Original subtitles

PREVIOUSLY ON THE WEST WING.

I CAME HERE WITH SOMEONE.

AL.

C.J.: HAVE EITHER OF YOU HEARD ANYTHING

ABOUT A PIECE OF PAPER THAT'S GOING AROUND?

I KNOW EVERYTHING ABOUT IT. WHAT DO YOU MEAN?

I WROTE IT.

YOU KNOW WHAT IT IS?

IT'S A STRATEGY MEMO.

TO DO WHAT?

BEAT US IN THREE YEARS.

WHO HAS IT?

I DO.

I AM A RECOVERING ALCOHOLIC AND DRUG ADDICT.

TWO SEATS OPENED UP ON THE FEDERAL ELECTION COMMISSION?

AND THE SENATE LEADERSHIP WILL FILL THEM.

WHAT IF THIS TIME WE SAY WE WANT OUR GUYS?

EMBARRASS US LIKE THIS, AND WE WILL GIVE THE SAME BACK TO YOU TENFOLD.

President: I GET NERVOUS AROUND LAWS THAT FUNDAMENTALLY ASSUME

THAT AMERICANS CAN'T BE TRUSTED.

WE'D BETTER HAVE MANDATORY SENTENCING

BECAUSE JUDGES CAN'T BE TRUSTED TO DISPERSE EVENHANDED JUSTICE.

( applause )

WE'D BETTER HAVE TERM LIMITS

'CAUSE VOTERS CAN'T BE TRUSTED TO RECOGNIZE CORRUPTION.

OH, AND BY THE WAY-- I SAY, BY THE WAY

WHEN THE PLAYING FIELD IS LEVELED

AND THE PROCESS IS FAIR AND OPEN

IT TURNS OUT WE HAVE TERM LIMITS.

THEY'RE CALLED ELECTIONS.

( cheering )

And I tell you... I tell you I get nervous...

THE PRESIDENT ATE HIS WHEATIES THIS MORNING.

AS A MATTER OF FACT, THE PRESIDENT HAD

A BOWL OF OATMEAL THIS MORNING.

HE SAID IT WAS SOMETHING HE'S ALWAYS WANTED TO TRY.

or we won't be able to prosper in the new economic...

FOLKS, LISTEN UP. IN A MOMENT OR TWO

THE PRESIDENT'S GOING TO SAY SOMETHING

THAT'S SURE TO GET YOU ALL SHOUTING MY NAME AT ONCE.

THERE'LL BE A FULL BRIEFING TONIGHT AT THE WHITE HOUSE.

C.J., LOOK... YOU DON'T WANT TO MISS THIS.

EXCUSE ME. WHAT'S GOING ON?

THE PRESIDENT'S THROWING HIS CAP OVER THE WALL.

WHAT DOES THAT MEAN? YOU'RE ABOUT TO FIND OUT.

...and put American democracy on the auction block.

MY FATHER WAS VERY FOND OF THE ANALOGY

OF THE IRISH LADS WHOSE JOURNEY WAS BLOCKED

BY A BRICK WALL, SEEMINGLY TOO HIGH

to scale.

THROWING THEIR CAPS OVER THE WALL

THE LADS HAD NO CHOICE BUT TO FOLLOW.

HOW MANY TIMES IN THE GREAT HISTORY OF OUR COUNTRY

HAVE WE COME TO A WALL

seemingly too high to scale

only to throw our caps to the other side?

THIS WAS GIVEN TO ME BY A CONSTITUENT

WHO READ IN TIME MAGAZINE THAT I LIKE COGNAC.

THE PROBLEM IS THAT THIS IS BRANDY, NOT COGNAC.

ANYONE KNOW THE DIFFERENCE?

COGNAC IS SUPPOSED TO COME FROM THE...

SENATOR? ...COGNAC REGION OF FRANCE, THAT'S RIGHT.

STEVE, SIT DOWN WITH US, WOULD YOU?

THE MAN'S NOT GOING TO SAY ANYTHING OF INTEREST.

I THINK HE IS.

WHAT ARE YOU TALKING ABOUT?

LISTEN.

Tomorrow morning, we're going to begin to change

the way elections are supervised in this country.

HE'S GOING TO NAME TWO FINANCE REFORMERS TO THE F.E.C.

WHAT THE HELL ARE YOU TALKING ABOUT?

LISTEN. YOU SAID IT WASN'T GOING TO HAPPEN.

I WAS WRONG.

WRONG?

HE'S GOING TO NAME...

SOMEBODY? JOHN BACON.

JOHN BACON AND PATTY CALHOUN.

YOU TOLD HIM THEY TAKE ON CAMPAIGN FINANCE REFORM

I ROLL OUT A LEGISLATIVE AGENDA THAT WILL MAKE HIS BOSS

SIT DOWN AND CRY?

I MADE IT VERY CLEAR.

Tomorrow, I am proud to nominate John Branford Bacon

and Patricia Calhoun to the Federal Election Commission.

GET HIM ON THE PHONE. WHO?

JOSH LYMAN. GET HIM ON THE PHONE.

I'M GOING TO REACH DOWN HIS THROAT

AND TAKE OUT HIS LUNGS WITH AN ICE-CREAM SCOOP.

YOU'RE ABOUT TO GET A CALL. YEAH.

BIG CALL. YEAH.

POWERFUL GUY. YEAH.

I'M JUST SAYING YOU'RE PROBABLY ROCKED BACK

FROM YOUR MEETING LAST WEEK.

A LITTLE.

THEY THREATENED YOU WITH A LEGISLATIVE AGENDA.

YEAH.

THEY MADE YOU FEEL POWERLESS

AND YOU'RE A LITTLE OFF YOUR GAME.

YEAH. A LITTLE GUN SHY.

LEAVE HIM ALONE.

I'M BUCKING HIM UP.

LEAVE HIM ALONE.

YOU ASKED ME TO BUCK HIM UP.

NOW I'M TELLING YOU TO LEAVE HIM ALONE.

GUYS, I'M TRYING TO WATCH THIS SPEECH.

JOSH-- THE CALL?

ON THE CELL.

The choice of nominees constitutionally belongs

to the President of the United States

YOU NEED US, WE'RE RIGHT NEXT TO YOU.

HI, SENATOR. WHY DON'T YOU TAKE YOUR LEGISLATIVE AGENDA

AND SHOVE IT UP YOUR ASS.

( cheering )

TURNS OUT I WAS FINE.

Man: C.J., IS THE WHITE HOUSE CONCERNED

THAT THE F.E.C. WILL BECOME A PARTISAN POLITICAL FOOTBALL?

I'D LIKE TO EMPHASIZE AGAIN THAT THE PRESIDENT HAS NOMINATED

ONE DEMOCRAT AND ONE REPUBLICAN

WHICH HE WAS CERTAINLY UNDER NO LEGAL OBLIGATION TO DO.

( all clamoring ) JESSIE.

IN THE PAST, THE F.E.C. COMMISSIONERS WERE CHOSEN...

IN THE PAST THE F.E.C. COMMISSIONERS

HAVE BEEN CHOSEN BY THE PRESIDENT SIGNING OFF

ON WHOMEVER THE CONGRESSIONAL LEADERSHIP POINTED TO.

WAS THE CONGRESSIONAL LEADERSHIP AWARE IN ADVANCE

THAT THE PRESIDENT WOULD BE SLIPPING

THIS ANNOUNCEMENT INTO HIS SPEECH TONIGHT?

I THINK IT'S POSSIBLE WE FORGOT TO TELL THEM.

( all clamoring )

C.J., IS THE PRESIDENT

declaring war on Congress? SAY IT'S A POLICE ACTION.

The President is not empowered to declare war.

The President is empowered, in fact he's obligated

to nominate Federal Agency Directors.

I call it more of a police action.

HOW ABOUT THAT.

TOBY WANTS YOU.

ON THE PHONE?

IN HIS OFFICE.

