1. You look like
you could use a client.Copy !req
2. Wanna work for the leader
of the free world?Copy !req
3. Our job approval's 48%,
and I think that number's soft.Copy !req
4. I'm tired of being a captain for
the gang that couldn't shoot straight.Copy !req
5. You ran great guns
in the campaign.Copy !req
6. Then you drove to the middle of
the road the moment you took the oath.Copy !req
7. I wanted a Democrat,
and instead I got you.Copy !req
8. Leo, there are times
when we are absolutely nowhere.Copy !req
9. - It looks like it's gonna rain.
- It's overcast.Copy !req
10. Isn't that usually
what it is before it rains?Copy !req
11. - But in this case?
- It's gonna rain later.Copy !req
12. - If it rains, change the opening line.
- It's not gonna rain until maybe 2:00.Copy !req
13. If you're wrong,
you gotta change the line.Copy !req
14. This isn't from morning radio.Copy !req
15. This is from Lt. Emily
of the Coast Guard...Copy !req
16. who wouldn't let me down.
She has a very comforting voice.Copy !req
17. Here's my thing. If you're wrong,
if the Coast Guard is wrong...Copy !req
18. the remarks open with: "As I look
out over this magnificent vista. "Copy !req
19. If it gets moved indoors, he won't be
looking out over a vista of any kind.Copy !req
20. You think he can't change it,
that he wouldn't know where he is?Copy !req
21. This isn't major.Copy !req
22. This is the United Organization
of Trout Fishermen. If it's moved...Copy !req
23. I got it from the U.S. Coast Guard.Copy !req
24. They use satellites.
They use technology.Copy !req
25. This is the same technology we use
to detect ballistic missiles, right?Copy !req
26. Yeah.Copy !req
27. - All right.
- We should move it inside.Copy !req
28. Sam says it won't rain until later.Copy !req
29. Have you heard about
a paper going around?Copy !req
30. - What paper?
- I don't know.Copy !req
31. Dave Trillin asked what I knew
about a piece of paper going around.Copy !req
32. I haven't heard.Copy !req
33. - You should find out.
- Good advice.Copy !req
34. We're in the auditorium.Copy !req
35. - Are they moving people inside?
- They moved 20 minutes ago.Copy !req
36. The weather report called for rain.Copy !req
37. - It did?
- Yeah.Copy !req
38. Is it possible Lt. Emily
is yanking me around?Copy !req
39. - Where's the president?
- How's his mood?Copy !req
40. He had breakfast. He seemed upbeat,
energetic, optimistic.Copy !req
41. How long will that last?Copy !req
42. Can we hurry so I can go preside
over a civilization gone to hell?Copy !req
43. Nice talk. You know what this is?
Your mood, sir.Copy !req
44. - Nothing wrong.
- It's your diet. You need roughage.Copy !req
45. I'd like to beat you senseless
with a head of cabbage.Copy !req
46. Your immaturity about
vegetables isn't presidential.Copy !req
47. - Who has my remarks?
- Sam's bringing them.Copy !req
48. Is Toby on his way?
Why aren't they here now?Copy !req
49. They didn't know it was raining.Copy !req
50. Nothing like surrounding yourself
with the best.Copy !req
51. - Good morning.
- You didn't know it was raining?Copy !req
52. To our credit, we knew it was raining
once it started.Copy !req
53. - Here are your remarks.
- Who am I talking to now?Copy !req
54. - An organization of trout fishermen.
- Seriously.Copy !req
55. Give me the speech.Copy !req
56. There are anecdotes
about fishing.Copy !req
57. - Have I ever been fishing?
- Probably not.Copy !req
58. - Morning.
- What's going on?Copy !req
59. The CBO is gonna
revise its projections...Copy !req
60. two FEC commissioners
resigned today...Copy !req
61. - ... and the NGA endorsed trigger locks.
- How much?Copy !req
62. The projections?
Maybe 200 billion.Copy !req
63. Hang on.
Two FEC commissioners resigned?Copy !req
64. There are two seats open on the FEC?
This is interesting.Copy !req
65. This is not the best time
for an idealistic...Copy !req
66. Two seats just opened
on the election commission.Copy !req
67. - The Senate leaders will fill them.
- What if we want our guys?Copy !req
68. - We won't win.
