON SEXUAL HARASSMENT

IN THE D.O.D.? WANT TO ASK THESE GUYS ABOUT TAILHOOK?

I'VE HAD ENOUGH.

I'VE HAD MORE THAN ENOUGH.

SAM, DON'T ASK, DON'T TELL, DON'T PURSUE IS THE LAW.

IT'S FEDERAL LAW, AND IT TAKES AN ACT OF CONGRESS

TO CHANGE IT.

IF THE PRESIDENT

WAS SERIOUS ABOUT CHANGING IT, HE'D BE SERIOUS.

HE WOULD NOT SEND YOU IN HERE WITH ME.

HE WOULD NOT SEND YOU IN HERE

WITH TWO RELATIVELY JUNIOR D.O.D. STAFFERS.

HE'D CALL HIS STAFF TOGETHER

HE'D SAY, "I WANT A RESOLUTION IN THE HOUSE.

"I WANT 50 HIGH-PROFILE COSPONSORS

I WANT A DEAL AND I WANT IT NOW."

HAS THE PRESIDENT DONE THAT?

THE PRESIDENT'S VERACITY ON THIS...

HAS THE PRESIDENT DONE THAT, SAM?

NO.

OKAY, THEN.

IS THIS MEETING ANYTHING MORE THAN A WASTE OF TIME?

NO.

OKAY THEN.

I.T. SUPPORT IS NOW ACCUSING ME OF BEING A HACKER.

THEY'RE ACCUSING ME OF SPAMMING OR SMURFING.

THEY ASKED ME IF I WAS RUNNING A TROJAN HORSE.

I SAID, "NO, I..."

I WAS SIMPLY INFORMING THE OTHERS

THAT THE CALORIE COUNT IN THE RAISIN MUFFIN WAS WRONG.

AND IT IS, TOBY.

YOU DON'T BELIEVE ME.

YOU SHOULD TAKE ONE OF THOSE MUFFINS

AND TAKE IT DOWN TO THE LAB.

I'LL DO THAT.

WILL YOU?

GET ME A MUFFIN.

BE CAREFUL NOT TO HANDLE IT YOURSELF.

YOU WANT TO USE GLOVES.

SLIP IT TO ME IN A PLASTIC BAG.

I'LL SEND IT OFF TO THE LAB.

YOU'RE MOCKING ME NOW, AREN'T YOU?

YES.

Leo: COME IN.

MARGARET THINKS THE FBI's

GOING TO BUST IN HERE ANY MINUTE.

I'VE GOT MY SECOND BIT OF BAD NEWS FOR YOU TODAY, LEO.

YOU'VE GOT NEW NUMBERS?

YEAH.

HOW BAD IS IT?

CNN/USA TODAY PUTS OUR JOB APPROVAL AT 42%.

WE DROPPED FIVE POINTS?

IN A WEEK?

YEAH.

HIS UNFAVORABLES ARE HIGHER THAN HIS FAVORABLES

54% OF THE COUNTRY FIS LIKELY TO VOTE

FOR A REPUBLICAN CONGRESSIONAL CANDIDATE IN NOVEMBER.

WE DROPPED FIVE POINTS IN THE WEEK?

YEAH.

WE DIDN'T DO ANYTHING

LAST WEEK.

I'LL SAY.

TOBY, WHEN YOU START THINKING ABOUT JUMPING SHIP

YOU'LL LET ME KNOW, RIGHT?

ONE VICTORY IN A YEAR, LEO.

TOBY...

THIS PRESIDENT WAS ELECTED WITH 48% OF THE VOTE.

YES, BUT HE WAS ELECTED.

WITHOUT A MANDATE.

THE MAJORITY OF PEOPLE

VOTED FOR SOMEBODY ELSE.

I DON'T CARE, LEO.

HE WAS ELECTED, HE WAS SWORN IN.

I WAS STANDING TEN FEET FROM THE CHIEF JUSTICE.

IT'S NOT THE EASIEST CIRCUMSTANCE...

ONE VICTORY IN A YEAR WHO SAISN'T SO BAD.E EASY?

ONE VICTORY IN A YEAR STINKS

IN THE LIFE OF AN ADMINISTRATION.

BUT IT'S NOT THE ONES WE LOSE THAT BOTHER ME, LEO.

WE DON'T IT'S THE ONSUIT UP FOR.

AND I'M NOT TOO CRAZY ABOUT

YOU QUESTIONING MY LOYALTY JUST THEN.

( knocking )

YEAH?

HEY.

HEY, C.J.

THE PRESIDENT'S READING MANDY'S MEMO.

I JUST GAVE IT TO HIM.

I WISH YOU HADN'T DONE THAT.

IT'S JUST GOING TO PISS HIM OFF.

IT'LL BE IN THE NEWSPAPERS TOMORROW.