YOU KNOW WHY?

POLLING.

HE'S BRINGING IN AL KIEFER?

LET HIM TELL YOU.

WHY CAN'T YOU TELL ME?

'CAUSE YOU'RE GOING TO HIS OFFICE NOW

AND I'VE GOT 37 DIFFERENT THINGS...

FINE. JOSH?

YES, HE'S BRING IN AL KIEFER.

I FIGURED HE WAS BRINGING IN KIEFER.

THAT'S WHAT YOU WERE AFRAID TO TELL ME?

I WASN'T AFRAID.

THE THING IS, IT'S GOING TO BE INTERESTING

TO SEE HOW YOU REACT TO THIS

BUT KIEFER WANTS TO BRING IN A CALIFORNIA EXPERT.

THAT'S A GOOD IDEA, 'CAUSE...

WAIT. YEAH.

JOEY LUCAS.

SHE'S COMING OUT WITH KIEFER TOMORROW.

OKAY.

OKAY. BY THE WAY

THAT'S WHAT I WAS AFRAID TO TELL YOU.

YOU SHOULDN'T HAVE BEEN. YOU KNOW WHY?

IT'S NO BIG DEAL.

IT'S NO BIG DEAL, AND I'LL TELL YOU WHAT ELSE.

YOU'RE A PRO?

I AM A PRO, BUT THAT'S NOT WHAT I WAS GOING TO SAY.

WHAT WERE YOU GOING TO SAY?

THAT'S WHAT I WAS GOING TO SAY.

BUT BOTH THOSE THINGS ARE TRUE-- I'M A PRO

AND WHAT WAS THE OTHER ONE?

IT'S NO BIG DEAL.

THAT'S RIGHT.

RAMBO! YOU TALKING TO ME?

NICE PHONE CALL.

THAT'S HOW WE DO THINGS IN NEW ENGLAND, MY FRIENDS.

IN INDIANA, WE'RE NOT ALLOWED TO TALK LIKE THAT.

IN NEW JERSEY, WE ENCOURAGE IT.

WHERE'S TOBY?

IN SAM'S OFFICE.

HEY.

HANG ON.

THAT'S GOOD.

GOOD.

OKAY.

SAM?

YEAH?

YOU'RE GOING TO COME TO A VERB SOON, RIGHT?

OKAY. YOU KNOW WHAT THIS IS CALLED?

BAD WRITING?

IMAGERY.

WELL, YOU SAY POTATO.

JOSH, IT'S A BIG POLLING WEEK.

I'M BRINGING IN AL KIEFER.

YOU'VE TURNED 180 DEGREES ON KIEFER.

I DON'T WANT HIM ADVISING THE PRESIDENT.

I WANT HIM BRINGING US NUMBERS.

ADVISING PEOPLE IS WHAT POLLSTERS DO.

HE'LL DO WHAT I TELL HIM TO DO.

ENGLISH AS THE NATIONAL LANGUAGE.

IT'S THE FIRST THING THEY'LL FIRE BACK WITH.

WE NEED HISPANICS.

YOU KNOW WHAT STATE HAS A LARGE POPULATION

OF HISPANICS?

UH, I WANT TO SAY MAINE.

CALIFORNIA.

CALIFORNIA. DAMN.

AND I WAS ONLY OFF BY A CONTINENT.

JOSH...

IT'S FINE.

BRING HER OUT HERE.

SHE'LL BE HERE TOMORROW.

THIS ISN'T A THING.

OKAY.

I MET HER TWICE, TOBY.

YEAH, BUT ONE OF THOSE TIMES SHE BROKE YOUR HEART.

YOU KNOW, THE WAY

WOMEN CAN DO--

THE WAY THEY TAKE YOUR HEART

AND THEY THROW IT ON THE FLOOR

AND THEN THEY STOMP ON IT WITH THEIR BIG HIG H-HEELS.

SHE'S A VERY BEAUTIFUL

AND INTERESTING WOMAN, JOSH.

I CAN SEE HOW A LOT OF GUYS WOULD GO FOR HER.

YOU KNOW, THERE'S NOTHING AT ALL THAT I'M SAYING NOW OF ANY VALUE

SO I THINK THE THING TO DO IS

I THINK I SHOULD JUST KEEP WRITING.

OKAY.

( clearing throat )

WE HAD A GOOD NIGHT.

YEAH.

C.J.'s DOING GREAT IN THERE.

ANYTIME YOU WANT TO USE PUNCTUATION, THAT'D BE FINE.

Reporters: C.J.?

C.J.: I'LL TAKE ONE MORE QUESTION.

KATIE?

THE FEDERAL ELECTION COMMISSION'S ROLE

HAS NEVER BEEN MUCH MORE THAN SYMBOLIC.

I WOULDN'T SAY

F.E.C.'s MERELY SYMBOLIC, BUT IF YOU'RE SUGGESTING

THAT THEY'RE TOOTHLESS, I'LL AGREE.

DOES THE WHITE HOUSE FEEL THAT TWO NEW COMMISSIONERS

WILL MAKE ANY DIFFERENCE?

NO. THEN WHY DO IT?

SYMBOLISM.

THERE'LL BE PLENTY MORE TOMORROW.

EVERYBODY, HAVE A GOOD NIGHT.

CAROL? ( clamoring )

( whispering )

JACK, C.J.'s INVITING YOU BACK

TO FOLLOW UP ON A COUPLE OF THINGS.

ME?

YEAH.

SHE DOESN'T WANT ME.

SHE'S WANTS DANNY.

NO, SHE ASKED FOR YOU.

DANNY-- THE SENIOR WHITE HOUSE CORRESPONDENT--

IF THERE'S GOING TO BE AN EXCLUSIVE WITH THE PRESS SECRETARY...

NO. SHE WANT'S YOU.

Sam: MANDATORY MINIMUMS ARE RACIST...

Toby: I UNDERSTAND THAT.

THEY'RE A RED HERRING.

I UNDERSTAND THAT, TOO.

IT'S A WAY OF LOOKING LIKE YOU'RE TOUGH ON CRIME

WITHOUT ASSUMING THE BURDEN OF BEING TOUGH ON CRIME.

EVERYTHING YOU'VE SAID, I UNDERSTAND.

WE DO THINGS ONE THING AT A TIME.

BUT WE DON'T HAVE TIME TO DO THINGS ONE THING AT A TIME.

WE'RE TALKING ABOUT TREATMENT.

I'M TALKING ABOUT TREATMENT.

AND I'M TALKING ABOUT MANDATORY MINIMUMS

AND I'M SAYING IT'S A RED HERRING

AND I'M SAYING IT'S RACIST.

WHEN YOU TALK TO THE PRESIDENT

I WANT YOU TALKING ABOUT TREATMENT VERSUS ENFORCEMENT

AND I DON'T WANT YOU TO STRAY FROM THAT.

TOBY, IS THIS WHAT YOU MEANT WHEN YOU SAID

"SAM, YOU'RE COMPLETELY IN CHARGE OF THIS"?

YES. I MEANT YOU'RE COMPLETELY IN CHARGE OF THIS

IN THE SENSE THAT YOU ARE SUBORDINATE TO ME IN EVERY WAY.

WHERE IS THIS PLACE?

WHAT PLACE? THE BREAKFAST PLACE.

IT'S STILL ON THE LAST STREET.

WHY DIDN'T YOU SAY ANYTHING?

WE WERE HAVING A NICE CONVERSATION.

MR. McGARRY, WOULD YOU LIKE SOME TOMATO JUICE

WHILE YOU'RE WAITING FOR THE OTHERS?

THANKS, CELIA.

ALL SET THERE?

YEAH.

LEO.

WE COULDN'T MEET CLOSER TO THE OFFICE?

I DON'T WANT PEOPLE COMING BY THE TABLE.

WE COULDN'T MEET IN THE OFFICE?

I WAS HUNGRY.