- We can try.Copy !req
69. It's not a good idea.Copy !req
70. You're thinking about
changing democracy.Copy !req
71. I'm talking about dangling our feet.Copy !req
72. Get Leo two candidates who back
campaign finance reform.Copy !req
73. I gotta stand with Leo on this.Copy !req
74. I'm not saying jump off the boat.
I'm saying dangle our feet.Copy !req
75. - Mr. President?
- Yes?Copy !req
76. - Somebody?
- United Organization of Trout Fishermen.Copy !req
77. Is your head gonna be
in changing democracy?Copy !req
78. No, I'm gonna be thinking
about trout fishermen.Copy !req
79. - You felt better earlier.
- Try a year ago.Copy !req
80. Does anybody know anything
about a paper?Copy !req
81. - C.J., are you taller than usual?
- I'm my usual height.Copy !req
82. Couldn't pick a trout out of a lineup.Copy !req
83. - Two FEC seats open on the same day?
- Dream all you want. It won't happen.Copy !req
84. That's what I thought,
but after your pep talk...Copy !req
85. Thank you very much.
It's good to see you.Copy !req
86. - Damn it!
- What?Copy !req
87. I forgot to do something.Copy !req
88. As I look out over this
magnificent vista...Copy !req
89. How does the FEC work?Copy !req
90. Commissioners are in for six years.
Two seats come up every two years.Copy !req
91. Two just resigned?
How many times has that happened?Copy !req
92. Including this? Once.Copy !req
93. The president has the opportunity
to impact campaign finance reform?Copy !req
94. - Do it, baby.
- It's not easy.Copy !req
95. When a vacancy comes up,
the party leadership on both sides...Copy !req
96. - Did you just call me "baby"?
- Yeah.Copy !req
97. When a vacancy comes up,
the president fills it.Copy !req
98. The party leadership on both sides
always dictates who to appoint.Copy !req
99. One Republican, one Democrat.
That's how you keep the peace.Copy !req
100. - You're gonna change it?
- No, but I'm gonna try.Copy !req
101. Come on,
you're trying to change democracy.Copy !req
102. You're right.
I'll need a bagel.Copy !req
103. The Egg Hunt and the Egg Roll
are different.Copy !req
104. This year's theme is "Learning is
Delightful and Delicious. "Copy !req
105. As, by the way, am I.Copy !req
106. The collection which will
be on display here...Copy !req
107. features eggs decorated by artists
from each of the states.Copy !req
108. This is coordinated
by the American Egg Board.Copy !req
109. I've hung with some of the Egg Board
cats, and they are party people.Copy !req
110. Thank you, that's it
till this afternoon.Copy !req
111. - Steve? You got a second?
- Sure.Copy !req
112. What have you heard
about a paper that's out there?Copy !req
113. Same thing you've heard.
There's a piece of paper out there.Copy !req
114. - If you hear anything, you'll tell me?
- If I do, I'll tell my editor.Copy !req
115. I keep forgetting
you don't work for me.Copy !req
116. - See you.
- Bye.Copy !req
117. There's a buzz
in the room, about a paper...Copy !req
118. - Do you know anything?
- I know everything.Copy !req
119. I wrote it.Copy !req
120. What is it?Copy !req
121. I wrote a memo for Russell,
outlining strategy...Copy !req
122. - Excuse me, C.J.?
- Katie, they're in the Blue Room.Copy !req
123. When I worked for Russell,
I wrote a memo...Copy !req
124. outlining the Bartlet
administration's weaknesses...Copy !req
125. and mapping out a strategy
to defeat him for renomination.Copy !req
126. C.J., this is embarrassing
and a little mortifying.Copy !req
127. But remember how mad I was...Copy !req
128. You worked for us before,
and you work for us now.Copy !req
129. - In between, you wrote how to beat us?
- I was working for Russell...Copy !req
130. I need to see a copy of it right now!Copy !req
131. Margaret!Copy !req
132. I can't e-mail.
What's the problem?Copy !req
133. Lynette, from the Council
on Fitness, remember her?Copy !req
134. She's the one where you say, "Who?"
And I say, "Lynette from Fitness. "Copy !req
135. She sent me an e-mail about the number
of calories in our raisin muffins.Copy !req
136. I forwarded it to several
hundred secretaries in the west wing.Copy !req
137. Jolene Millman, in Political Liaison,
hit "reply," which...Copy !req
138. Margaret, I'm sorry. I'm gonna have...Copy !req
139. I hung in there, but you passed
the point when I stopped caring.Copy !req
140. If you're curious,
it was around "raisin muffin. "Copy !req
141. - I'll leave you two alone.
