1. Previously on The West Wing:Copy !req
2. The only thing you can pray for
in this job . . .Copy !req
3. . . .is the strength
to get through the day.Copy !req
4. - What?
- We won California.Copy !req
5. How did we end up in a crouch?Copy !req
6. I'm not changing my ads
because of a stunt.Copy !req
7. Eric Baker's live on MSNBC right now.
Says he's not running.Copy !req
8. It's the time that I can
keep my commitment...Copy !req
9. to the people of Pennsylvania
to be a full-time governor.Copy !req
10. - Are you asking me on a date?
- You haven't said that you'll go.Copy !req
11. I don't wanna leave you guys with just
a candygram and a get-well card.Copy !req
12. We'll be fine.Copy !req
13. As most of you know...Copy !req
14. President Bartlet won
a Nobel Prize years ago...Copy !req
15. for economics.Copy !req
16. - Yeah.
- Mr. Vice President, the governor is here.Copy !req
17. - Show him in.
- Record deficits...Copy !req
18. - ... a weakened dollar...
- Governor.Copy !req
19. - Mr. Vice President.
- ... a ballooning trade imbalance—Copy !req
20. - What have they been saying?
- It's Bartlet-bashing, mostly.Copy !req
21. One advantage of not yet
having our nominee.Copy !req
22. - They could be going after you.
- Have a seat.Copy !req
23. Seems you have something of theirs
they're gonna need back.Copy !req
24. - It's good of you to come.
- My pleasure.Copy !req
25. I don't need to tell you what
a critical time this is.Copy !req
26. Brokered convention.
It's been a while.Copy !req
27. After the first ballot,
we need a consensus nominee.Copy !req
28. - Consensus? We're Democrats.
- The right ticket could create one.Copy !req
29. There's press speculation
about Matt Santos as VP.Copy !req
30. Of course. But you've gotta think
seriously about regional balance.Copy !req
31. - I think that'd be a must.
- Vinick's a moderate.Copy !req
32. States will be in play that Democrats
count on. We need to protect our flank.Copy !req
33. - Vinick's well-liked in my state.
- Pennsylvania's critical.Copy !req
34. From the convention
straight through to the general.Copy !req
35. We're gonna wanna
do everything possible . . .Copy !req
36. . . .to make sure that goes for us.Copy !req
37. - Thirsty? Want something to drink?
- Sure.Copy !req
38. Absolutely.Copy !req
39. Eight is enough.Copy !req
40. Eight is enough.Copy !req
41. Eight long, liberal years...Copy !req
42. It's Lincolnesque.Copy !req
43. Boil your message down
to the title of a bad TV show.Copy !req
44. Careful. It was formative
for many of us.Copy !req
45. - Formative?
- Crush on the mom.Copy !req
46. Very Mrs. Robinson.
What were you, 8?Copy !req
47. - Well, she seemed knowing.
- Eight kids.Copy !req
48. Maybe not so knowing
about contraception.Copy !req
49. - What's he saying?
- I wouldn't know. I'm not watching.Copy !req
50. Yeah, we were not watching
up in the suite.Copy !req
51. - What do we say to failed trade policies?
- Eight is enough!Copy !req
52. - To years of overregulation?
- Eight is enough!Copy !req
53. - To years of windfalls for trial lawyers?
- Eight is enough!Copy !req
54. To bloated bureaucracy,
runaway entitlements...Copy !req
55. - ... and endless red tape?
- Eight is enough!Copy !req
56. - What say we?
- Would eight, perhaps, be enough?Copy !req
57. - Eight is enough!
- Uncanny.Copy !req
58. Psychic. You need to . . . .Copy !req
59. - Someone I'm meeting later.
- Don't wanna keep a lady waiting.Copy !req
60. - It's good for her.
- To years of radical, activist...Copy !req
61. You wanted to talk?Copy !req
62. I have a proposition.Copy !req
63. You been watching this?Copy !req
64. - Is the Congressman—?
- Yeah, but—Copy !req
65. - It's okay.
- Sorry.Copy !req
66. - My time is your time.
- Evidently.Copy !req
67. - What's up?