WE COULDN'T HAVE FOOD ORDERED?

OH, SIT DOWN, WOULD YOU?

THAT JOSH HAS ON YOU SHOULD NOTICA NICE SUIT.

WE'LL CALL IT HIS JOEY LUCAS SUIT.

DONNA! YOU KNOW, FROM NOW ON.

JOEY LUCAS IS COMING? WE NEED A CALIFORNIA EXPERT

AND THIS IS MY REGULAR TUESDAY SUIT.

YOU ASSIGN YOUR CLOTHES DAYS OF THE WEEK?

I'M SAYING THERE'S NO PARTICULAR M.O. BEHIND...

WE FOUND IT.

ABOUT TIME. SIT DOWN.

UH, LEO... HANG ON.

TALK TO ME ABOUT DRUGS.

WE CAN MAKE A CASE FOR TREATMENT VERSUS ENFORCEMENT

AND WE'RE READY TO GO TO THE PRESIDENT.

WE'RE ALSO READY TO GO TO THE PRESIDENT

WITH MANDATORY MINIMUMS ON CRACK

VERSUS POWDER COCAINE.

ONE STEP AT A TIME.

THAT'S WHAT TOBY JUST SAID.

TOBY'S RIGHT.

YES. DOES ANYONE REMEMBER

THAT I WAS PUT IN CHARGE?

IT WAS AN HONORARY THING, SAM.

LEO.

YEAH?

ARE YOU READY TO ORDER?

WRITE THESE NAMES DOWN.

DALTON...

DAWSON...

FOXWORTHY, GREER...

MORGENTHAU...

STACKHOUSE...

SUGARBAKER.

THANK YOU.

WHAT WAS THAT?

YOU KNOW WHAT THAT WAS.

LEO, WHAT DO YOU WANT ME TO DO WITH THESE NAMES?

HOLD ON TO THEM UNTIL I SAY SO.

IT'S EXACTLY THE RIGHT THING TO DO.

FROM ANYBODY BUT ME.

I'D LIKE TO CLEAR UP

THAT I DON'T HAVE SUITS FOR DAYS OF THE WEEK.

THIS IS JUST A REGULAR SUIT.

IT'S A NICE SUIT.

SURE IT'S A NICE SUIT.

IT'S HIS JOEY LUCAS SUIT.

DONNA! I'M BEGINNING TO REGRET

NOT GETTING THE WAFFLES.

I AM BEGINNING TO REGRET

HAVING HIRED ANY OF YOU.

WE HAVE A 42% JOB APPROVAL

AND YOU'RE TALKING ABOUT WAFFLES

AND SOMETHING WITH JOSH I DON'T UNDERSTAND.

HE'S WEARING A SPECIAL SUIT FOR JOEY LUCAS.

YOU GOT DRESSED UP FOR A GUY NAMED JOEY?

JOEY LUCAS IS A WOMAN

AND I'M NOT GETTING DRESSED UP FOR HER.

IT'S HIS REGULAR TUESDAY SUIT.

MY POINT IS, WE HAVE TO MAKE IT THROUGH THE WEEK

WITHOUT MAKING ANY MISTAKES.

WE WILL. I'M SAYING...

I'M SAYING, CALM DAWN.

I'M PERFECTLY CALM.

YOU'RE NOT CALM, LEO.

YOU'RE ACTING LIKE A NERVOUS HOOLEELIA.

A WHAT?

IT MAY NOT BE A WORD.

IT MAY JUST BE SOMETHING MY MOTHER USED TO SAY.

Kiefer: IT'S A HUGE MISTAKE.

IT IS A HUGE MISTAKE, MR. PRESIDENT

AND POSSIBLY A FATAL ONE.

IT'LL DOOM THE MIDTERMS IN NOVEMBER

IT WILL HAUNT YOU AT THE CONVENTION

AND, IF YOU MANAGE TO GET RENOMINATED--

WHICH IS FAR FROM A LOCK--

THERE'S NO WAY YOU WIN REELECTION.

AL'S MR. GOOD NEWS HAPPY-GUY.

SAM...

FOR THE FIRST TIME

MORE VOTERS DISAPPROVE THAN APPROVE

OF THE PRESIDENT'S JOB PERFORMANCE.

42% APPROVAL.

THIS IS NOT THE TIME TO COME OUT FOR LEGALIZATION.

WE'RE NOT COMING OUT FOR LEGALIZATION.

IT'S GOING TO BE A LONG DAY.

KIEFER'S JUST GETTING WARMED UP.

LISTEN.

YOU'RE KIDDING.

NO.

HE DOESN'T WANT ME IN THERE?

LEO'S NOT COMFORTABLE WITH IT.

LEO'S NOT COMFORTABLE WITH IT? NO.

I'LL TALK TO THE PRESIDENT.

YOU CAN'T. C.J....

IT WAS JUST A MEMO.

IT WASN'T JUST A MEMO.

DO YOU HAVE ANY IDEA

HOW PISSED PEOPLE ARE AT YOU?

C.J.... THEY'RE PISSED AT ME.

THAT'S HOW PISSED THEY ARE AT YOU.

THEY WANT TO KNOW WHY I DIDN'T KNOW ABOUT THE MEMO.

I CAN BE TRUSTED.

WE'LL SEE.

THERE'S PLENTY FOR YOU TO DO.

LEO WOULD FEEL MORE COMFORTABLE

IF YOU STAYED OUT OF THIS MEETING.

OKAY. OKAY!

YOU'RE COMING... DRUG CONTROL...

MR. PRESIDENT... LISTEN TO ME.

DRUG CONTROL APPROPRIATIONS...

WHICH TOTAL $17.6 BILLION...

ARE DIVIDED INTO A RATIO OF TWO-THIRDS

ENFORCEMENT, ONE-THIRD TREATMENT.

WE WANT TO REVERSE THAT RATIO.

SPEND LESS MONEY

ON DRUG ENFORCEMENT?

SO WE CAN SPEND MORE ON TREATMENT.

SO YOU'RE SOFT ON CRIME.

YOU DON'T CARE IF KIDS SHOOT UP

ON THE PLAYGROUND AT RECESS.

WE DON'T CARE, DO WE, SAM?

WHAT DID I MISS?

KIEFER'S BEEN HERE 45 MINUTES.

HE'S ALREADY GOT ME ON THE PLAYGROUND AT RECESS.

TOOK YOU 45 MINUTES?

Toby: MR. PRESIDENT, SAM AND I HAVE BEEN WORKING

WITH THE OFFICE OF NATIONAL DRUG CONTROL POLICY.

WE HAVE SOME NUMBERS YOU SHOULD HEAR.

LET'S HEAR THEM.

WHAT'S UP?

JOEY LUCAS IS HERE.

SHE'S WAITING IN YOUR OFFICE.

OKAY. OKAY.

WHAT ARE YOU SMILING AT?

FINE-LOOKING WOMAN, JOSH.

YES.

I COULD HELP YOU OUT.

HELP ME OUT WITH WHAT?

SHE'S A FINE-LOOKING WOMAN.

STOP SAYING THAT.

I OWE YOU A LOT, JOSH.

YOU GOT ME THIS JOB.

I'D LIKE TO PAY YOU BACK.

BY HELPING ME OUT? BY HELPING YOU OUT.

WHAT MAKES YOU THINK I NEED ANY HELP?

SHE'S A FINE-LOOKING WOMAN, JOSH.

GET AWAY FROM ME.

HEY, JOEY. HEY, KENNY.

GOOD TO SEE YOU.

I'VE GOT YOUR DESK SET UP OUT HERE.

WHY DON'T YOU COME WITH ME.

HEY!

YEAH?

MY FLIGHT WAS FINE, THANK YOU.

JOEY, WE'RE IN A BIT OF A MODE HERE

AND I THINK IT'S BEST IF WE JUST DO BUSINESS.

PLUS, THIS IS THE WHITE HOUSE.