- Fix the e-mail.Copy !req
142. - Who'd you find?
- Bacon and Calhoun.Copy !req
143. I know Bacon. Who else?Copy !req
144. Patty Calhoun's director of economic
studies at the Heritage Foundation.Copy !req
145. She worked for two Republicans.Copy !req
146. - She favors campaign finance reform?
- Aggressively.Copy !req
147. - The leadership will hate them both.
- What do you want me to do?Copy !req
148. - Meet with the leadership offices.
- You want me to meet with the leaders?Copy !req
149. No, meet their guys
outside the building, over a meal.Copy !req
150. The president can't think we'll
get anywhere, can he?Copy !req
151. The president doesn't think
we'll get anywhere, right?Copy !req
152. No.Copy !req
153. - What happened with the e-mail?
- Has to do with the Fitness Council.Copy !req
154. - Who'd you find?
- Bacon and Calhoun.Copy !req
155. - Not in a million years.
- What are you doing?Copy !req
156. It's our turn with the boys.
- Good luck.Copy !req
157. Do you want me
to do the talking?Copy !req
158. - Why?
- Just asking.Copy !req
159. Morning. Morning.Copy !req
160. We all know each other.
Why don't we sit down?Copy !req
161. We've been meeting
with various senior staff...Copy !req
162. on the DOD, NSC, and House
and Senate Armed Services.Copy !req
163. We feel a little hamstrung
because of the policy inherited...Copy !req
164. regarding gays in the military...Copy !req
165. and we'd like input before making
recommendations to the president.Copy !req
166. - Can I interrupt for a moment?
- Sure.Copy !req
167. What will come from
your recommendation?Copy !req
168. Well, actually, it'll be
Sam's recommendation to the president.Copy !req
169. I'm just helping out.Copy !req
170. What do you think
will be the consequence?Copy !req
171. Major, I would imagine
the consequences to be little.Copy !req
172. I would imagine it to be very little.Copy !req
173. If the president orders that gays
can serve openly...Copy !req
174. that's how it'll be. Anyone who
disobeys can stand court-martial.Copy !req
175. The president can give
all the orders he wants.Copy !req
176. It takes an act of Congress
to amend the Uniform Code...Copy !req
177. which makes sodomy
a crime. End of story.Copy !req
178. - I guess it'll be a short meeting.
- Yeah.Copy !req
179. There will be 25,000 wooden eggs
and 7500 other eggs.Copy !req
180. What are the other eggs?Copy !req
181. - The other eggs are...
- Real eggs.Copy !req
182. - Mandy's waiting.
- Where's Josh?Copy !req
183. - FEC commissioners.
- Tell him I'd like to see him.Copy !req
184. - 25,000 wooden eggs.
- Added to the 7500 eggs that are...Copy !req
185. - They're just regular eggs.
- Right.Copy !req
186. Is that it?Copy !req
187. Yeah.Copy !req
188. Who has it?Copy !req
189. I don't know.Copy !req
190. But somebody does.Copy !req
191. Yeah.Copy !req
192. Okay. I'm gonna read it now.Copy !req
193. Go back to your office
and don't answer any questions.Copy !req
194. You'll call me
when you're done reading?Copy !req
195. I'd count on it.Copy !req
196. Soft money renders the 1974
Campaign Reform Act toothless.Copy !req
197. Soft-money contributions, which were
designed for party building...Copy !req
198. only eviscerate election controls.
We are, by definition, corrupt.Copy !req
199. - I wouldn't say that.
- No, but this money isn't 1 Os and 20s.Copy !req
200. It's coming in in denominations
of 100, 200, 500,000 dollars!Copy !req
201. It comes from special interests
whose interests aren't the same...Copy !req
202. as those who don't have money. It's
going to issue ads and candidates.Copy !req
203. It's called free speech.Copy !req
204. If the insurance industry wants
to buy ad time, they can.Copy !req
205. If the airplane industry wants to back
a candidate, they can.Copy !req
206. If big tobacco wants to wave a sign,
they are free to do so.Copy !req
207. That's free speech, money isn't.Copy !req
208. I like it when Josh comes here and
teaches us a lesson we richly deserve.Copy !req
209. I came at the request of Leo McGarry.Copy !req
210. The president is
strongly considering...Copy !req
211. John Branford Bacon and
Patty Calhoun to fill the two seats.Copy !req
212. We've already got our guys.Copy !req
213. - It's Kalen.