- I'll just . . . .Copy !req
68. You should probably hear this too.Copy !req
69. The Russell campaign, in return for us
releasing our convention delegates . . .Copy !req
70. . . .is prepared to name Matthew Santos
as Democratic nominee . . .Copy !req
71. . . . for vice president
of the United States.Copy !req
72. Vice president?Copy !req
73. - To Russell.
- They've given us till Thursday.Copy !req
74. - Don't need it. Tell them we pass.
- We do, do we?Copy !req
75. - What do you think?
- He's acting like the front-runner.Copy !req
76. - He is.
- By the skin of his teeth.Copy !req
77. If this race had gone one more week,
you would be the one ahead.Copy !req
78. Arguments in favor: It avoids
a messy floor fight, chaotic convention.Copy !req
79. Also known as exciting,
also great television.Copy !req
80. Also known as "The Democrats
can't get their crap together. "Copy !req
81. The best argument is, it sets you up
as the consensus front-runner . . .Copy !req
82. . . .in either four or eight years.
Nomination would be yours.Copy !req
83. Or you're so tainted by association
when Vinick wins . . .Copy !req
84. - . . .you can't run for dogcatcher.
- I don't think anyone elects dogcatchers.Copy !req
85. - My dad ran for dogcatcher.
- Really?Copy !req
86. - No.
- This campaign has been . . .Copy !req
87. . . . predicated on, driven by, gotten all
of the aforementioned momentum . . .Copy !req
88. . . . from the ironclad conviction
that Russell can't win.Copy !req
89. I'm a three-term congressman . . .Copy !req
90. . . . being offered the second
most powerful job in the world.Copy !req
91. Sorry. I thought we were
discussing the vice presidency.Copy !req
92. How about we all sleep on it?Copy !req
93. - Hey, it's getting real, isn't it?
- Real as it gets.Copy !req
94. I'll call you right back.Copy !req
95. - Well?
- You didn't expect an answer.Copy !req
96. - How it hit him. A read.
- You know Josh.Copy !req
97. What's he gonna recommend?Copy !req
98. I'm not asking you to betray
king and country. A best guess.Copy !req
99. - I have no idea.
- That's a real coup for Santos.Copy !req
100. - Obscurity to the vice presidency?
- He'd be a fool not to take it.Copy !req
101. It elevates him to the big leagues.Copy !req
102. - How'd it go with Baker?
- Receptive.Copy !req
103. - You said nothing explicit?
- He got the drift.Copy !req
104. - Santos turns us down, we go to Baker.
- Win-win.Copy !req
105. Good day. Really good day.Copy !req
106. Treasury, Commerce, OMB.
I want all hands out . . .Copy !req
107. . . . refuting that swill the Republicans
were spewing last night.Copy !req
108. - Hey.
- Is for horses.Copy !req
109. Thank you, Grammy Cregg.Copy !req
110. You can take the girl
out of the Midwest—Copy !req
111. Fast as her little feet
could fly, or not.Copy !req
112. Something's wrong with the International
Space Station. Losing oxygen.Copy !req
113. - Astronauts on board can't fix it?
- Not so far. Got a NASA administrator . . .Copy !req
114. - . . . wants to see the president.
- President's unavailable. Bring him here.Copy !req
115. - Morning.
- Hey.Copy !req
116. You watch last night's
Bartlet bash-athon?Copy !req
117. They think it's Russell.
They're tying him to us.Copy !req
118. Russell's had as much to do
with what's gone on as—Copy !req
119. Not the best defense: "I had the job,
but no one actually listened to me. "Copy !req
120. Get ready for press questions
about how organized . . .Copy !req
121. . . . and unified the Republicans are
compared to us.Copy !req
122. Organized. They're about
as spontaneous as . . . .Copy !req
123. I actually can't think of anything
as unspontaneous as their convention.Copy !req
124. Four nights of Swiss watch precision.Copy !req
125. We get a pie fight.Copy !req
126. Thanks, Nancy. Steve, come in.Copy !req
127. Children. Infants.Copy !req
128. Well, there's a lot at stake
for these candidates.Copy !req
129. I'm chair of the DNC, and that's what
my days are. Babysitting.Copy !req
130. Tantrums, Mr. President.
"They have more floor passes.Copy !req
131. We need a bigger room in the hall. We
don't like this hotel, we want theirs. "Copy !req
132. I'm sorry this is falling to you.Copy !req
133. - Until we have a nominee—
- You saw last week's Time.Copy !req
134. - The exploding donkey.
