All language subtitles for The.West.Wing.S04E04.WEBRip.x264-FGT

Previously
on the The West Wing:

You understand you're
looking at possible injury

to separation of powers?

They're balloon animals.

I have nephews who
like balloon animals

so I got someone
to teach me.

Are they abstract?
I'm a beginner.

He's killed innocent people.

He'll kill more,
so we have to end him.

Says who?
Says me,
Mr. President.

You want to go ask
some more people

they'll say so, too.

WOMAN:
This is
a little humiliating.

It wasn't a discussion
to have

in front of the group.

You're right about that,
and I apologize for that.

Do you accept?

I think she was apologizing
to you, Senator.

I was.
I'd accept.

I believe, in this case
on this particular point

you're the servant
of two masters.

And as sexy
as that possibility sounds

it's just not true, Susan.

The relationship
with Josh Lyman,
with C.J. Cregg

with the First Lady,
with the President.

Can we return
to the issue at hand?

I'm going out of my mind
with you two.

SUSAN:
You should call

for federal funding
of needle exchange

in the five cities with
the highest incidence of AIDS.

Ritchie is giving you
a perfect opening.

When?
Right now.

At the AMA.

We've got an advance copy
of the text.

That's what
we were arguing about

when you came in the meeting.

What does he say?

"We ought to begin
and end with abstinence.

"We ought to begin and end
with personal responsibility.

"I'm appalled
by inner city programs

"that hand out clean needles
to junkies and dope-doers

"in the name of AIDS prevention

and I will fight
for a national law to end them."

Amy?

It's baiting the hook.

That's why they sent
an advance copy.

Yeah.

But didn't I get in it
to talk about things like this?

Why not take
the bait?

The bait's not for you.

It's for the President.

Ritchie wants you to respond
so the President has to.

I thought the aim
was to talk about issues

that aren't being discussed.

Not run pass blocking
for the President.

I feel like Susan
has a point.

It's an opportunity

to get into some debate
about it.

If it was just me,
nobody would be
listening.

I don't know why you think
the Committee to Reelect

needs us to protect them.

And if Ritchie's strategy
is what you say it is

won't Josh Lyman figure that out
in five minutes?

It'll take his assistant Donna
five minutes.

It'll take Josh half that time.

Maybe a little longer
Really?

'cause the Mets lost last night,
and he'll need to focus.

JOSH:
Just throw strikes!

I don't understand
why that can't happen.

You have a three-run lead.

Just throw strikes.

I mean, my God!

Honestly.
Yes.

You want to see
the wires?

I'll tell you something else.

In a situation
with a runner on first

who's a threat to score
and a batter at the plate

who's going to be
intentionally passed

why not just pitch out
four times?

It makes me nutsy.

What are the wires?

The latest
on the standoff in Iowa

the final recommendation
from the Debate Commission

and Ritchie to the AMA,
which just ended
a few minutes ago.

Give me the AMA.

And you have
senior staff.

You know, there comes a day
in every man's life

and it's a hard day,
but there comes a day

when he realizes
he's never going

to play professional baseball.

You're just having
that day today?

Yes, I am.

You understand, you're going
to be walking the guy anyway.

You're going to be throwing

four balls.

Why not just...?
Pitch out.

Yeah, why not just, you know,
to...

catch the runner.

What is it?

I know how Ritchie's going
to win this election.

You're right--

10:00 at the Shrine
of the Immaculate Conception

which is also what they
called my dorm room in college.

( laughter )
No, but seriously. Katie.

When do you anticipate

the debate issue
will be settled?

And then I have a follow-up.

The President believes
the debates are good

and the more the better.

The President's asked
for five debates.

Governor Ritchie's asked
for two.

The President said,
"How about four?"

Governor Ritchie said,
"How about two?"

We're waiting for the Commission
to make its recommendation.

And the follow-up is

what would be considered
a debate win for the President?

At this point, participating
in one would be a victory.

I want to ask the same question.

Which was?

What would be
a victory in the debates?

270 electoral votes.

Seriously.
Seriously.

We'll be heading to Rock Creek
Park at 2:30. Thank you.

I know how Ritchie's going
to win this election.

So do I.
What's your way?

Overcoming perversely
low expectations.

What's your way?

Getting the President
to run

the Stackhouse campaign.

What happened?
I'm taking you
to the meeting.

PRESIDENT:
Treasury scored it?

LEO:
Yes.

OMB says it's revenue neutral?

Yes.

NEC, DPC, the advisors?

Yes, sir.

Joint tax on the Hill?