I WOULDN'T EXPECT CANDY AND FLOWERS ON YOUR ARRIVAL.

EXCUSE ME.

JOEY, THESE ARE FROM LEO McGARRY.

HE SAYS WELCOME

AND LET HIM KNOW IF THERE'S ANYTHING YOU NEED.

OH, THAT'S SO SWEET.

THANK HIM FOR ME.

I WILL. HAVE A GOOD FLIGHT?

GO BACK TO YOUR OFFICE.

THEY'RE CARNATIONS.

THIS IS YOUR DESK.

YOU GOT A PHONE.

YOU GOT A COMPUTER.

YOU GOT ACCESS TO A STAFF.

I KNOW HOW WOMEN LIKE

TO PERSONALIZE THEIR DESKS

WITH FLOWERS, PLANTS AND HAND LOTION

BUT I PREFER THE PLACE TO BE PROFESSIONAL.

YOUR STAFF LIKES TO DECORATE THEIR DESKS

WITH HAND LOTION?

SOME OF THEM MIGHT

AND I'M SAYING WE DON'T DO THAT ON MY SIDE OF THE BUILDING.

I'M GOING TO GO BACK TO THIS MEETING

AND THEN I'LL BRIEF YOU ON WHAT I NEED.

OKAY.

OKAY.

I'M NOT SLEEPING WITH AL KIEFER ANYMORE.

COME HERE.

CAN I HELP YOU?

YES.

HOW?

BY COMING HERE.

THIS IS A PLACE WHERE SOLEMN WORK IS DONE.

THIS IS A PLACE THAT...

THIS IS A PLACE...

LET ME SAY THIS: THIS IS NOT A PLACE

WHERE ONE'S PERSONAL THINGS...

WHERE THINGS AMONG PEOPLE...

THIS IS NOT PLACE... LET'S JUST...

THIS IS A PLACE WHERE WORK IS DONE

AND NOTHING ELSE.

YOU BET.

OKAY.

NICE SUIT.

I'LL... I'LL BE BACK.

JOSH, I MISSPOKE LAST NIGHT.

I SAID THE PRESIDENT

NOMINATED A DEMOCRAT AND A REPUBLICAN

EVEN THOUGH HE WAS

UNDER NO LEGAL OBLIGATION TO DO SO.

IT TURNS OUT HE IS.

THIS IS FROM THE WHITE HOUSE COUNSEL?

YEAH.

YOU'RE SURE?

ABOUT WHAT?

YOU SAID HE NOMINATED A DEMOCRAT AND A REPUBLICAN...

THOUGH HE WAS UNDER NO LEGAL OBLIGATION TO DO SO.

I JUST LOOKED AT THE TRANSCRIPT.

ALL RIGHT, YOU'LL FIX IT AT THE BRIEFING?

YEAH.

DON'T WORRY ABOUT IT.

Sam: THE AMERICAN MEDICAL ASSOCIATION

SAYS THAT ADDICTION IS A DISEASE.

Kiefer: YOU'RE NOT GOING TO BE ABLE TO SELL THAT.

AL, YOU'RE NOT GOING TO BE ABLE TO SELL IT.

THE A.M.A. SAYS IT.

WHY DOES HE HAVE TO SELL IT?

BECAUSE.

DRUG ADDICTION IS A DISEASE.

IT'S A MEDICAL PROBLEM.

IT CAN BE TREATED.

THIS ISN'T IDEOLOGICAL.

IT'S SCIENCE.

IT'S SCIENCE TO YOU.

SCIENCE IS SCIENCE TO EVERYBODY, AL.

WHAT DID I MISS?

TOBY WAS JUST EXPLAINING TO AL

THAT SCIENCE IS SCIENCE TO EVERYONE.

AND I BELIEVE THAT SCIENCE IS SCIENCE TO EVERYBODY.

I JUST DON'T THINK YOU CAN SELL THAT.

MR. PRESIDENT, WHILE AL TRIES

TO COME UP WITH SOMETHING EASIER TO SELL

THAN SCIENCE

WOULD YOU MIND IF I SPOKE

TO TOBY AND LEO ALONE?

GO.

HEY, JOEY LUCAS SAYS

SHE'S NOT WITH KIEFER ANYMORE.

THAT'S A LOAD OFF OUR MINDS.

YEAH. UH... C.J. MISSPOKE LAST NIGHT

DURING HER BRIEFING.

SHE'LL FIX IT WHEN SHE'S BACK IN THERE.

WHAT DID SHE SAY?

SHE SAID THE PRESIDENT

NOMINATED A DEMOCRAT AND A REPUBLICAN

WHEN HE WAS UNDER NO LEGAL OBLIGATION TO DO SO.

HE IS UNDER A LEGAL OBLIGATION.

SHE KNOWS THAT NOW. THIS IS JUST THE KIND

OF DUMB MISTAKE WE DON'T NEED RIGHT NOW.

SHE KNOWS THAT, TOO.

ALL RIGHT, WHAT ARE YOU GOING TO DO?

HOW'S IT GOING IN THERE?

SAM'S JUST STARTING.

DID YOU TALK TO HIM ABOUT

THE THING YET? NO.

ME? Leo: YEAH. LISTEN.

Josh: WE WANT YOU TO GO

TO A MEETING.

WITH WHO?

A PROMINENT HOUSE DEMOCRAT

WHO HAS A VOICE ON CAMPAIGN FINANCE REFORM

AND IF IT WAS SOMEONE ON THE ETHICS COMMITTEE

THAT WOULD BE EVEN BETTER

BECAUSE THEN SHE COULD ANSWER

SOME OF LEO'S QUESTIONS.

I USED TO BE MARRIED

TO SOMEONE WHO FITS THAT DESCRIPTION.

I SET UP LUNCH FOR THE TWO OF YOU.

YOU SET ME UP ON A DATE WITH MY EX-WIFE?

YEAH. LET HER KNOW THAT THE PRESIDENT

WON'T ASK THE DEMOCRATS TO UNILATERALLY DROP SOFT MONEY.

MAKE THAT CLEAR.

ALSO TAKE HER TEMPERATURE ON THE ETHICS THING.

OKAY.

SEE YOU LATER.

LEO?

HMM?

YOU HAD TO SEND FLOWERS?

IT'S A NICE THING TO DO.

YEAH, BUT I HAD THIS WHOLE PATTER THING GOING, AND THEN...

THE HELL WITH IT.

MARGARET?

YES?

THE LIST OF NAMES I GAVE YOU BEFORE?

DALTON, DAWSON, FOXWORTHY, GREER

MORGENTHAU, STACKHOUSE, SUGARBAKER.

YOU DIDN'T NEED TO MEMORIZE THEM.

COULDN'T HELP IT. OKAY.

MY MIND WORKS THAT WAY.

YES, CALL THEIR OFFICES.

I WANT TO SEE ONE REPRESENTATIVE APIECE AT 2:00.

I WANT THEM AS A GROUP.

IN THE OFFICE?

IN THE PRESS BRIEFING ROOM.

LEO? YEAH?

WHAT DO THOSE SEVEN PEOPLE HAVE IN COMMON?

DON'T WORRY ABOUT IT.

HELLO. HELLO.

I SEE YOU'RE ALL SETTLED IN.

UH, YES, YES.

YOUR AREA LOOKS GOOD.

NOT TOO MANY PERSONAL ITEMS.

GOT YOUR LITTLE CLOCK-- THAT'S FINE.

THANK YOU.

HERE'S THE STORY:

THE PRESIDENT ANNOUNCED LAST NIGHT HE'S NAMING

TWO CAMPAIGN FINANCE REFORM-MINDED NOMINEES TO THE F.E.C.

THIS WILL ANGER THE REPUBLICAN LEADERSHIP

TO THE EXTENT THAT THEY'LL RETALIATE.