- "Dems in Disarray. "Copy !req
135. You know what next week's will be.Copy !req
136. - "Republicans on a Roll"?
- Something has to be done, sir.Copy !req
137. I've reached the end of my influence.
They won't listen to the nanny.Copy !req
138. We may be in danger
of overextending the metaphor.Copy !req
139. We need Daddy to step in.Copy !req
140. A rescue operation is called for, but the
space shuttles are grounded right now . . .Copy !req
141. . . . pending a safety review and retrofit.Copy !req
142. Russians can't get
a launch together in time.Copy !req
143. - How long have they got?
- Assuming present rate of oxygen loss . . .Copy !req
144. . . . three weeks they'll be dead.Copy !req
145. Can't a shuttle be pressed into service
notwithstanding the review?Copy !req
146. One's missing half its wing assembly,
the other's undergoing tile replacement.Copy !req
147. Now, we can try
and speed up repairs—Copy !req
148. The concern would be losing
the shuttle crew and station crew.Copy !req
149. Now, that's the civilian shuttle.Copy !req
150. Sorry?Copy !req
151. Can we speak with the president?Copy !req
152. Yeah, they wanna announce
right after the Republican convention.Copy !req
153. Blunt the bounce. Smart.Copy !req
154. - How come we're not that smart?
- It's all I've been thinking.Copy !req
155. - Why didn't we offer it to him first?
- We hope to do better.Copy !req
156. - And because he's in front.
- if Hoynes' bimbo eruption . . .Copy !req
157. . . . happened earlier, we're the nominee.
If New York had been later.Copy !req
158. - Yeah, if wishes, horses, et cetera.
- What, is that a Dylan song?Copy !req
159. - Guys your age have this thing for Dylan.
- Guys my age?Copy !req
160. This is where we're at. We got close,
Russell got closer. Neither of us is home.Copy !req
161. - They offer a bird in the hand.
- Know that one?Copy !req
162. - What about Hoynes?
- He doesn't want it to be us.Copy !req
163. You think he still thinks
he has a hope?Copy !req
164. It's his last hurrah.
He's gonna milk this.Copy !req
165. And, yes, I believe that somewhere
in the back of his deeply deluded mind . . .Copy !req
166. . . . he imagines deadlocked convention,
a nation turns its Ionely eyes to Hoynes.Copy !req
167. - Simon and Garfunkel.
- Forget him. He's a wounded animal.Copy !req
168. He could wind up doing anything.Copy !req
169. Matt Santos for president.Copy !req
170. Yeah, just a moment.
Will Bailey for you.Copy !req
171. Yup.Copy !req
172. - Just checking in.
- Okay.Copy !req
173. Any preliminary thoughts
on our offer?Copy !req
174. It's the next thing we talk about.Copy !req
175. Thought the congressman
might wanna sit down with the VP.Copy !req
176. - I'll get back to you about that.
- Okay.Copy !req
177. I'll talk to you later.Copy !req
178. - What'd he say?
- What was that?Copy !req
179. - Get Hollofson.
- Baker's chief of staff?Copy !req
180. - He's just taking our temperature.
- We're gonna wanna stay in touch.Copy !req
181. How long have they got up there?Copy !req
182. They run out of oxygen
in less than three weeks . . .Copy !req
183. . . . if the leak doesn't get worse.Copy !req
184. Sir, the NASA administrator
alluded to a non-civilian shuttle.Copy !req
185. Wernher von Braun's autobiography
was titled I Aim for the Stars.Copy !req
186. Mort Sahl joked he should have added,
"Only Sometimes I Hit London. "Copy !req
187. I want hourly updates on everything
that's being done to fix this. Thank you.Copy !req
188. Thank you, Mr. President.Copy !req
189. - Us, they're a little worried about.
- Oh, thanks, Bill.Copy !req
190. - You know I'm counting on you.
- Left, left, left.Copy !req
191. - Bye.