WHO HAS IT? YOU FIND OUT

DANNY.

AND HE'S WRITING IT?

YEAH. IT SHOULD RUN RIGHT NEXT TO THE NEW POLLING NUMBERS.

HOW'D WE DROP FIVE POINTS IN A WEEK?

Leo: IT HAPPENED.

LET'S MOVE ON.

WHAT I THINK IS

THE SENATE WILL CONFIRM BACON AND CALHOUN.

THEY'LL HAVE TO

BECAUSE TAND THE VOTERS WANT ARCAMPAIGN REFORM.

AS A PUNISHMENT

THEY'LL ROLL OUT A LEGISLATIVE AGENDA

DESIGNED TO FORCE THE PRESIDENT TO COME DOWN

ON THE UNPOPULAR SIDE OF EVERYTHING.

THEY'LL BRING OUT ENGLISH AS THE NATIONAL LANGUAGE.

WE WON'T LET IT ON THE TABLE.

WE SHOULDN'T BE AFRAID...

JOSH...

WE SHOULDN'T BE AFRAID

TO GET INTO IT ON ENGLISH...

HE WON'T LET IT ON THE TABLE.

THEN WE'LL LIVE WITH THEIR CANDIDATES FOR THE F.E.C.

AS WE ALWAYS HAVE.

YES.

Leo: WHAT ABOUT YOU?

MY MEETING?

YEAH.

IT WAS THE SAME MEETING

WE'VE BEEN HAVING FOR...

IT WAS FINE.

YEAH?

I'M SORRY TO INTERRUPT.

WHO'S GOT THIS?

DANNY CONCANON.

WHY AM I JUST FINDING OUT ABOUT THIS NOW?

WE SPENT MOST OF THE DAY

LEARNING ABOUT IT OURSELVES.

I REALLY DID WAKE UP ENERGIZED THIS MORNING.

I KNOW.

I NEVER GO TO BED THAT WAY.

I KNOW.

JUST ONCE, IN THIS JOB, I'D LIKE TO END A DAY

FEELING AS GOOD AS I DID WHEN THE DAY STARTED.

ARE YOU BOTHERED BY THIS?

THE MEMO?

YEAH.

YES.

WE'VE HEARD IT ALL BEFORE, LEO.

YOU DRIVE ME TO THE POLITICAL SAFE GROUND.

IT'S NOT TRUE.

I KNOW IT'S NOT TRUE.

GOOD.

YOU DRIVE ME THERE.

WHAT THE HELL DID YOU SAY?

AND YOU KNOW IT, TOO.

LEO...

WE'RE STUCK IN NEUTRAL BECAUSE THAT'S WHERE

YOU TELL ME TO STAY. YOU'RE WRONG.

NO, I'M NOT, SIR.

YOU WANT TO DO THIS NOW?

SIR?

YOU CAME TO MY HOUSE... MR. PRESIDENT...

YOU CAME TO MY HOUSE, LEO, AND YOU SAID

"JED, LET'S RUN FOR PRESIDENT," AND I SAID, "WHY?"

AND YOU SAID, "SO THAT YOU CAN OPEN YOUR MOUTH AND SAY WHAT YOU THINK."

SIR...

WHERE'D THAT PART GO, LEO?

YOU TELL ME, MR. PRESIDENT.

I DON'T SEE A SHORTAGE OF CAMERAS

OR MICROPHONES AROUND HERE.

WHAT THE HELL WERE YOU WAITING FOR?

LOOK... EVERYTHING YOU DO...

THIS MORNING...

EVERYTHING YOU DO SAYS:

"FOR GOD SAKES, LEO, I DON'T WANT TO BE

A ONE-TERM PRESIDENT."

DID I NOT SAY PUT OUR GUYS ON THE F.E.C.?

NO, SIR, YOU DID NOT.

YOU SAID-- NO--

YOU SAID, "LET'S DANGLE OUR FEET

"IN THE WATER OF WHATEVER HELL IT IS WE DANGLE

OUR FEET IN WHEN WE WANT TO MAKE IT LOOK LIKE WE'RE TRYING

WITHOUT PISSING TOO MANY PEOPLE OFF.

YOU'RE WRITING A FASCINATING VERSION OF HISTORY, MY FRIEND.

OH, TAKEAND YOU'LL READY'S MEMO, A FASCINATING VERSION OF IT.

YOU BROUGHT ME IN ON TEACHERS

YOU BROUGHT ME IN ON CAPITAL GAINS

YOU BROUGHT ME IN ON CHINA

AND YOU BROUGHT ME IN ON GUNS.

YOU'VE NEVER BEEN OUT THERE BROUGHT YON GUNS.OM WHERE?

YOU'VE NEVER BEEN OUT THERE ON TEACHERS.