Yes.

All right.
All right.

Let's line
up validators.

Good.

Sir?
Yeah?

Toby, Josh.
Merry Christmas.

He says let's line up
the validators.

And update our resumes.

Sam, that'll be you.

Yeah.
TOBY:
I can do it.

Stay on debate prep.

What? You're doing the face.

Needle exchange in
a speech to the AMA:

"We ought to begin
and end with abstinence.

We ought to begin
and end with personal
responsibility."

TOBY:
I'd like someone
to ask him

if he's aware that needle
exchange costs $9,000

for every infection stopped.

Treating someone with
HIV costs $200,000.

I'd like someone
to ask him that.

I'd like someone
to ask him

where the responsibility was
in the paraphernalia laws

that made it a crime for someone
to buy or carry a syringe

which is why addicts share

infected needles
in the first place.

I'd like someone
to ask him that, too.

All done?
For the moment.

It's really only an issue
if Stackhouse responds

but if he does...

Will he?

I don't know.

Will he?

I don't know,
but if-if he does

we can't come out for it.

Bruno thinks we'll be putting
three states back into play.

Ohio, Michigan...
And Maine.

They've always been iffy
about me in Maine.

I don't know why.

It's a mystery, sir.

You can't come out against,
either. You'll alienate...

Heroin addicts?
Liberals.

Whatever. Let's worry about
if Stackhouse does something.

Okay, but at that point,
I'll be very worried.

Anything else?

Thank you,
Mr. President.

Thank you, Mr. President.

Toby...

I'd like someone to ask him
about the responsibility

in cutting the drug treatment

that would eliminate
needle-related HIV.

Half of all people
who get infected by HIV

are getting infected
by the needle.

I'd like someone to ask him
how he thinks

the personal responsibility
plan's going so far.

I'll get on that,
but I want to talk to
you about the debates.

When you mention that we want
five debates, say what they are.

One on the economy,
one on foreign policy

with another on
global threats and
national security

one on the environment

and one on strengthening
family life

which would include
health care, education
and retirement.

I also think there should be one
on parts of speech

and sentence structure
and one on fractions.

Is there any chance
I'm going to get an opportunity

to speak in this conversation

or are you just writing
out loud?

I didn't even know
you were in the room.

Toby, I'm
absolutely terrified

we're going to lose
the expectations game.

I can't believe
how many times I get asked

what would be a win
in the debates.

At this point
I feel like if, and only if

Ritchie accidentally
lights his podium on fire

does the President
have a fighting chance.

I disagree.
Disagree all you want,
but I'm right.

These two men are going
to be side by side

on the stage,
answering questions.

That's the ball game.

If the whole thing is,
he can't tie his shoelaces

and it turns out he can,
then that is the ball game.

And I believe he'll have to do
more than tie his shoelaces.

Not much more.

Hey, what are you
doing tomorrow?

I'm going bike riding,
as a matter of fact

and then I'm meeting
some friends for lunch

and then I'm having
my nails done.

Guy, that sounds great.

If only you were actually
doing all those things.

Yeah, yeah. What?
Teddy Tomba.

What about him?

Well, he has millions
of followers worldwide

has a $20-billion empire
of self-help seminars...

I know who
Teddy Tomba is.

...workbooks, board games...

Seminars?

Capital Sheraton,
tomorrow morning at 10:00 A.M.

Your registration's been
prepaid.

Why?
We're efficient.

Why am I going?

He's consulted
for Ritchie

in the last few weeks,
and I would like

for that to be
embarrassing for Ritchie.

Really?
Yes.

That lacks a certain
nobility of purpose

doesn't it?

I don't believe it does.

Write down
any key slogans

or philosophies
or instructions.

They'll probably be
on a T-shirt, won't they?

Probably. You know
what I'm looking for.

Should I go
in disguise?

As what?

Somebody who'd go
to one of these things.

Meet me here
at the office when you're done.

And in addition to being
a good friend to Israel

Leo McGarry, of course,
is the most Jewish man
most of us have ever met.

For that, he gets
this yarmulke

which has been crumpled up
in my coat pocket

since a wedding in 1962.

For everything else,
the Medal of David.

Thank you very much,
Mr. Foreign Minister.

A thousand dead relatives
in Scotland just started crying.

Thanks very much.

We're a little late
for lunch.

What the hell is
going on, Leo?

I'm reading Shareef is alive
in Libya.

That's you people,
right?

We're thinking about
starting our own tabloid.

What's happening
at that house in Idaho?

Iowa.

Which one's the potatoes?
Idaho.