- And that is exactly how Americans...Copy !req
192. feel about the Bartlet-Russell
White House.Copy !req
193. Left, left, left behind.Copy !req
194. You finish all your calls?Copy !req
195. You don't finish. At some point,
you just decide to stop dialing.Copy !req
196. How you feeling?Copy !req
197. Hard to say no to the vice presidency.Copy !req
198. Well, it's not what you signed up for.Copy !req
199. - No one signs up to come in second.
- Are you kidding me?Copy !req
200. - We didn't.
- No.Copy !req
201. Hard to say no to the vice presidency.Copy !req
202. You don't have to for a couple days.Copy !req
203. - Night, congressman.
- Good night.Copy !req
204. My fellow Americans...Copy !req
205. the body politic is ailing.Copy !req
206. - You're not going there.
- We have businesses paralyzed...Copy !req
207. - ... by overregulation.
- Tell me you're not going there.Copy !req
208. —international profile that's a shadow
of our former strength.Copy !req
209. - Is he doing what I think?
- Foreign policy stumbling...Copy !req
210. - ... from one crisis to another.
- The MS. He's invoking the MS.Copy !req
211. —progressively falling apart
before our very eyes.Copy !req
212. - This is gonna backfire.
- A Defense Department enfeebled...Copy !req
213. - Maybe people won't get it.
- ... so clogged with complications...Copy !req
214. - ... it's positively sclerotic.
- Okay, they'll get that.Copy !req
215. I don't know about you,
but I am sick and tired...Copy !req
216. - ... of being sick and tired.
- You're going to hell!Copy !req
217. Josh, let's sit over here.Copy !req
218. How you doing?Copy !req
219. I mean, I realize the VP candidate's
the designated hatchet man, but that's—Copy !req
220. - Santos accepts, you can get revenge.
- Yeah.Copy !req
221. You think I might find five
or 500 ways to call Vinick old?Copy !req
222. You want sclerotic,
I'll give you sclerotic.Copy !req
223. - Santos wouldn't do it.
- Probably not.Copy !req
224. - Maybe why he shouldn't take the job.
- Maybe why he'd be a great choice.Copy !req
225. - You want him to accept?
- You don't.Copy !req
226. I have concerns.Copy !req
227. - He's not hitman enough.
- Too much voltage on the ticket.Copy !req
228. - Overshadows the nominee.
- People wish the names were reversed.Copy !req
229. Gets people willing to wait
until next time.Copy !req
230. - How'd you get so smart about this?
- I had a good teacher.Copy !req
231. Thanks.Copy !req
232. I meant Will.Copy !req
233. - Okay, see you later. Good night.
- Good night.Copy !req
234. Evening, Charlie.Copy !req
235. Mr. President . . . .Copy !req
236. Listening to relentless attacks
upon my record . . .Copy !req
237. . . . seems to have left me wakeful.Copy !req
238. Thought I'd stretch my legs,
so it's really the Republicans' fault . . .Copy !req
239. . . . we're in this terribly
embarrassing situation.Copy !req
240. It's . . . .Copy !req
241. I think, perhaps, the best thing
is for us to carry on . . .Copy !req
242. . . .as if this encounter
hadn't happened.Copy !req
243. Due respect, I'm having a hard time
exactly imagining that.Copy !req
244. It's 1 in the morning, we both have
to be at work in a few hours . . .Copy !req
245. . . . and you're standing outside
my daughter's bedroom.Copy !req
246. I say we give it a shot.Copy !req
247. - Night, Charlie.
- Good night, Mr. President.Copy !req
248. - Good morning.
- Morning.Copy !req
249. - Morning.
- Morning.Copy !req
250. What's the status
of the space station leak?Copy !req
251. - Unchanged.
- Current thinking on options?Copy !req
252. Sections of the space station
can be sealed off.Copy !req
253. There are small compartments
to repair to conserve air.Copy !req
254. - Which just delays the inevitable.
- Which buys time to fix it.Copy !req
255. - Engineers are working around the clock.
- Around the world.Copy !req
256. Which is great, and hopefully
will make one heck of a movie . . .Copy !req
257. . . . but should these efforts fail,
I don't relish the idea . . .Copy !req
258. . . . of astronauts floating
in some spaceship sarcophagus.Copy !req
259. - Rescue options?