- Grant Kalen and Joe Barkley.Copy !req
214. People who oppose
any campaign finance reform.Copy !req
215. I thought you liked Kalen.
He's elected Democrats from Indiana.Copy !req
216. He's raised money in Indiana.Copy !req
217. Barkley says people can
spend whatever they want on politics.Copy !req
218. So does the Supreme Court.Copy !req
219. We can't do this every time Bartlet
wants to make the world better.Copy !req
220. The party leadership's gonna choose
a Republican and a Democrat.Copy !req
221. That's the way it's been, the way
it's gonna be, and the way it is.Copy !req
222. - Really?
- Yes.Copy !req
223. - The president makes FEC appointments.
- The Senate confirms them.Copy !req
224. I'm speaking for the majority leader.Copy !req
225. Embarrass us, and we'll
give the same back to you.Copy !req
226. Any legislation you want
off the table will show up.Copy !req
227. Our greatest hits: 541, school prayer,
family support, entertainment decency.Copy !req
228. - English as the national language.
- That will be our leadoff hitter.Copy !req
229. - Why not just not confirm our guys?
- We'll do that too.Copy !req
230. In addition to voting down
our nominees...Copy !req
231. there will be retribution
for nominating them?Copy !req
232. Yes. You know why?Copy !req
233. Because you know you're gonna lose,
and we're gonna look bad winning.Copy !req
234. I reject maintaining free speech
through government regulation.Copy !req
235. - Reject what you want.
- What?Copy !req
236. Reject whatever you want.Copy !req
237. This was a fool's errand for me
and the president knew it.Copy !req
238. This was a test balloon,
an "out of curiosity, what if" meeting.Copy !req
239. - But you've got me on board.
- Steve, we've got a caucus.Copy !req
240. We gotta go.Copy !req
241. - I'm going to lunch.
- The president won't eat his.Copy !req
242. Why is he dissatisfied?Copy !req
243. - It's entirely vegetables.
- It's a salad.Copy !req
244. He'd prefer a sandwich.
Roast beef, pastrami, steak.Copy !req
245. He will eat it, and if he doesn't
like it, he knows where to put it.Copy !req
246. I don't think I will tell him that,
but I appreciate your help.Copy !req
247. - If it ain't broke...
- "Don't ask, don't tell" works.Copy !req
248. It doesn't. Want to know
how much it doesn't?Copy !req
249. - 1145 gays were discharged in 1998.
- That's a record.Copy !req
250. A 92% increase since
"don't ask, don't tell. "Copy !req
251. 414 Air Force discharges,
the highest in two decades.Copy !req
252. 271 of them during basic training
at Lackland Air Force Base.Copy !req
253. - What's going on there?
- I don't like your humor.Copy !req
254. - I get that a lot.
- Sorry, I need Toby.Copy !req
255. Yeah. Come here a sec.Copy !req
256. You're doing good.Copy !req
257. - What?
- I know what the paper is.Copy !req
258. A strategy memo Mandy wrote.Copy !req
259. - Strategy to do what?
- Beat us.Copy !req
260. - Did you read it? Is it bad?
- Yeah.Copy !req
261. Let's go to my office.Copy !req
262. How'd it go?Copy !req
263. - How do you know to be here?
- I see you out your office window.Copy !req
264. - Why are you in my office?
- Looking for you out the window.Copy !req
265. How'd it go?Copy !req
266. - It went fine.
- Fine? You don't want to say more?Copy !req
267. I don't, and you know I don't
because I'm not.Copy !req
268. - This is our time together.
- I can't mess around.Copy !req
269. I need to be prepped on
English as the national language.Copy !req
270. - Why?
- Might come up.Copy !req
271. Because...
It doesn't matter.Copy !req
272. If we do the FEC thing, English as
the national language is on the table.Copy !req
273. Are we for it or against it?Copy !req
274. We don't favor another language,
do we?Copy !req
275. Dutch or something.Copy !req
276. Didn't I just tell you
I can't mess around?Copy !req
277. - Bullet points? Give me 30 minutes.
- Thank you.Copy !req
278. Toby said to come by
as soon as you got back.Copy !req
279. I'm not taking any calls.
I'll call them back.Copy !req
280. "The reality of the Bartlet
White House is a flood of mistakes.Copy !req
281. An agenda stalled
and lacking a coherent strategy.Copy !req
282. An administration
plagued by indecision. "Copy !req
283. - Ginger.