RETALIATE HOW? THEY'LL INTRODUCE A SERIES OF BILLS

DESIGNED TO PUT THE PRESIDENT

ON THE WRONG SIDE OF PUBLIC DEBATES.

THE FIRST WILL BE A LAW MAKING ENGLISH THE NATIONAL LANGUAGE.

I ALREADY KNOW THIS, JOSH.

I'VE BEEN WORKING ON IT SINCE TOBY CALLED ME.

JOEY...

( alarm rings )

LUNCHTIME.

OVER 30% OF THE ENTIRE FEDERAL PRISON POPULATION

ARE NONVIOLENT, FIRST-TIME OFFENDERS

IN JAIL FOR DRUG-RELATED CRIMES.

SAM...

AT A COST, FOR THOSE PRISONERS ALONE... SAM...

OF $2 MILLION A DAY.

MR. PRESIDENT, WE CAN SELL THE PUBLIC ON THE IDEA

THAT TWO MILLION BUCKS A DAY CAN BE PUT TO BETTER USE.

NOT IF IT'S FOR TREATMENT.

YES, IF IT'S FOR TREATMENT.

YES, IF WE CAN DEMONSTRATE

THAT TREATMENT IS WHAT PREVENTS SUBSTANCE ABUSE.

AND YES, IF YOU CAN GET PEOPLE TO SIT STILL LONG ENOUGH

TO HEAR THAT ARGUMENT, BUT IT TAKES A LOT LESS TIME

TO HEAR "JUST SAY NO"

AND "ANYONE ON THE OTHER SIDE IS SOFT ON CRIME."

THE A.M.A....

I CAN'T SELL IT!

HE CAN'T SELL SCIENCE.

MR. PRESIDENT... I'M HUNGRY

AND NOBODY HAS CONVINCED ME OF ANYTHING.

LET'S GO EAT LUNCH AND MEET BACK HERE IN AN HOUR.

THANK YOU, SIR.

HOW'S IT GOING?

UH, WE'RE IN THE EARLY STAGES.

DO YOU KNOW WHAT YOU WANT FOR LUNCH?

THAT'S AN INTERESTING QUESTION.

SAM... I COULD HAVE TURKEY.

SAM... I COULD HAVE FISH.

WOULD YOU LIKE TO LOOK AT THE MENUS?

A NICE PIECE OF FISH NEVER HURT ANYBODY, CATHY.

HEY, SAM. STEVE.

THERE WAS AN O.M.B. MEETING DOWNSTAIRS.

I WANTED TO SEE YOU.

THEY SAID YOU WERE WITH THE PRESIDENT; I SHOULD WAIT HERE.

IS THIS ABOUT THE F.E.C. NOMINEES?

LOOK... YOU DON'T WANT TO SEE ME;

YOU WANT TO SEE JOSH.

WELL, JOSH ISN'T QUITE HIMSELF LATELY.

"STEVE, TAKE YOUR LEGISLATIVE AGENDA

AND SHOVE IT UP YOUR ASS"?

THAT SOUNDS EXACTLY LIKE JOSH TO ME.

MY BOSS IS READY TO SET THE BUILDING ON FIRE...

THEN YOUR BOSS WILL BE ARRESTED

AS I'M QUITE SURE THAT'S AGAINST THE LAW.

LOOK, DON'T MESS WITH ME, SAM. I'M SERIOUS.

AND I'M TIRED AND THIS ISN'T MY THING-- GO SEE JOSH.

YOU GOING TO EAT?

WHAT? LUNCH. YOU GOING TO EAT?

YEAH, BUT AT MY DESK. I WAS JUST GOING TO GET A...

WHAT WERE YOU HAVING?

TURKEY.

GET TWO.

IT'S A BEAUTIFUL DAY.

YES.

THIS IS NICE. IT'S LIKE A PICNIC.

THERE ARE RESTAURANTS, YOU KNOW.

INDOORS, WITH WAITERS AND TABLES.

YOU SHOULD COME SIT NEXT TO ME.

I'M WEARING A SUIT.

SO AM I.

I'M A RESPONSIBLE ADULT.

I'M A MEMBER OF THE UNITED STATES CONGRESS.

I REST MY CASE.

YOU KNOW WHAT I GOT?

WHAT?

I GOT PIE.

ANDY...

TOBY, I'VE GOT REALLY GOOD PIE.

IT'S HOMEMADE.

YOU BAKED A PIE?

NO, I DIDN'T MEAN I MADE IT IN MY HOME.

LET'S GO.

THIS PIE WAS BAKED FOR ME BY ONE OF MY CONSTITUENTS.

AND YOU TRUST IT?

WELL, THAT'S WHY I WAS HOPING YOU'D EAT IT FIRST.

ANDY?

WANT TO TALK ABOUT THE F.E.C.?

PRESIDENT'S NOT GOING TO ASK ANYONE

TO GIVE UP SOFT MONEY UNILATERALLY.

YOU'RE STILL GOING TO HEAR FROM STADLER AND ROSS.

YEAH. PROBABLY McCOVEY, LESTER, BROCK.

PROBABLY KLESKO, TRASK...

RITCHIE. YEAH.

BUT WE HAVE YOUR PEOPLE IN LINE?

YEAH.

WHAT ABOUT DRUGS?

THAT'S A DIFFERENT STORY.

ANDY... MANDATORY MINIMUMS ARE RACIST.

ONE STEP AT A TIME.

IT'S PART OF THE SAME STEP. TREATMENTS.

I'M SAYING MANDATORY MINIMUMS... I KNOW WHAT YOU'RE SAYING.

I DON'T WANT TO TALK ABOUT MANDATORY MINIMUMS.

THE SENTENCING COMMISSION'S PROPOSALS REGARDING COCAINE

RECOMMEND THAT RELATIVE TO MANDATORY FEDERAL SENTENCING...

THIS IS WHAT HAPPENS. THIS IS WHAT YOU DO.

I SAY I DON'T WANT TO TALK ABOUT MANDATORY MINIMUMS

AND WE TALK ABOUT MANDATORY MINIMUMS ANYWAY.

YOU HIJACK MY ABILITY TO MAKE THAT DECISION FOR MYSELF, ANDREA

AND MAKING DECISIONS FOR MYSELF IS MY BIRTHRIGHT.

GOOD TO GET THAT OFF YOUR CHEST, THERE, POKEY?

YES.

GOOD.

YOU DON'T HAVE A PROBLEM WITH WHAT LEO'S GOING TO DO?

NO. BUT I WANT TO BE THERE.

WHY?

JUST FOR FUN.

IT'S NOT FUN, ANDY.

OKAY.

IT'S NOT FUN.

OKAY. NOT EVERYTHING'S FUN.

OKAY!

YOU WANT TO BE THERE, YOU CAN BE THERE

BUT THIS IS A SERIOUS THING.

CAN I BRING MY PIE?

ANDY...

I'M JUST SAYING IT'S A SERIOUS THING.

THERE MIGHT NOT BE ANY FOOD THERE.

CAN YOU WALK FASTER, PLEASE?

I REALLY DON'T LIKE BEING OUTDOORS THIS LONG.

THE FACT IS, WE'RE PROBABLY

GOING TO HAVE TO CONFIRM YOUR NOMINEES. YEP.

THEY'RE TOO QUALIFIED. THEY'RE TOO QUALIFIED?

TOO QUALIFIED NOT TO CONFIRM. THAT'S A PROBLEM.

I'M SAYING THERE'S NO POLITICAL COVER.

I UNDERSTOOD WHAT YOU WERE SAYING.

SO MY QUESTION IS... STEVE, THE F.E.C. NOMINEES AREN'T MY THING.

I'M NOT TALKING ABOUT THE F.E.C. NOW.

I'M TALKING ABOUT DRUGS.

YOU'RE GEARING UP TO ANNOUNCE NEW DRUG POLICY.

WE'VE BEEN GEARING UP FOR 14 MONTHS.