We've had the house
surrounded for 11 days.

We're trying
to negotiate
a surrender.

How long can
their supplies last?

These people live
to be well supplied, Ben.

It's their first love.

You got kids in there.

Yeah. I got to talk
to you about something.

Good afternoon,
Mr. McGarry.

Good afternoon.

That person's very young
to be working here.

That was probably
an intern.

( whispering ):
Qumar is ready to announce
it was Israel.

We've known
this was coming.

Well, it's come.

And I need to put it off
at least another week.

Israel has to
immediately deny
the accusation.

I don't want there to be
an accusation.

I want it to wait
another week.

And what are you asking
Israel to give up

in order to get them
to delay accusing us

of something
we didn't do.

Ben...

I'm just saying,
tell me.

You're planning to attack
two Qumari training bases...

Yes, sir.

Don't.

That's out of the question.

If you hold off

Fitzwallace can get
the Qumari Defense Minister

to have the Sultan
hold off a week.

Leo, look at
what's happening.

They're getting you
to pull us back

by continuing this
preposterous lie.

We're not the ones
playing skeet shoot
with their cabinet.

No, no, Ben.

I think we're
in this one together.

Yes, I apologize for the remark.

When are you flying back?

Right after lunch.

You can fly
on the Sabbath?

If I have to.

You'll take it
to the Prime Minister.

Leo, you know what
you're doing?

You're advising
the President well?

A number of people
are advising the President.

I'm only asking
because right now

we're losing.

Will you take it to him?

Yes.

his son just got
his pilot's license.

and he lives in Phoenix

and his big fear
isn't crashing.

It's getting lost
in the desert.

So he bought
five gallons of water

a super-powered flashlight

and... I don't know, a thing
that makes pancakes.

And now he's on

every survivalist's
mailing list.

That's right.

Anyway, yes,
they're well supplied

but they're not
endlessly supplied.

We can wait them out.

Good.

A guy told me
I should take
flying lessons

'cause it would relax me.

I don't think it would.

Do you?

No, Josh, I think you of all
people shouldn't fly things.

JOSH:
Senator...

STACKHOUSE:
You brought the big guns.

Not having any guns
of my own.

Obviously, you know
John Baxley--

Congressman Baxley...

Senators Jackson
and White

Secretaries Weaver

and Keaton.

And you all probably
know Susan Thomas

and Amelia Gardner.

JACKSON:
Howard, it's becoming
hard for BFA staff

to plan strategy
without knowing exactly

what hour you are going
to drop out

and endorse the President.

What hour would
be best for
you, Michael?

I'm inconveniencing

one of my opponents?

Seriously.

Yes?

I was very happy

you did not respond
on needle exchange.

I haven't responded
on needle exchange.

I'm saying

I'm happy about that.

No, I mean,
it's not that I didn't--

it's that I haven't.

Are you going to?

I don't know.

Well, what's your thinking?
Regarding what, Jason?

This doesn't need
to be tedious.

WEAVER:
It was our understanding

that the senator was going
to drop out and campaign

for the President
sometime

before the first debate.

SUSAN:
Have we had
the first debate?

No, we haven't.

And since the Sullivan
ruling

things have gotten
a bit murkier.

You didn't get into this
to hurt the President, Howard.

I got in it to raise issues.

And I'm all for that.

As long as I don't
in any way speak.

Excuse me.

Now that I have you
all sitting down

I'll be right
outside the door.

Do you need me?

Yeah. Can you make
a run to the staff
secretary's office

Ellen's not there,
but someone should be.

Make sure you take
what needs to be
signed today.

They're going to try
to give you a whole stack

and right there is where
you become a man, Emily.

Should I use sex
as a tactic?

If you need to.

Hell, even if
you just want to.

There's some
executive orders

I need to make sure
are in there.

Can you copy
these down?

Yeah.

You want to know
what I'm doing?

How long is this
going to take?

I don't know.

I'm leaving.

Okay, see ya.

Emily, can you get me
Mrs. Toscano

at Social Services.

I'll be back in
a few minutes.

It makes you feel
like something, huh?

That you've got
power over me.

In about two minutes

the Deputy Communications
Director

is going to come in here

and tell me that the speech
he's writing

for Red Mass
isn't going well

and could I read it for him.

And you think you're what makes

me feel
like something?

What's Red Mass?

I didn't hear you.

I said what's Red Mass?

The Supreme Court
convenes on the
first Monday

in October.

On the Sunday before

the first Monday,
there's a Mass held

for the members
of the Court

that's attended by
the Cabinet

Congress
and the President.