- What's going on?Copy !req
284. Mandy wrote a manual for Russell,
and it's out. I don't know where.Copy !req
285. How bad is it?Copy !req
286. She takes us to town.Copy !req
287. We don't look like rocket scientists,
but we're not.Copy !req
288. - Who is it bad for?
- The president and Leo.Copy !req
289. - Who has this?
- I'm finding out.Copy !req
290. Do it quietly.Copy !req
291. Quickly. Whose paper is it in
tomorrow? We have to know.Copy !req
292. Our second year doesn't seem to be
going better than our first, does it?Copy !req
293. No.Copy !req
294. - Does he have a minute?
- He's finishing with the chairman.Copy !req
295. They almost done?
I'll wait.Copy !req
296. You having problems
with your e-mail?Copy !req
297. Support says the pipeline's
been flooded.Copy !req
298. It happened when I forwarded an e-mail
to people and one tried to reply.Copy !req
299. E-mail boxes are clogged.
Replies are...Copy !req
300. automatically bouncing
back and forth at subatomic speed.Copy !req
301. I've passed the point
where you're interested, haven't I?Copy !req
302. Yeah.Copy !req
303. - Thank you, Fitz.
- Thank you.Copy !req
304. - Good afternoon.
- You here for me?Copy !req
305. Is the Philippines redundant?Copy !req
306. - It is. That's the beauty of it.
- You'll have to convince him.Copy !req
307. - I will.
- If you say so.Copy !req
308. - Who are those guys?
- A meeting on gays in the military.Copy !req
309. - Why?
- Sam's trying to build a position.Copy !req
310. If he comes up with one,
let me know.Copy !req
311. There may be a security breach
with the computers.Copy !req
312. - White House computers aren't secure.
- That explains that.Copy !req
313. - He wants to put A1-M1 s in Manila.
- The president will say it's redundant.Copy !req
314. - How much does it cost?
- Not much. 20 billion.Copy !req
315. - So there's gonna be a thing.
- About what?Copy !req
316. Mandy wrote a memo for Russell,
and someone's got it.Copy !req
317. - Who?
- C.J.'s finding out.Copy !req
318. That's politics.
She was playing for the other guys.Copy !req
319. Yeah.Copy !req
320. There's some observations
the president won't be wild about.Copy !req
321. I move him to the middle.Copy !req
322. The sense is that he's aggressive
and you take him to safe ground.Copy !req
323. Don't worry about it.Copy !req
324. Don't worry about it.Copy !req
325. - Want to see a copy?
- No.Copy !req
326. Six pages on English as the national
language. Stuff on James Madison...Copy !req
327. James Madison? I didn't ask
for a damn social studies paper.Copy !req
328. - Don't snap at me, Josh.
- Donna...Copy !req
329. Look at the memo. I gave you
what you asked for. Don't snap.Copy !req
330. What's wrong with everyone today?Copy !req
331. It's been all day.
Is it Mandy's memo?Copy !req
332. No.Copy !req
333. Why is everyone walking around
like they've already lost?Copy !req
334. I wasn't snapping at you.Copy !req
335. I didn't realize that you
also gave me what I asked for.Copy !req
336. I thought you just
gave me James Madison.Copy !req
337. Look at the James Madison.
It's gonna help you.Copy !req
338. Thanks.Copy !req
339. - How will Madison help you?
- I don't know.Copy !req
340. The president
wants two reformers on the FEC.Copy !req
341. Onorato will retaliate with
English as the national language.Copy !req
342. - The president won't look good.
- Tell me what else I should know.Copy !req
343. The president won't look good
fighting that one.Copy !req
344. You oppose flag burning, school
prayer, gays in the military.Copy !req
345. Say no to this,
and they'll paint a picture...Copy !req
346. I understand, Mandy.Copy !req
347. Fine. I'm just saying
it's my job to tell you that.Copy !req
348. Today isn't the best day
for you to tell me what your job is.Copy !req
349. I wrote an op memo.
We've written 20!Copy !req
350. - Ever hear of a burn bag?
- They got it off my hard disk.Copy !req
351. Do you know who has it?
Then there's not much you can do.Copy !req
352. Don't let the president
debate English...Copy !req
353. It won't happen. The president won't
nominate who he wants to the FEC.Copy !req
354. Why not?Copy !req
355. Because that's not what we do.Copy !req
356. All right.Copy !req
357. - I'll leave you alone.
- Thanks.Copy !req
358. - Everyone's feeling this way today?
- Yeah.Copy !req
359. Okay. Thanks.Copy !req
360. Hang on.
A lot of those cases...Copy !req
361. - This report, by the way...