AND I'M THE HALL MONITOR YOU AROUND HERE.FEET

IT'S MY JOB TO MAKE SURE NOBODY RUNS TOO FAST

OR GOES OFF TOO FAR.

I TELL JOSH TO GO THE HILL ON CAMPAIGN FINANCE.

HE KNOWS NOTHING'S GOING TO COME OF IT.

THAT'S CRAP.

SAM CAN'T REAL ON DON'T ASK, DON'T TELL

AND EVERY GUY SITTING ACROSS THE TABLE FROM HIM KNOWS THAT.

LEO, IF I EVER TOLD YOU TO GET AGGRESSIVE ON CAMPAIGN FINANCE

YOU WOULD TELL ME, OR"DON'T RUN TOO FASTRY

OR GO TOO FAR."

IF YOU EVER TOLD ME TO GET AGGRESSIVE ABOUT ANYTHING

I'D SAY I SERVE AT THE PLEASURE OF THE PRESIDENT.

BUT WE'LL NEVER KNOW, SIR

BECAUSE I DON'T THINK YOU'RE EVER GOING TO SAY--

I HAVE SAID IT AND NOTHING'S EVER HAPPENED!

YOU WANT TO SEE ME ORCHESTRATE THIS RIGHT NOW?

YOU WANT TO SEE ME MOBILIZE THESE PEOPLE?

THESE PEOPLE WHO WOULD WALK INTO FIRE

IF YOU TOLD THEM TO.

THESE PEOPLE WHO SHOWED UP TO LEAD.

THESE PEOPLE WHO SHOWED UP TO FIGHT.

THAT GUY GETS DEATH THREATS 'CAUSE HE'S BLACK

AND HE DATES YOUR DAUGHTER.

HE WAS WARNED: DO NOT SHOW UP

TO THIS PLACE, YOUR LIFE WILL BE IN DANGER.

HE SAID, "TO HELL WITH THAT; I'M GOING, ANYWAY."

YOU SAID, "NO."

PRUDENT OR NOT PRUDENT

THIS 21-YEAR-OLD, AT $600 A WEEK

SAID, "I'M GOING WHERE I WANT TO BECAUSE A MAN STANDS UP."

EVERYONE'S WAITING FOR YOU.

I DON'T KNOW HOW MUCH LONGER.

I DON'T WANT TO FEEL LIKE THIS ANYMORE.

YOU DON'T HAVE TO.

I DON'T WANT TO GO TO SLEEP LIKE THIS.

YOU DON'T HAVE TO.

I WANT TO SPEAK.

SAY IT OUT LOUD. SAY IT TO ME.

THIS IS MORE IMPORTANT THAN REELECTION.

I WANT TO SPEAK NOW.

SAY IT AGAIN.

THIS IS MORE IMPORTANT

THAN REELECTION.

I WANT TO SPEAK NOW.

NOW WE'RE IN BUSINESS.

WE GOT OUR ASSES KICKED WHAT'SIN THE FIRST QUARTER

BUT IT'S TIME TO GET UP OFF THE MAT.

YES! SAY IT.

THIS IS MORE IMPORTANT THAN REELECTION.

I WANT TO SPEAK NOW.

I'M GOING TO TALK TO THE STAFF.

I'LL TAKE THEM OFF THE LEASH.

YOU HAVE A STRATEGY FOR ALL THIS?

THE BEGINNINGS OF ONE.

WHAT IS IT?

I'M GOING TO TRY THAT FOR A LITTLE WHILE.

LISTEN UP--

OUR GROUND GAME ISN'T WORKING.

WE'RE GOING TO PUT THE BALL IN THE AIR.

IF WE'RE GOING TO WALK INTO WALLS

I WANT US RUNNING INTO THEM

FULL SPEED.

WELL, YOU CAN START BY TELLING THE HILL

THE PRESIDENT'S NAMED HIS NOMINEES TO THE F.E.C.

AND WE'RE GOING TO LOSE SOME OF THESE BATTLES

AND WE MIGHT EVEN LOSE THE WHITE HOUSE

BUT WE'RE NOT GOING TO BE THREATENED BY ISSUES.

WE'RE GOING TO PUT THEM FRONT AND CENTER.

WE'RE GOING TO RAISE THE LEVEL

OF PUBLIC DEBATE IN THIS COUNTRY.

AND LET THAT BE OUR LEGACY.

THAT SOUND ALL RIGHT TO YOU, JOSH?

OF THE PRESIDENT IOF THE UNITED STATES.

YEAH?

I SERVE AT THE PLEASURE OF THE PRESIDENT.

I SERVE AT THE PLEASURE OF PRESIDENT BARTLET.

TOBY?

I SERVE AT THE PLEASURE OF THE PRESIDENT.

GOOD.

THEN LET'S GET IN THE GAME.