What about church and state?

I swear to God,
I can't hear you when you speak.

Can you help me?

I said it's church
and state.

What about it?

You're not supposed to do it.

Who told you that?

I'm talking about the law.

What law?

All right, you like
to slap me

'cause that's
your power thing

so I'll sit here
and not say nothing.

The law-- separation
of church and state.

Who told you that?

You know exactly what
I'm talking about.

The government and the church

are not supposed to do...

they're not supposed to be
the same thing.

And you think there's a law?
There is.

What kind of law?
What the hell.

City, state, federal?

I don't know
about those things

but I know
there's a law.

Prove it.

Charlie.

I'm eating it
on Red Mass.

I don't want to show
it to Toby yet.

Would you mind
reading it for me

and then hitting me
in the head

with a fairway wood?

Yep.

Janet.

Or Jeanette, as I
sometimes like
to call you.

Sometimes I like
to call you cupcake.

It that okay?

Totally.

Deductibility
for tuition.

You've had a
leadership briefing?

Yes, and I'm
so happy

I could dance in
a musical, I swear.

That'd be a tough
ticket to get.

It's wonderful, and I
can only assume that
it was your idea.

As a matter of fact,
it was Josh and Toby

but I can see where
you'd make the mistake.

It does have the flavor of me,
the insouciance.

Yeah.

So guess what
I've been asked to do?

Validators?
Line up validators.

And you're asking me?

You're the third ranking
non-male member

of the minority
on Ways and Means.

Well, when you
say it like that.

Listen, the economists
are going to say
it's good policy.

College presidents
are going to talk about

shrinking financial
aid budgets.

Where do you want me?

Sunday mornings.

I'll make you a book.

Congratulations, Jeanette.

I'll do my best.

Your best
is very good.

Oh, by the way,
I was just called.

Horton Wilde is
in the hospital.

He's had
a heart attack.

Horton Wilde isn't the same
as Thorton Wilder, is it?

I'm talking about
California.

'Cause if Thorton Wilder
had a heart attack

that would be
remarkable news.

You don't know who
Horton Wilde is.

He wrote Skin of Our Teeth.

He's the Democrat
running in the 47th.

How is it possible that
you don't know who he is?

Has a Democrat won
the California 47th

in the last hundred years?

No.
That's how.

Well, maybe if when
the Democrats

had the White House there was
a little more attention paid...

To Orange County?
What kind?

Knowing the candidate's
name, say.

This was his fourth
one, by the way.

Fourth what?

Heart attack.

The Democrats have
nominated someone

who's had three heart attacks.

Yes.

And you think I don't care
enough about...?

What kind of signal does
this send to...?

I have to talk...

No, this isn't going

to be a part of my life.

Wow. you just
did a whole thing
all by yourself.

Yeah, I do that.

Thanks again
for the opportunity.

I'll pass it on to Leo.

Why do we think
the boy is sick?

Mike?

Our thermal scanner
shows no movement

in the last
eight hours
of daylight.

With congestive
heart failure

you have to take
the medication
or you'll die.

Yes. And going by
the last time the
prescription was filled

he's been out
for six days.

Mr. President

we feel the only
way to save this boy

is to abandon
our plan

and take the house now.

We think we'll
be successful.

How do you do it?

We put a hole in the wall
with a C-4 explosive.

12 men storm the house,
wearing specially made
goggles and earplugs.

Why?

'Cause they're going
to throw flashbangs.

A flashbang's about
the size of a grenade

but instead of
spraying shrapnel

it makes a deafening sound
and releases a flash

seven times brighter
than the sun.

You hear that?

I've seen them.

Where's the table?

We're... all
agreed, sir.

All right, we should do it.

Let's get the kid.

Good luck, everybody.

Good luck, Mr. Casper.

Thank you,
Mr. President.

Thank you, sir.

What's going on?

Nothing. I was...

Nothing. I was thinking about
something Yosef said yesterday.

Hello.

Hello.

Is Susan Thomas...

Troubled?

A pain in the ass?

What do you think of him?

Stackhouse?
Yeah.

I've always liked
Stackhouse.

I'd vote for him, too

but he's not on the ballot
in Connecticut

or 22 other states.

Perhaps I should
vote in New York

or California where
he's polling

at four percent.

Of likely voters.

I'm sorry?

Those polls sample
likely voters.

Yeah.

When a third candidate
gets elected

it's going to be
by unlikely voters.

And why is that good?

Why are we eager...?