- We can read. We know the report.Copy !req
362. Lots of cases of gays being discharged
came from voluntary statements.Copy !req
363. These aren't voluntary, not by any
definition given by a court.Copy !req
364. It's not voluntary
if given to a therapist...Copy !req
365. as in
Corporal David Blessing's case.Copy !req
366. It is not voluntary
when it's in a personal diary...Copy !req
367. as in Nicole Garrison's case.Copy !req
368. It's not when it's made when asked,
as in Officer Diane Kelli's case.Copy !req
369. And it is not when it is coerced
out through fear...Copy !req
370. intimidation, death threats,
and prosecution...Copy !req
371. as in the case of Bob Kiddis, Kevin
Keys and four sailors on the Essex.Copy !req
372. We'll take care of our guys.Copy !req
373. - Your guys are looking for jobs.
- Those weren't our guys.Copy !req
374. - Oh, my God.
- Attention!Copy !req
375. - Good afternoon, Sam.
- Mr. Chairman.Copy !req
376. - How do you do, admiral?
- Good to see you.Copy !req
377. We haven't met.Copy !req
378. From Oregon.
Percy Fitzwallace.Copy !req
379. - It's an honor, admiral.
- I imagine it would be.Copy !req
380. This is Chairman Fitzwallace.Copy !req
381. They won't speak until I speak
to them. They're well-trained.Copy !req
382. Stand easy.Copy !req
383. - This Danish for anybody?
- Yes, sir.Copy !req
384. We're discussing gays in the military?Copy !req
385. What do you think?Copy !req
386. - I said, what do you think?
- We're here to help...Copy !req
387. - I'm asking what you think.
- We're not prejudiced.Copy !req
388. - You just don't want them serving.
- No, I don't.Copy !req
389. They pose a threat
to discipline and cohesion.Copy !req
390. That's what I think too.Copy !req
391. The military wasn't designed
as an instrument of social change.Copy !req
392. Problem is, they said that about me
50 years ago.Copy !req
393. Blacks shouldn't serve. It disrupts
the unit. Know what? It did.Copy !req
394. The unit got over it and changed.Copy !req
395. I'm an admiral and chairman
of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.Copy !req
396. Beat that with a stick.Copy !req
397. We'll see you, Ken.Copy !req
398. Excuse me.Copy !req
399. Mr. Chairman.Copy !req
400. Just... Thanks for stopping in.Copy !req
401. You're not gonna get anywhere.Copy !req
402. The president wanted
some exploratory meetings.Copy !req
403. - I was hoping to find you. I wanted...
- Hang on.Copy !req
404. - I wanted to ask...
- Hang on.Copy !req
405. - Is it the Magna Carta...?
- I'm finishing a thought.Copy !req
406. I'm finished.Copy !req
407. You've heard there's a paper?
Know what it is?Copy !req
408. - A strategy memo for Russell.
- That's right.Copy !req
409. You gotta know I don't like
exploiting our friendship...Copy !req
410. and I don't like taking advantage
of any feelings you have for me.Copy !req
411. - You have them too.
- I don't.Copy !req
412. I need to be ready for this.Copy !req
413. - Do you know who has it?
- Yes.Copy !req
414. Who has it?Copy !req
415. I do.Copy !req
416. You have it?
You're gonna write about it?Copy !req
417. - Sure.
- Why?Copy !req
418. - Because it's news.
- It's not news.Copy !req
419. Just because it's entertaining!Copy !req
420. It's news. The president's
media director...Copy !req
421. wrote a memo to a party leader
describing his weaknesses.Copy !req
422. People in the party buy my paper.
They'd like to know what Mandy thinks.Copy !req
423. - Mandy wasn't working here then.
- I don't care where she was working!Copy !req
424. She's a key player, and she says
the president's vulnerable.Copy !req
425. That may not be
good news for you, but it's news.Copy !req
426. You asked us
to write about Easter eggs...Copy !req
427. Fine. We'll have a comment
for you by day's end.Copy !req
428. - None of this is our fault!
- None of what?Copy !req
429. Mandy's letter was pretty accurate.Copy !req
430. She was working for Russell.
You knew why.Copy !req
431. Why didn't you ask her,
"What are we doing wrong?"Copy !req
432. Because you knew what she'd say.
There was nothing you could do.Copy !req
433. You guys are stuck in the mud
around here...Copy !req
434. and none of it is the press' fault.Copy !req
435. I know you're frustrated.Copy !req
436. But that's nothing compared
to the people who voted for you.Copy !req
437. "We'll have a comment
for you by day's end"?Copy !req
438. When I want the White House to
comment on a story, I'll ask for it.Copy !req
439. I have to do this work.Copy !req
440. - I'd like to go on record...