- That's NASA's area.Copy !req
260. DOD space program expenditures
for the last fiscal year . . .Copy !req
261. . . . came to $22.9 billion, or $ 7 billion
more than NASA's civilian program.Copy !req
262. - What are we spending that on?
- That's what the Chinese want to know.Copy !req
263. Since they're not here,
maybe you could just tell me.Copy !req
264. - Missile warning, command and control.
- Solar flare watch.Copy !req
265. Twenty billion to tell us
when the sun burps?Copy !req
266. - They disrupt satellite communications.
- Yes, and Grand Ole Opry broadcasts.Copy !req
267. Are we weaponizing space?Copy !req
268. Air Force Special Command
operates and supports . . .Copy !req
269. . . . the Global Positioning System
and military communication satellites.Copy !req
270. We look at ways space systems
can support war fighters . . .Copy !req
271. - . . .in navigation, intelligence.
- Is that weaponizing space?Copy !req
272. Space-based lasers, highly targeted,
no nuclear fallout.Copy !req
273. Space-based kinetic energy weapons.
Hunter-Killer satellites.Copy !req
274. - R & D guys talk about a lot of things.
- A military space shuttle.Copy !req
275. - Reusable launch vehicle.
- Space bomber.Copy !req
276. That has the theoretical capability
of launching and dropping a weapon . . .Copy !req
277. . . . anywhere in the world.Copy !req
278. With virtually no ability
to detect it in advance.Copy !req
279. Out of reach of conventional
air defense.Copy !req
280. Theoretical capability.Copy !req
281. No one wants space
to become a battleground.Copy !req
282. Is that the argument in favor of
building it or of not building it?Copy !req
283. Or the argument for building it
and not telling anyone?Copy !req
284. The answer to that would be yes.Copy !req
285. Annabeth, is there a contingency plan
to go up and rescue these astronauts . . .Copy !req
286. . . . if they can't fix the leak?Copy !req
287. NASA is exploring all their options.Copy !req
288. The precise nature of those
is something best gotten from them . . .Copy !req
289. . . . but the president has every
confidence in their expertise.Copy !req
290. What's the White House reaction
to the Bartlet-bashing . . .Copy !req
291. . . .at the Republican convention?Copy !req
292. - I'm not aware anyone here's seen it.
- No one?Copy !req
293. We have a country to mis-run.Copy !req
294. - So you saw it.
- I gleaned the gist.Copy !req
295. "Republican good, Democrat bad. "
Sophisticated dialectic. Nuanced.Copy !req
296. Care to comment
on the expected contrast . . .Copy !req
297. . . . between the high degree of discipline
in the Republican convention . . .Copy !req
298. . . . and the Democrat's
anticipated free-for-all?Copy !req
299. I believe the people
will be the beneficiaries . . .Copy !req
300. . . .in that they will be presented
a clear choice.Copy !req
301. Do they want to be governed by people
who are animated or animatronic?Copy !req
302. Mr. President? The first lady's
back, and Leo's here.Copy !req
303. - Send him in, please.
- Mr. McGarry.Copy !req
304. - Morning, Mr. President.
- Leo.Copy !req
305. - How you feeling, sir?
- Vexed, riled, irked.Copy !req
306. - The Republican convention.
- Ticked, honked, pissed.Copy !req
307. - You can't take it personally.
- I keep telling myself.Copy !req
308. Problem is, once you're telling
yourself that, it's too damn late.Copy !req
309. - Already taking it personally.
- Gonna be more next couple nights.Copy !req
310. I've got calls from everybody
in the party about ours.Copy !req
311. - Rorsche is going to pieces.
- Rock that he is.Copy !req
312. I thought he might cry in here.
Actual tears.Copy !req
313. With no nominee,
they're running over him.Copy !req
314. We need someone strong
to organize the damn thing.Copy !req
315. - Wonder who we can get.