Why are we encouraging
a group of people

who are so
howl-at-the-moon,
lazy-assed stupid

that they can't
bring themselves
to raise their hands.

Why is it important

that they be brought
into the process?

You should stop
being mad at me.

I'm not.
You are.

You know, I lost my job

because of a strategy
you organized.

You lost your job

in a fashion that insured
you 93 better offers.

That's sweet of you
to look out for me

but I liked the job I had.

And when I lost it,
I didn't pitch anything.

I didn't stage a nutty.

I fought you, I lost,
I had a drink, I took a shower.

'Cause that's how it is
in the NBA.

You know what I do
when I win?

Two drinks.

I didn't start
consulting

with Stackhouse
to piss you off.

There are things here
I believe in.

I didn't
come out here

to piss you off either.

I wanted to tell you that

if the senator responds
on needle exchange

the President shouldn't
take the bait.

No kidding.

All right, I'm
going back in.

He's taking
the President's votes.

It's as simple...

He's taking
the President's votes.

Listen, I'm
not indifferent

to the situation

but that right there,
that's the crazy part
of your argument.

Why?

They're not his votes.

Hey.

Huh? Hello.

How was it?

I'm sorry?

How was it?

It was...

I don't know.

It was...

I don't...

I don't think, maybe I'm not
ready to talk about it yet.

What was...?
It was a
transforming ex...

No, that's the wrong word.

We're not "transformed,"
we locate the light switch.

I own myself, Josh.

You don't mind
if I say that

out loud at frequent intervals
with no provocation

for a little
while do you?
Why?

Because I live my life out loud.

You're reading the book?

The owner's manual.

Are you serious?

No, you idiot, I need a shower.

All right.

I've got, like,
radioactive
stuff all over me.

Man, and you
call me a snob.

Oh, please. It was
like a meeting

of the There But for the
Grace of God Society.

Anybody ask you out?
Shut up.

So, report to me--
What did he say?

Why is this
important?

What did he say?

This is cheap.
I'll say.

I'm talking about this.

So the guy's
consulted for Ritchie.

He's a buffoon,
but he's harmless.

Why should it be
part of the campaign?

Because it's not harmless
in an American president.

Nothing he said
was wrong or objectionable.

As opposed to the man
sitting next to me

whose name was Fern.

Open this book
to any page.

Okay. Well.

This is an order form

to buy Owning Your
Self, follow-up

to the worldwide
bestseller...

Leasing Your Self.

"It's good to be
trapped in a corner.

That's when you act."

That happens to be true.

It is. In my case, it's
the only time that I do.

So?
It's Immanuel Kant.

"Duty. Sublime
and mighty name

"that embraces
nothing charming

or insinuating but
requires submission."

Every year a million
freshman philosophy students

read that sentence.

And change their major?

You've just got a mouthful
of wiseass today, don't you?

I located the light switch.

Could you locate it again?

So he cribbed Kant.

Isn't that what
you're supposed to do?

It comes from a 193-page book

called a Critique
of Practical Reason

It's about metaphysics
and epistemology.

Tomba's impressively boiled it
down to two-thirds of one page.

Give me another one.

"Look outside the cave."

Right. That's from
an old paperback

called The Republic,
by Plato.

Lucky Tomba's been able to
fit it on a fortune cookie

so it suits the
attention span

of the Republican nominee.

Here he quotes Robert Frost.

"Good fences make
good neighbors."

Did he talk about that?

Yeah.

What'd he say?

Basically,
that if

you stay
within your personal space

you'll end up
getting along fine

with everyone.

You had to study
modern poetry.

Yes.

Is that what
Frost meant?

No. He meant

that boundaries are what
alienate us from each other.

Why did he say,
"Good fences

make good neighbors"?

He was being ironic,
but I still don't see...

What does it
remind you of?

"I believe in hope, not fear."

"I'm a leader,
not a politician."

"It's time for an
American leader."

"America's earned a change."

"'I' before 'E'
except after 'C.'"

It's the fortune
cookie candidacy.

These are important thinkers

and understanding them
can be very useful

and it's not ever going to
happen at a four-hour seminar.

When the President's got an
embassy surrounded in Haiti

or a keyhole photograph
of a heavy-water reactor

or any of the 50
life-and-death matters

that walk across
his desk everyday

I don't know if
he's thinking

about Immanuel Kant
or not. I doubt it

but if he does, I am
comforted at least

in my certainty that
he is doing his best

to reach for all of it and
not just the McNuggets.

Is it possible
we would be willing

to require any less of the
person sitting in that chair?

The low road?