- There is no record.Copy !req
441. I have no objection to what somebody
does in their own home.Copy !req
442. But when we're talking about schools
or Boy Scouts, we're talking about...Copy !req
443. Why does being gay mean
you can't keep your hands to yourself?Copy !req
444. And how can the armed forces
lay claim to restraint in that area?Copy !req
445. Want me to get the file
on sexual harassment in the DOD?Copy !req
446. I've had enough of this.Copy !req
447. "Don't ask, don't tell, don't pursue"
is federal law.Copy !req
448. It takes an act of Congress to change.Copy !req
449. If the president was serious
about changing it...Copy !req
450. he would not send you in here
with me and two junior DOD staffers.Copy !req
451. He'd call his staff together and say,
"I want a resolution in the House.Copy !req
452. I want 50 high-profile cosponsors.
I want a deal right now. "Copy !req
453. - Has the president done that?
- The president...Copy !req
454. Has the president done that, Sam?Copy !req
455. No.Copy !req
456. Okay, then.Copy !req
457. Is this meeting anything more
than a waste of time?Copy !req
458. No.Copy !req
459. Okay, then.Copy !req
460. I.T. Support is now accusing me
of being a hacker.Copy !req
461. They're accusing me of smurfing.Copy !req
462. They asked me if I was running
a Trojan horse. I said no.Copy !req
463. I was simply telling people the raisin
muffin calorie count was wrong.Copy !req
464. You don't believe me, take one
of those muffins down to the lab.Copy !req
465. - I'll do that.
- Will you?Copy !req
466. Get me a muffin. Use gloves. Slip it
in a bag. I'll send it to the lab.Copy !req
467. You're mocking me now,
aren't you?Copy !req
468. Yes.Copy !req
469. Come in.Copy !req
470. Margaret thinks the FBI's
gonna bust in here any minute.Copy !req
471. Got a second bit of bad news
for you today.Copy !req
472. - You got new numbers?
- Yeah.Copy !req
473. How bad is it?Copy !req
474. CNN/USA Today puts
our job approval at 42%.Copy !req
475. We dropped five points.
In a week?Copy !req
476. Unfavorables are higher
for the first time.Copy !req
477. 54% of the country is likely to vote
for a Republican in November.Copy !req
478. We dropped five points?
We didn't do anything last week.Copy !req
479. I'll say.Copy !req
480. Toby, when you start thinking about
jumping ship, you'll let me know?Copy !req
481. One victory in a year.
We got Mendoza on the court.Copy !req
482. This president was elected with
48% of the vote. Without a mandate.Copy !req
483. - The majority voted for somebody else.
- I don't care.Copy !req
484. He was elected and sworn in.
I was there at the time.Copy !req
485. It's not the easiest circumstance...
One victory isn't so bad.Copy !req
486. One victory stinks
for an administration.Copy !req
487. It's not the ones we lose that bother
me. It's the ones we don't try for.Copy !req
488. And I'm not too crazy about you
questioning my loyalty.Copy !req
489. The president's reading the memo.Copy !req
490. I wish you hadn't done that.
It's gonna piss him off.Copy !req
491. - It'll be in the paper tomorrow.
- Did you find out who has it?Copy !req
492. - Danny.
- And he's writing it?Copy !req
493. - Right next to the poll numbers.
- How do we drop five points?Copy !req
494. It happened.
Let's move on.Copy !req
495. I think the Senate
will confirm Bacon and Calhoun.Copy !req
496. They'll have to.
Voters want campaign reform.Copy !req
497. As punishment, their agenda
is to force the president...Copy !req
498. to be unpopular on everything.
Like English as the national language.Copy !req
499. We're not going
to let it on the table.Copy !req
500. - We shouldn't be afraid...
- He won't let it on the table.Copy !req
501. - Then we'll take their FEC candidates.
- As we always have.Copy !req
502. - What about you?
- My meeting?Copy !req
503. It was the same meeting
we've been having for...Copy !req
504. It was fine.Copy !req
505. I'm sorry to interrupt.Copy !req
506. - Who's got this?
- Danny Concanon.Copy !req
507. - Why am I finding out about this now?