- if it helps . . .Copy !req
316. . . .it gives me no pleasure
dumping this damn thing on you.Copy !req
317. The pleasure of not having
to do it yourself.Copy !req
318. Which is not inconsiderable.Copy !req
319. Let's get representatives
of the three candidates in here . . .Copy !req
320. . . . set down some ground rules,
establish a tone.Copy !req
321. A floor fight doesn't have to
devolve into a brawl.Copy !req
322. Is there anything to these
press rumors of a Russell-Santos deal?Copy !req
323. Be the smart move.Copy !req
324. Latino on the ticket from Texas,
gives us a shot there. Florida.Copy !req
325. Maybe even makes
California contestable.Copy !req
326. Let's not get carried away.
The Southwest?Copy !req
327. Vinick's politics put these in play.Copy !req
328. One way or another, we're
coming out of this with a nominee.Copy !req
329. Be nice if he didn't seem like
merely the last clown standing.Copy !req
330. Now, this space walk is scheduled
for 0900 hours Houston time...Copy !req
331. to again try and source
the oxygen leak.Copy !req
332. Now, the problem with space walks
is they're strenuous...Copy !req
333. resulting in increased
oxygen consumption.Copy !req
334. Obviously, not an optimal
condition at this juncture.Copy !req
335. The American people can
be assured, we on the ground...Copy !req
336. are doing everything possible to assist
these astronauts at this time.Copy !req
337. - How was your trip?
- You didn't haul yourself up here . . .Copy !req
338. . . .in the middle
of a presidential morning . . .Copy !req
339. . . . just to inquire about my trip—Copy !req
340. Oh, my God.
I can't remember where I was.Copy !req
341. Folk dancing, people winning things,
and lots of fiddles screeching.Copy !req
342. I'm sure the fiddles were wonderful.Copy !req
343. Maybe it was me doing
the screeching. Inside.Copy !req
344. I caught Charlie tiptoeing away
from Zoey's room last night.Copy !req
345. - Caught?
- Discovered. Encountered.Copy !req
346. No, damn it, I caught him red-handed,
skulking from my daughter's bedroom.Copy !req
347. Oh, I'm sure he wasn't skulking.Copy !req
348. If he'd been sauntering,
there might have been a row.Copy !req
349. - I got a big picture of that.
- Are you being blithe just to irritate me?Copy !req
350. Zoey told me about the two of them.Copy !req
351. Not that she had to, because there is
the small matter of the Secret Service.Copy !req
352. A clandestine
is a nonstarter around here.Copy !req
353. Then why have I been so
ostentatiously kept out of the loop?Copy !req
354. Golly. One wonders.Copy !req
355. Is that actual dismay?Copy !req
356. Or just your assumption
of the standard paternal attitude?Copy !req
357. - Does it matter?
- I just know how you abhor the cliché.Copy !req
358. What's up?Copy !req
359. I have an awkward question to ask.Copy !req
360. Awkward prying, awkward
embarrassing, awkward prurient?Copy !req
361. About your brother.Copy !req
362. - Okay.
- I'm sorry to ask . . .Copy !req
363. . . . but did David ever mention anything
about another kind of space shuttle?Copy !req
364. - Another kind of space shuttle?
- A non-civilian shuttle.Copy !req
365. A military shuttle?Copy !req
366. Did he ever mention anything
about anything like that?Copy !req
367. You mean, did he ever commit
a felonious breach of national security?Copy !req
368. Hints, intimations,
a brotherly confidence.Copy !req
369. - Brotherly confidence, by definition?
- Sibling one-upmanship.Copy !req
370. Look what I know.Copy !req
371. An occasional cryptic hint,
when he wanted to lord it over me.Copy !req
372. - Like being an astronaut wasn't enough.
- Thank you so much.Copy !req
373. If he'd been in that station and we
didn't send such a vehicle after him—Copy !req
374. - To send it reveals it.
- Would he have sacrificed himself . . .Copy !req
375. . . . for national security?Copy !req
376. He would have insisted on it.Copy !req
377. But don't ask me
what I would have insisted on.Copy !req
378. - Hey.
- Hey.Copy !req
379. The Post has the VP offer.Copy !req
380. You got somebody leaking
in your campaign.Copy !req
381. - I'd check yours.
- We run a pretty tight ship.Copy !req
382. - Maybe Hoynes' people got wind.
- It puts pressure on us.Copy !req
383. Lays us out there
if you turn us down.Copy !req
384. Thanks for coming in, guys.Copy !req
385. President asked me
to organize the convention . . .Copy !req
386. . . . since we don't have a nominee.Copy !req
387. Though, I'm now hearing
that may change?Copy !req
388. - We hope so.