I don't think it is.

All right.

I'll go through
the book this weekend

highlight some things,
and I'll trace it back.

Yeah, make sure you...

I said I'd
do it, Buckminster.

A guy named Fern?

Don't talk to me about Fern.

You sure it
wasn't Vern?

No, I thought it was Vern,
but it's Fern.

Let me know
when the report gets in.

Hey, Sam.

What's wrong with
the other door?

I don't know.

You close it,
and it's locking by itself.

What's up?

Do you know who
Horton Wilde is?

That name sounds familiar.

He's running in Orange County.

Yeah. He's in
the hospital.

He's had a heart attack.

I'm sorry
to hear that.

We'll send something.

It's his fourth.

In the Idaho Second,
we're running a guy

who lost a race
for city council.

In the Texas 22nd

our candidate's an
electrical engineer

who paid his filing fee

by dumping the cash
out of a cigar box.

The Arizona Sixth features a
Democrat, who nine weeks ago

registered as... a Democrat.

You just named

three districts that are
impossible for Democrats.

Finding qualified
sacrificial lambs ain't easy.

And the D-Triple-C

tries to raise
money by saying

"We're taking
back the House"?

It doesn't appear as if
we're giving it all we got.

Line one.

This is it.

We're putting our resources
where they'll do the most good.

This is Leo McGarry.

Mm-hmm.

Mm-hmm.

Yeah, can someone
fax that over?

Thank you.

We didn't get
the five.

No.

Three?

Two.

Two?

Yeah.

Margaret!

Would you let Josh

Toby and CJ know that
the report came out?

It's two debates

and I'm here.

Yeah.

They give you a reason?

They're faxing it over.

Don't we want one debate alone
on new global threats?

I mean, doesn't everybody
want one debate...?

I don't know.

Do you read much
international news?

Herald Tribune.

Whatever CJ puts
in front of me.

Agence-France.

Then you've read

that Qumar's
reopened the investigation

into Abdul Shareef's plane
going down.

Yeah. Watch.

They're going to say Israel
had something to do with it.

Do you think they did?

What do I know?

Shareef was a bad guy.

Feels like he had money
in the Bahji cell.

He did.

He was also

behind the plot to blow up
the Golden Gate Bridge.

Bridges and tunnels.

That's my nightmare.

What's yours?

Well, now
it's bridges and tunnels, Sam.

Then my work here is done.

It's that I don't know
what winning looks like.

What does it look like?

Is it... I mean, is it honestly

the U.S. flag flying over Mecca?

Is that what's going
to straighten this out?

And if that's the case,
why are we postponing that?

What are we hoping is going
to happen in the meantime?

That somebody
will think of something

before we have to do
the unthinkable.

You're one of the big minds
of your generation.

Have you thought
of anything yet?

No.

Neither have I.

Neither has the President
of the United States--

also a pretty good mind.

The Golden Gate Bridge?

Yeah.

Leo, we didn't have
anything to do

with Shareef's plane
going down, did we?

Sorry.

Two debates?

Yeah. The President and Bruno
aren't going to take it well.

There's actually

one person who's going
to take it worse.

Who?
( knock at door )

TOBY:
Somebody open the
damn door, please?

I'll get it.
It's locked, or something.

Don't try to force it.

Two debates.
Oh, good.

Yeah.
Did they say why?

They're faxing over
their statement

and having
their press conference

Monday.
Here's the fax.

And the President's
asking for you next door.

"Given the inability
of the two major..."

Do you mind
that I'm reading this?

Would it matter?

"...the two major parties
to agree

"upon earlier
Commission proposals

"the uncertainty caused

"by recent
court rulings

"and the shortened...
time period

"in which to schedule debates
for maximum viewing

the Commission hereby amends..."

He got exactly what he wanted

for dragging
his feet.

Well, that's why he did it.

You can't fault
him for having a
winning strategy.

I'm not faulting him;
I'm faulting them.

I'll be back
in a minute.

CASPER:
That should
be marked

Central Daylight
Time, 2:05 P.M.

PRESIDENT:
Leo, they did it.

What?

Casper's boys.

( chuckling ):
Hey, really?

One suspect... you tell him.

One suspect
was shot and killed

another wounded
in the leg.

Wounded in the leg.

That's it.
Our guys...

Our guys are fine.

They are fine.

We seized
high explosive gunpowder

galvanized
steel pipes

time fuses,
blasting caps...

And? Come on, and...?

Blueprints to the pool at KSU.

And the kid?

He's...

Go ahead, sir.

University Hospital.