- We learned about it today.Copy !req
508. I really did wake up
energized this morning.Copy !req
509. - I never go to bed that way.
- I know.Copy !req
510. Just once I'd like to end a day
feeling as good as when it started.Copy !req
511. - Are you bothered by this?
- The memo?Copy !req
512. Yeah.Copy !req
513. Yes.Copy !req
514. We've heard it before. You drive
me to safe ground. It's not true.Copy !req
515. - I know it's not true.
- Good.Copy !req
516. You drive me there.Copy !req
517. - What did you say?
- And you know it.Copy !req
518. We're in neutral because
that's where you say to stay.Copy !req
519. - You're wrong.
- I'm not.Copy !req
520. You want to do this now?Copy !req
521. You came to my house, Leo, and
you said, "Let's run for president. "Copy !req
522. I said, "Why?"Copy !req
523. You said, "So you can say
what you think. "Copy !req
524. - Where'd that part go?
- You tell me.Copy !req
525. I don't see a shortage of microphones.
What the hell were you waiting for?Copy !req
526. Everything you do says, "I don't
wanna be a one-term president. "Copy !req
527. - Didn't I say put our guys on the FEC?
- No, you did not.Copy !req
528. No. You said,
"Let's dangle our feet...Copy !req
529. in the water like we do when
we want to look like we're trying. "Copy !req
530. That's a fascinating version
of history.Copy !req
531. Take a look at Mandy's memo.
That's a fascinating version.Copy !req
532. You brought me in
on teachers, on capital gains.Copy !req
533. You brought me in
on China and on guns.Copy !req
534. From where? You've never been
out there on guns or teachers.Copy !req
535. You dangle, and I'm the hall monitor.Copy !req
536. It's my job to make sure
nobody goes off too far.Copy !req
537. Josh goes to the Hill on campaign
finance, he knows nothing will happen.Copy !req
538. Sam can't push "don't ask, don't tell"
and everyone knows that.Copy !req
539. If I said to get aggressive on
finance or gays in the military...Copy !req
540. you'd tell me, "Don't go too far. "Copy !req
541. If you said be aggressive, I'd say:Copy !req
542. "I serve at the pleasure
of the president. "Copy !req
543. We'll never know,
because you won't...Copy !req
544. - I have! Nothing happens!
- Want me to orchestrate this?Copy !req
545. You wanna see me mobilize these people
who would walk into fire for you?Copy !req
546. These people who showed up to lead,
who showed up to fight.Copy !req
547. He gets threats because
he dates your daughter.Copy !req
548. He was warned, "Don't show up.
You're in danger. "Copy !req
549. He said, "I'm going anyway. "
You said no.Copy !req
550. Prudent or not prudent, this
21-year-old, at $600 a week, said:Copy !req
551. "I'm going where I want to,
because a man stands up. "Copy !req
552. Everyone's waiting for you.
I don't know how much longer.Copy !req
553. I don't want
to feel like this anymore.Copy !req
554. You don't have to.Copy !req
555. - I don't wanna go to sleep like this.
- You don't have to.Copy !req
556. I want to speak.Copy !req
557. Say it to me.Copy !req
558. It's more important than
re-election. I want to speak.Copy !req
559. Say it again.Copy !req
560. This is more important than
re-election. I want to speak now.Copy !req
561. Now we're in business.Copy !req
562. We got our asses kicked,
but it's time to get up. Say it.Copy !req
563. More important than re-election.
I want to speak now.Copy !req
564. I'm gonna take the staff
off the leash.Copy !req
565. You have a strategy for all this?
What is it?Copy !req
566. I'm gonna try that for a while.Copy !req
567. The ground game isn't working.
We're gonna put the ball in the air.Copy !req
568. If we're gonna walk into walls,
I want us running into them.Copy !req
569. What?Copy !req
570. Tell the Hill the president's
named his nominees to the FEC.Copy !req
571. We're gonna lose some battles.Copy !req
572. We might even lose the White House.Copy !req
573. We won't be threatened by issues.
We'll put them front and center.Copy !req
574. We'll raise the level
of public debate in this country...Copy !req
575. and let that be our legacy.Copy !req
576. That sound all right
to you, Josh?Copy !req
577. I serve at the pleasure
of the president.Copy !req
578. I serve at the pleasure
of the president.Copy !req
579. I serve at the pleasure
of President Bartlet.Copy !req
580. I serve at the pleasure
of the president.Copy !req
581. Good.Copy !req
582. Let's get in the game.Copy !req