YEAH, BUT NOW YOU'RE TAKING DAYLONG STRATEGY SESSIONS

IN THE OVAL OFFICE.

DRUGS ARE OBVIOUSLY IMPORTANT TO YOU.

IMPORTANT TO EVERYONE.

I MEAN PARTICULARLY TO YOU.

YOU'VE BEEN THE POINT MAN AT THE WHITE HOUSE.

SO WHY DO YOU WANT TO TRADE IT

FOR A MOVE ON CAMPAIGN FINANCES?

IT'S NOT GOING TO GET YOU ANYWHERE.

IT'S GOING TO GET ME SOMEWHERE AND I'M NOT TRADING IT IN.

YOU ARE.

WE'RE NOT BARTERING.

I'M SAYING

WITHOUT THE F.E.C. NOMINATIONS, THERE'S ROOM TO WORK WITH US.

AND WITH THE NOMINATIONS?

YOU CAN HAVE ALL THE STRATEGY SESSIONS YOU WANT.

NO ONE YOU NEED'S GOING TO TAKE YOUR PHONE CALL.

AND YOU, SAM, CAN GO BACK TO WRITING SPEECHES

FOR WHEN THE PRESIDENT MEETS THE GIRL SCOUT

WHO SOLD THE MOST CUPCAKES.

( knocking )

SAM?

COOKIES.

HUH?

GIRL SCOUTS SELL COOKIES, NOT CUPCAKES.

AND THAT WAS A PRETTY GOOD SPEECH I WROTE.

IT WAS ABOUT VOLUNTEERISM.

WELL, KEEP UP THE GOOD WORK, SAM!

I WILL.

LEO?

YEAH? I WAS JUST COMING TO SEE YOU.

I DON'T HAVE MUCH TIME. YOUR PEOPLE ARE IN THE PRESS BRIEFING ROOM.

CAROL'S KEEPING THE PRESS IN THE NORTHWEST LOBBY.

SHE'LL WAIT FOR YOUR HIGH SIGN.

I'LL BE OVER IN A MINUTE.

WE'RE TELLING ANYONE WHO ASKS WHY THE PRESS IS OUT OF THERE

THAT IT'S A SPECIAL EVENT.

GOOD.

LEO, I DON'T KNOW IF YOU HEARD...

YEAH, I DID HEAR, C.J.

YOU WANT ME TO TELL YOU HOW MANY DIFFERENT WAYS

THAT SCREWUP WAS STUPID?

I KNOW.

FOR ONE THING, DON'T PASS YOURSELF OFF AS A LEGAL AUTHORITY.

FOR ANOTHER, WHAT THE HELL ARE YOU DOING USING A PHRASE LIKE

"UNDER NO LEGAL OBLIGATION"?

YOU'RE PARSING YOUR WORDS AT A TIME WHEN THE WHOLE IDEA...

I KNOW. SO RIGHT OUT THE GATE, WE GOT TO GO BACK...

YES. THESE AMATEUR MISTAKES MAKE ME CRAZY, C.J.

YES. I'LL BE IN THERE IN A MINUTE.

Danny: THAT WAS BUSH LEAGUE.

THAT WAS BUSH LEAGUE WHAT YOU DID LAST NIGHT.

WE'LL TALK IN MY OFFICE. AND WHY CAN'T ANYONE GO IN THE PRESS ROOM?

THERE'S A MEETING IN THERE. WHAT KIND OF MEETING?

NONE OF YOUR BUSINESS. IT'S THE PRESS ROOM.

HI, CAROL. HI, CAROL.

HI.

DON'T TALK TO ME LIKE THAT IN FRONT OF PEOPLE. LOOK...

NO. I JUST GOT CALLED "AMATEUR" TWICE IN TEN SECONDS.

THE WHITE HOUSE CHIEF OF STAFF

CAN DO IT TO ME WHEREVER HE WANTS.

YOU DON'T DO IT IN FRONT OF PEOPLE.

IF I DON'T HAVE ACCESS ANYMORE, I DON'T HAVE A JOB.

I WOULD THINK A MAN WITH YOUR CREDENTIALS...

YOU THINK I'M KIDDING AROUND? YOU THINK I AM?!

THE MEMO WAS NEWS. SAYS YOU.

THAT'S RIGHT, SAYS ME-- SAYS ME, SAYS MY EDITOR

SAYS EVERY PAPER WHO PICKED IT UP THE NEXT DAY

SAYS TIME, SAYS NEWSWEEK.

CONGRATULATIONS, YOU'RE A MOVIE STAR.

YOU'RE ALSO ON THE OUTSIDE LOOKING IN FOR A WHILE

SO GET USED TO IT.

"USED TO IT"? I'M PAID FOR IT.

AND WHAT YOU DON'T UNDERSTAND...

DON'T TELL ME WHAT I DON'T UNDERSTAND!

I'M NOT IN MY FRESHMAN YEAR ANYMORE.

I UNDERSTAND MORE THAN YOU THINK.

( knocking )

Carol: C.J.? YEAH.

LEO'S ON HIS WAY IN.

THANKS.

WHAT'S GOING ON IN THE PRESS ROOM?

IT'S A SPECIAL EVENT.

GOOD AFTERNOON.

I'LL MAKE THIS AS QUICK AND DIRECT AS I CAN.

Man: WHY ARE WE IN THE PRESS ROOM?

THIS'LL BE PRETTY FAST, STUART.

FASTER STILL IF I'M NOT INTERRUPTED.

THERE'S A CHANCE A DEBATE IS ABOUT TO BEGIN

OVER THE BEST WAY TO FIGHT THE DRUG PROBLEM IN THIS COUNTRY

THE WHITE HOUSE, BEING AMONG THOSE WHO BELIEVE

MORE MONEY SHOULD BE PUT INTO TREATMENT;

THE PEOPLE YOU WORK FOR BEING AMONG THOSE WHO BELIEVE

WE SHOULD PUT MORE MONEY INTO PRISONS.

IS EVERYONE WITH ME SO FAR?

LEO, WHY THE SEVEN OF US?

DICK, IN JULY OF '96, YOUR BOSS'S SON WAS ARRESTED

FOR CARRYING 25 GRAMS OF COCAINE.

THAT'S A CRIME THAT USUALLY CARRIES, WHAT, TOBY?

EIGHT TO 15 YEARS.

AND WHAT DID THE CONGRESSMAN'S SON GET?

SIX MONTHS HOUSE ARREST.

LYNN, YOUR BOSS'S HUSBAND WAS CAUGHT

STEALING VICODIN AND PERCOCET

FROM THE HOSPITAL AT WHICH HE SERVED

AS CHIEF OF THORACIC SURGERY.

THE VICODIN AND PERCOCET ARE SCHEDULE-TWO DRUGS

IN THE SAME LEGAL CATEGORY AS OPIUM.

WHAT'S THE BLUE BOOK VALUE, TOBY?

EACH STOLEN PILL CARRIES A PENALTY

OF ONE YEAR IN PRISON AND A MONETARY FINE.

AND WHAT DID WE HAVE FOR THE CONGRESSWOMAN'S HUSBAND?

HE WENT TO A PRETRIAL DIVERSION PROGRAM.

THERE'S NO LONGER ANY CRIMINAL RECORD. THAT'S NOT BAD.

LEO, I...

STUART, YOURS IS MY FAVORITE.

YOUR BOSS HAS A DAUGHTER WHO WAS PULLED OVER

WITH 31 GRAMS OF COKE

AND CHARGED WITH INTENT TO DELIVER.

MOREOVER, SHE'D JUST BEEN INDICTED BY A FEDERAL GRAND JURY

IN GREENVILLE, SOUTH CAROLINA, ALONG WITH 18 OTHER PEOPLE

FOR CONSPIRACY TO DISTRIBUTE.

TOBY?

SHE PAID A FINE OF $2,800

AND FORFEITED THE CAR IN WHICH THE DRUGS WERE FOUND.