Stable condition.

Mike, pick yourself
out a daughter.

My oldest is married,
but I can have it annulled.

The Pope said he'd do it,
I swear to God.

That's very friendly
of you, sir.

Jerry, was that note
anything I need?

I don't know.

Israeli search and rescue

is looking for a transport

that fell off the
radar about 12 hours

uh, 12 hours
and 22 minutes

into the flight--
about 15, um...

I'm sorry,
about 25 minutes

before it was scheduled to land
at Ben Gurion Airport.

Where did it originate?

It originated,
um... oh, God.

Mr. President, I
think Ben Yosef
is on that plane.

He is.

MORRIS:
Did they give
coordinates?

JERRY:
33-51 North,
34-47 East.

34-47...
It's Lebanon, right?

MORRIS:
Yeah, southern
Lebanon.

At any rate,
Mr. President

the, uh, the S and R's
just gotten underway.

Okay. Somebody
will keep me posted.

Yes, sir.

CASPER:
Thank you,
Mr. President.

Mike? No kidding,
thank you.

Thank you, sir.

Ben Yosef's plane is missing.

Now, how did I
not see that coming?

Yeah, call that play
on first down again, Coach

'cause I'm sure they're
not ready for it this time.

You know, if you ask

a professional athlete
what the hardest thing

is to do in sports,
they'll all say

hit a baseball.

But a coach once told me

that the hardest thing to do
in sports

is to walk into your Super Bowl
locker room at halftime

and change the strategy
that got you there

'cause it's no longer working.

It's really okay that,
after almost every play

somebody requires medical
attention?

It's not even the number of
debates as much as the format.

Two minute response
followed by a one
minute reply.

That's not a debate.
That's not a debate.

That's a joint press conference.

Good evening,
Mr. President.

Nice job on the Red Mass.
First rate.

You don't mind if I change
everything, do you?

No, sir.

Here... here...
and I added a section here.

Ah! Cute.

Let's take a look.

It's a joint
press conference.

It's not necessary

that the candidates
be in the same room.

That part's just theater.

We're talking about ways to
possibly lower expectations.

I like what you did.
I like the 80-20.

Be nice to be
able to respond

to what the other person
has said

and ask them a question.

And the moderator
should be empowered

to press for an answer

just as a judge
can of a witness

or a member of Congress
in a confirmation hearing.

Mmm.

Sam, what do you think
about me writing you

an urgent memo:

"I think Ritchie
is a more skilled debater

"than we're anticipating.

"He has, after all, debated
three gubernatorial candidates

and won each time."

And leak the memo?

Yeah.

I think you'll look silly.

I'm used to that.

I don't think
it'll do much.

Me, neither.

Cicero wanted to restore

the overthrown
king of Egypt

and the Roman Senate debated
all day and into the night

every military and diplomatic
consequence

until they collapsed
on the Senate floor.

Lentulus is trying to overthrow
the republic.

Caesar goes up
against Cato--

by the way,
in the very first

public debate
on the death penalty.

They were against each other,
it was a debate

and they explored
the meaning

of spirituality
and suffering.

And then they
put Lentulus to death.

That's right. But my point...

Why not?
Why not what?

Ask for a
different format.

We didn't get the number
of debates we wanted

so why not ask for
a different format?

We'd never get it.
We might.

The Ritchie people would put up
too much of a fight.

They might consider it.

They might consider it
if we give them

something else they wanted.

Other than this house

we don't have anything else
they want.

Sure we do.

Sure we do.

We wanted five debates,
they wanted none.

We have exactly one thing left
that they want.

Wow.

Isn't this exactly why casinos
don't play with a one-deck shoe?

Yes.

Mr. President...

Hmm...

Mr. President

the car's ready.

He's still running
that screen pass.

Get Toby to sign off
and I'm in.

This is going
to be interesting.

Do I need my speech?

I've got it.

You mind if I ask you
something about Red Mass

I'm curious about?

And so, how isn't it
a Constitutional issue?

It is, but sometimes you say,
"Big deal."

It was the intention
not to have a national religion

not to have anyone's religious
views imposed on anyone else

and not to have
the government encourage

a national display of piety
as a substitute for real action

but sometimes you say,
"Big deal."

I'll be in the office
a minute.

Thank you.

Hey... this
was dropped

at the northwest gate
for you just now.

Who is it from?

I don't know.

It's from Anthony.

He's the one
who was here yesterday.

Nice note?

No. At several points

he suggests
that I might have

an improper relationship
with my mother.

Why are you smiling?