Leo: THE PRESIDENT WANTS A LIVELY DEBATE.

HE WANTS TO HEAR OPPOSITION

BUT HE'S NOT GOING TO STOMACH HYPOCRISY.

WE START HEARINGS "SOFT ON CRIME, SOFT ON DRUGS"

FROM ANY OF THE PEOPLE YOU WORK FOR

WE'VE GOT SEVEN STORIES READY FOR PAGE ONE.

YOU'RE SABER RATTLING.

HERE COMES THE WHITE HOUSE PRESS CORPS.

LET'S FIND OUT.

WE'RE DONE HERE.

WE PLAY THE FULL NINE INNINGS AT THIS LEVEL, STUART.

TELL YOUR FRIENDS ABOUT IT.

TAKE YOUR SEATS, PLEASE.

C.J. WILL START THE BRIEFING.

CAN I TELL YOU SOMETHING?

WATCHING YOU GUYS DO THAT--

IT WAS A LITTLE FUN.

IT WAS NOT FUN.

YOU SHOULD HAVE HAD SOME PIE.

I HAVE TO GET BACK TO WORK

AND YOU BEING A CONGRESSWOMAN

I'M SURE YOU NEED TO BE BACK OUT THERE

YOU KNOW, SCREWING THE PEOPLE.

I SHOULD TELL YOU SOMETHING.

WHAT?

IN THE INTEREST OF FULL DISCLOSURE.

WHAT?

THE OTHER NIGHT, I WAS OUT ON A DATE.

WE HAD A COUPLE GLASSES OF WINE

HE PULLED THE CAR UP

BUMPED THE GUY AHEAD OF US.

A COP WAS THERE AND WAS GOING TO GIVE HIM

A BLOOD-ALCOHOL TEST, BUT THEN HE RECOGNIZED ME.

THAT'S FINE.

I'MJUST SAYING.

YOU DIDN'T SAY, "OFFICER, I'M A MEMBER OF CONGRESS.

ISN'T THERE ANYTHING WE CAN DO ABOUT THIS?"

NO.

WHO WERE YOU OUT WITH?

A GUY NAMED VICTOR STIPE.

EXECUTIVE ADVISOR FOR THE ORIOLES?

YEAH.

YOU WENT OUT ON A DATE

WITH THE EXECUTIVE ADVISOR FOR THE BALTIMORE ORIOLES?

TOBY, ARE YOU UPSET THAT I WENT OUT ON A DATE?

OR ARE YOU UPSET THAT I WENT OUT ON A DATE

WITH SOMEONE WHO PLAYS IN THE SAME DIVISION AS THE YANKEES?

HONEST TO GOD, I'M NOT SURE.

MANDATORY MINIMUMS, TOBY.

WHAT ARE YOU DOING GETTING INTO CARS

WITH GUYS THAT HAVE BEEN DRINKING?

THAT'S WHAT TAXICABS ARE FOR.

ALSO, I CAN STILL DO THAT.

YOU'D COME PICK ME UP WITH A DATE?

IF HE WASN'T AN ORIOLE, ABSOLUTELY--

OR A RED SOCK.

IN FACT, JUST DATE THE NATIONAL LEAGUE, WOULD YOU?

TOBY, I'M NOT KIDDING.

MANDATORY MINIMUMS.

GO AWAY.

IT'S GOOD SEEING YOU.

ANDY?

YEAH?

LET ME HAVE THE PIE.

( sighing ) OH...

( knocking )

MR. PRESIDENT? YEAH?

OH, YOU'RE IN BED?

YEAH.

WHEN I CALLED, YOU WERE AWAKE.

WELL, YEAH, THAT'S 'CAUSE I ANSWERED THE PHONE.

I WAS JUST COMING BY TO TALK. IT CAN WAIT.

WHAT'S ON YOUR MIND?

YOU SURE?

YEAH. I GOT TO BE UP

IN FOUR HOURS ANYWAY.

( knocks )

HEY. HEY.

WHAT ARE YOU DOING?

F.E.C.

WHERE'S THE PRESIDENT?

HE WENT TO THE RESIDENCE ABOUT AN HOUR AGO.

OKAY.

SO, I COULDN'T HELP NOTICING COMING OVER HERE

THAT THE LIGHT IN JOEY LUCAS'S OFFICE IS ON.

SHE STILL HERE? YEAH.

WHY YOU TELLING ME?

SHE'S A FINE-LOOKING...

CHARLIE. OKAY.

HAVE A GOOD NIGHT.

YOU GIVE HER A LITTLE SOMETHING.

"HERE, THIS IS FOR YOU 'CAUSE IT'S YOUR FIRST DAY.

YOU DON'T KNOW ANYBODY."

BAM-- YOU GIVE IT TO HER

YOU SAY SOMETHING NICE.

SEE YOU TOMORROW.

TAKE IT EASY.

HEY, CHARLIE.

HEY.

TELL HIM WHAT YOU TOLD ME.

SEE, I STILL DON'T UNDERSTAND...

TELL HIM WHAT YOU TOLD ME.

STEVE ONORATO CAME TO SEE ME THIS AFTERNOON.

WE HAD LUNCH.

ONORATO CAME TO YOU?

YEAH.

TELL HIM WHAT HE SAID.

HE SAID THAT IF WE DROPPED F.E.C., HE COULD

WARM THINGS UP FOR DRUGS.

( both snickering )

I DON'T UNDERSTAND.

HE SAID THAT?

HE EVEN POINTED OUT TO SAM

THAT SAM WAS WORKING ON DRUGS FOR THE WHITE HOUSE.

YOU'VE MADE THE BIG TIME, SAM.

WHAT'S GOING ON?

HE KNOWS ABOUT LAURIE.

WHAT DO YOU MEAN?

HE KNOWS YOU'RE FRIENDS WITH A CALL GIRL.

WHAT DOES THAT HAVE TO DO WITH ANYTHING?

HE WANTS TO MOVE YOU OUT TO THE FRONT OF THE FIELD

SO HE CAN DROP LAURIE ON YOU.

ARE YOU SERIOUS?

YEAH.

ARE YOU SERIOUS?!

IT'S OKAY, SAM.

YOU HAVEN'T DONE ANYTHING WRONG.

OH, I KNOW I HAVEN'T DONE ANYTHING WRONG.

ARE YOU SERIOUS?

WE'RE SERIOUS. DON'T WORRY ABOUT IT.

HE...

ARE YOU SAYING HE...?

HE TRIED TO PRACTICE ON MY...?

CREDULOUS SIMPLICITY?

YEAH.

YEAH.

I WANT TO KNOW WHAT I CAN DO RIGHT NOW.

SAM...

NO! RIGHT NOW AT 11:35.

I WANT TO KNOW WHAT I CAN DO.

TAKE IT EASY.

I WON'T TAKE IT EASY!

GIVE ME THE PHONE.

I'M GOING TO CALL A SENATOR

AND I'M GOING TO TELL HIM

HE CAN SHOVE HIS LEGISLATIVE AGENDA UP HIS ASS!

I'VE ALREADY DONE THAT.

I'LL DO IT AGAIN.

YOU KNOW WHAT THIS IS LIKE?

THIS IS LIKE THE GODFATHER WHEN PACINO TELLS JAMES CAAN

THAT HE'S GOING TO KILL THE COP.

IT'S A LOT LIKE THAT SCENE

ONLY NOT REALLY.

DID LEO GO HOME?

HE'S STILL AROUND HERE SOMEWHERE.

HE'S IN THE RESIDENCE.

IT IS LIKE THAT SCENE.

I'M JAMES CAAN

YOU'RE AL PACINO.

LET'S GO.

TOBY, YOU'RE THE GUY WHO SHOWS PACINO HOW

TO MAKE TOMATO SAUCE.

LET'S GO.

I'M RIGHT BEHIND.

I'M GOING TO PICK UP THE LATE WIRES.

HELLO.

HI.

HEY, KENNY.

HEY, JOSH.

SAW A LIGHT WAS ON. YOU GUYS ARE HERE LATE.

I WANTED TO GIVE YOU A FIRST-LOOK ANALYSIS

IN THE MORNING.

THERE'S REALLY SOME DECENT MODELS

IN MARIN COUNTY AND THE BAY AREA

BUT SAN JOSE IS A MESS AND SO IS ORANGE COUNTY

LONG BEACH, ANAHEIM, AND SAN DIEGO.

I BROUGHT YOU A COFFEE MUG.

WHY?

JUST AS A THING-- 'CAUSE YOU DON'T KNOW ANYBODY.

IT'S GOT A PICTURE OF THE WHITE HOUSE.

IT SAYS, "THE WHITE HOUSE."

SEAL OF THE PRESIDENT.

IT'S A WHITE HOUSE COFFEE MUG.

THANK YOU.

KENNY, CAN YOU GIVE US A SECOND?

OH, SURE.

I'M GOING TO STEP OUTSIDE.

I WORE THIS SUIT SPECIAL TODAY.

THIS ISN'T MY REGULAR TUESDAY SUIT.

YOU HAVE A REGULAR TUESDAY SUIT?

NO.

FOR ME?

YES.

SO...

OKAY, I GOT TO GO.

SO...

I DON'T WANT

TO BELABOR THE POINT, THOUGH.

I DO THINK THAT THIS IS UNDERSTANDABLE.

I FEEL A LITTLE SELF-CONSCIOUS

COMING DOWN THE MOUNTAIN ON DRUGS

TWO MONTHS AFTER I ANNOUNCED I WAS A RECOVERING DRUG ADDICT.

WHAT DO YOU THINK?

ABOUT WHAT?

WHAT I JUST SAID.

WELL, I WASN'T LISTENING TO A LOT OF IT.

SIR...

LEO...

IF THERE'S ANYONE QUALIFIED

TO TALK ABOUT THE BENEFITS OF TREATMENT

VERSUS CRIMINAL ACTION, IT'S YOU.

IS THERE ANYONE WHOSE LIFE WOULD BE BETTER RIGHT NOW

IF YOU'D GONE TO JAIL

INSTEAD OF REHAB?

NO.

THANK YOU.

IS THERE ANYTHING ELSE?

APPARENTLY THERE IS.

MR. PRESIDENT. YEAH?

I'M SORRY. I HEARD LEO WAS HERE.

I ASSUMED YOU WERE AWAKE.

I AM.

I HADN'T SEEN YOU ALL DAY.

I JUST WANTED TO APOLOGIZE FOR THE GAFFE

AT THE BRIEFING LAST NIGHT.

YOU FIXED IT THIS AFTERNOON, RIGHT?

YEAH.

THEN LET'S MOVE ON.

I DO APOLOGIZE, SIR.

NO NEED TO APOLOGIZE, BUT I ACCEPT YOUR APOLOGY

AND NOW I'M READY, IF NOT EAGER TO MOVE ON.

MR. PRESIDENT?

HOW YOU DOING?

YOU WERE SLEEPING?

NOT FOR A LITTLE WHILE NOW.

THIS IS GREAT, MR. PRESIDENT, BECAUSE USUALLY YOU HAVE

A HARD TIME GETTING TO SLEEP BEFORE 1:00 OR 2:00.

NOT TONIGHT.

THAT'S GOT TO FEEL GOOD, SIR.

GUYS, LET ME TELL YOU

WHAT I WOULD LIKE TO HAVE HAPPEN RIGHT NOW.

GOOD EVENING, MR. PRESIDENT.

JOSH WALKING IN THE DOOR WASN'T EVEN CLOSE.

HOW YOU DOING TONIGHT?

I'M FINE, THANKS, JOSH. HOW YOU DOING?

GOOD. I GAVE JOEY LUCAS A COFFEE MUG.

SHE DOESN'T KNOW ANYBODY HERE

AND SHE'S ALREADY WORKING HARD

SHE'S VERY COMMITTED.

I THINK I DID THE RIGHT THING.

SEE, THE PART I DON'T UNDERSTAND IS I GOT, LIKE, 24 ARMED GUARDS

RIGHT OUTSIDE MY BEDROOM DOOR.

MR. PRESIDENT, AFTER A DAY OF MEETINGS

ARE YOU ANY CLOSER TO A DECISION ON DRUGS?

I'M A DAY CLOSER.

THERE'LL BE MORE MEETINGS TOMORROW.

IN THE MEANTIME, EVERYBODY CALM DOWN.

LEO'S GOT YOUR ENGINES FIRED LIKE YOU'RE RUNNING DAYTONA.

THAT'S FINE.

KEEP THEM THERE.

GUESS WHAT?

MISTAKES ARE GOING TO BE MADE.

MINIMIZE THEM. FIX THEM, MOVE ON.

KIEFER'S NUMBERS GOT YOU SCARED.

LISTEN TO ME.

I HAVE NEVER LOST AN ELECTION IN MY LIFE.

WE DO THIS RIGHT, PEOPLE ARE GOING TO RESPOND.

YOU ALL HAD A GOOD DAY.

Josh: WE SHOULD GO.

LEAVE YOU NOW.

YOU GUYS SHOULD FEEL FREE

TO DO THIS WHEN MY WIFE IS HERE.

( all chuckle )

Sam: SIR, SOMETHING HAS COME UP

AND FRANKLY, IT'S GOT ME AS HOT AS A PISTOL.

APPARENTLY... SAM?

WE CAN TALK ABOUT THIS TOMORROW.

EVERYBODY...

MANDY WAS DOING HER JOB.

IT'S TIME TO LET HER OUT OF THE DOGHOUSE.

THAT'S ME. SHE WAS DOING HER JOB.

C.J.?

YES, SIR.

SO WAS DANNY.

YES, SIR.

GOOD NIGHT.

GOOD NIGHT, MR. PRESIDENT.

MR. PRESIDENT?

WE WERE ALMOST DONE.

I... MET WITH CONGRESSWOMAN WYATT TODAY.

WHEN YOU WERE MARRIED TO HER

DID YOU CALL HER CONGRESSWOMAN WYATT?

NO, SIR.

SOMETIMES I CALL MY WIFE "DR. BARTLETT."

NO, I CALL HER "ANDY" OR "ANDREA."

OKAY.

MANDATORY MINIMUMS.

YOU'RE WHUPPED, MY FRIEND.

SIR?

NO, SHE'S BEEN TALKING TO YOU FOR A YEAR

ABOUT MANDATORY MINIMUMS.

YOU'VE BEEN SAYING NO

BUT IT LOOKS LIKE WE KNOW WHO WEARS THE PANTS

IN THE ZIEGLER FAMILY.

YOU CALL YOUR WIFE "DR. BARTLET."

JUST FOR THE TURN-ON.

( snickering )

UH, THE THING IS SHE'S RIGHT.

ANDY?

MANDATORY MINIMUMS ARE CONSIDERABLY HIGHER

FOR CRACK THAN FOR POWDERED COCAINE.

YES.

THE VAST MAJORITY OF CRACK USERS ARE BLACK.

THE VAST MAJORITY OF DRUG USERS ARE WHITE.

THE MANDATORY MINIMUMS ARE RACIST.

YES, THEY ARE.

SHOULD BE PART OF THE DISCUSSION.

AND IT WILL BE.

GOOD.

GOOD NIGHT.

GOOD NIGHT. GOOD NIGHT.

I'M SLEEPING BETTER.

AND WHEN I SLEEP I DREAM ABOUT A GREAT DISCUSSION

WITH EXPERTS AND IDEAS AND DICTION AND ENERGY AND HONESTY

AND WHEN I WAKE UP I THINK...

"I CAN SELL THAT."

GOOD NIGHT, MR. PRESIDENT.

GOOD NIGHT.

( sighs )