He wrote on the back
of the First Amendment.

Hey, Josh, why can't
the Mets throw strikes

when they've got
a three-one lead?

Yeah, let me ask you
another.

With a runner on first
who's a threat to steal,
why not just...

See you.

Okay.

Hey.

Oh, hey.
I didn't... Hi.

My mind was wandering.

What are you doing here?

I'm sorry?

What are you doing here?

Danya Zucker had an extra ticket

for the Mass, and she asked me.

Are you going?

No... No.

Can you give me any indication
what the senator's thinking?

I really can't.

He spoke to me for a while
yesterday and...

( heavy sigh )

again today, and I don't know
what he's thinking, but...

I can tell you
what I told him at the end.

What?

I told him I thought

he'd been an extraordinary
public servant--

thoughtful and energetic

and compassionate
and courageous

and I told him
I'd be voting for the President.

Why?

First of all, I'm crazy
about the President, Josh.

I've been crazy about him
for longer

than you've known
who he was.

And I'll keep poking him
with a stick.

That's how I show my love.

But... as a women's issue,
it's a no-brainer.

The next Justice
can overturn Roe and...

you don't screw around
with that.

Hey, you want to see
what I learned to do
since you got me fired?

Look...
Watch.

( sighs heavily )

( blowing )

Right away,
that's impressive, right?

But that's just
the preparation.

This is the thing.

( snickering )

What is it?

What do you want it to be?

DANYA:
Amy?

Out here.

I'll see you.

( Vivaldi's "Gloria" playing)

* Gloria, gloria!

* Gloria, gloria!

* In excelsis deo

* In excelsis...

I was thinking about
what you asked me before

about have I been able to think
of anything, and I said, "No."

And you said,
"Neither have I

and neither has the President."

What about it?

I wouldn't speak
for anybody else

but you know
I'm not done yet, right?

( music continues )

* In excelsis...

* Gloria, in excelsis deo

( music ends )

Toby...

Nope. Stay there.

I'm first looking

for something
to beat you with.

Look...
I'm going to do it
with my hands.

Let me tell
you something.

One debate!

What's really
the difference

between one debate
and two debates?

What's the difference betw...?

It's a whole other debate.

It's a second debate!

It's a hundred percent
more debate!

"Somebody should
ask him if he's aware
taxpayers pay $9,000 this

"instead of $200,000 that.

"And somebody should ask him
what he means by

and somebody should ask him
how he plans on..."

You said that,
and you were right.

What if he has a bad night?

It's happened.

What if he gets
himself into trouble?

What if Ritchie comes
after Abbey or the kids

and the President goes postal?

That's what I'd try to do.

Stress, hot lights...

What if he has an episode?

We lose.

When you can't lower
expectations

you only have one thing
you can do!

You have to meet them!

( sighing deeply )

Clear 24 hours from the
President's schedule.

We're going away.

( pipe organ music playing )

( sotto voce ):
There she is.

C.J.

( clears throat )

Susan.

The senator would like
a quick word with the President.

Is that possible?

Well, I don't know, Susan.

He should.

Okay.

( organ music continues )

That was a wonderful
talk, Mr. President.

Thank you.
I didn't write much of it.

The 80-20 section.

That part I wrote.

I added it.

When you first started...

when you talked about

how much politicians hunger
after the 80-20 issue

I thought, "My God,
I'm about to watch
a train wreck.

"He's going to make
a political speech

"to the Supreme Court

while standing in the
middle of a church."

But of course you didn't.

I should've known better.

"Who among the 80 will
stand up for the 20?"

You did, Howard.

You did all the time.

I was telling Josh Lyman

about a friend who just
got his pilot's license.

He told me the most
remarkable thing.

He said a new pilot

will fly into cloud cover.

There'll be no visibility.

And they'll
check their gauges

they'll look at the
artificial horizon

it'll show them level,
but they won't trust it.

So they'll make an
adjustment and then
another and another...

He said the number
of new pilots

who fly out of clouds
completely upside-down

would knock you out.

My office will
make arrangements

for me to endorse
you in the morning.

You keep your eyes on the
horizon, Mr. President.

( organ music continues )

REPORTERS ( shouting ):
Mr. President! Mr. President!

( camera shutters clicking )

( organ music continues )

( shutters clicking )

Are you ready
to go, sir?

No.

C.J.?

Yes, sir?

Would it be possible to move the
press off the church grounds?

I'm going to take questions
for a little while.

On what?

Needle exchange.
Yes, sir.

The President will
take questions

if you'll move off
the church grounds.
Just move back.