- It's under respectful consideration.Copy !req
389. The White House
is officially neutral, of course . . .Copy !req
390. . . . but I don't think anyone's opposed
to avoiding a prime-time display . . .Copy !req
391. . . . of disharmony and dysfunction.Copy !req
392. Which is what we're here to discuss.Copy !req
393. We'll just wait for the
Hoynes representative to arrive.Copy !req
394. I don't know why
he was even invited.Copy !req
395. - He has 956 delegates.
- And no chance for the nomination.Copy !req
396. Dylan Clark, Hoynes for president.Copy !req
397. Thank you for that assessment
of our chances.Copy !req
398. - I'm sorry you heard that, but it's true.
- With you two maneuvering.Copy !req
399. - Gentlemen.
- You gonna accept?Copy !req
400. - We're mulling.
- It's a lousy job.Copy !req
401. I'm sure your candidate
would agree. Mine does.Copy !req
402. Maybe why he treated it
with such dubious respect.Copy !req
403. This is exactly what we
don't want on prime-time TV.Copy !req
404. The first order of business
is to select a convention chair.Copy !req
405. I've drawn up a list of candidates.Copy !req
406. - Martindale?
- I have no problem with him.Copy !req
407. - He stumped for you.
- We had a couple of joint appearances.Copy !req
408. A couple? If they showed up together
more, people would think they eloped.Copy !req
409. - Ding Martindale.
- Frenley's not acceptable.Copy !req
410. - He's strong, respected.
- On your VP shortlist.Copy !req
411. We don't have one.Copy !req
412. You have one, he's on it,
I'm dinging him.Copy !req
413. - No to Pereira.
- Why not?Copy !req
414. - Are you joking?
- He's Latino.Copy !req
415. - God forbid we show diversity.
- Said the man with a Latino candidate.Copy !req
416. I hope you're not suggesting Latinos
can't be trusted to be unbiased.Copy !req
417. The three of you, knock it off.Copy !req
418. Put lines through the names you
object to, and let me have them back.Copy !req
419. - Well, I'd like a day to go over this.
- No.Copy !req
420. Nope.Copy !req
421. Maybe you guys would prefer
a Republican.Copy !req
422. I'll look these over later,
see if there's a consensus.Copy !req
423. I'd like to discuss floor positions.Copy !req
424. To counteract the perception
Vinick has it wrapped up . . .Copy !req
425. . . .I propose placing
the California delegation up front.Copy !req
426. - Santos won there.
- Nice try.Copy !req
427. We're not gonna sit here
suggesting states your campaigns won.Copy !req
428. Battleground states.
Missouri, Wisconsin.Copy !req
429. - Texas. Spirited, boisterous.
- Loud enough to carry from the back.Copy !req
430. - Have something against my guy's state?
- You should.Copy !req
431. The VP carried his home state.Copy !req
432. - Matter of fact—
- We're not putting Colorado up front.Copy !req
433. - A Southern strategy—
- California.Copy !req
434. - Fifth largest economy in the world.
- What has that got to do with anything?Copy !req
435. Mr. President, you wanted to see me?Copy !req
436. You were right. Avoiding last night
is really not going to work.Copy !req
437. - Yes, sir.
- I don't wanna get righteously paternal.Copy !req
438. Sir, I don't wanna sneak
around anymore.Copy !req
439. - I'm not breaking you up.
- No.Copy !req
440. I'm talking about actually seeing
more of Zoey. More time with her.Copy !req
441. Spent together. Being together.Copy !req
442. And such.Copy !req
443. Charlie . . .Copy !req
444. . . . the president's daughter
can't move in with somebody.Copy !req
445. - I assume you understand you cannot—
- Move in here.Copy !req
446. - Yes, sir. That had occurred to me.
- Then I'm sorry.Copy !req
447. I'm not quite sure what you . . . .Copy !req
448. Are you . . .Copy !req
449. . . . talking about . . .?Copy !req
450. - Yes, sir.
- You wanna make . . .Copy !req
451. - . . . an honest woman out of her?
- No, that's not it at all.Copy !req
452. We've been sleeping together
for kind of a while . . . .Copy !req
453. You might wanna consider
quitting while you're ahead.Copy !req
454. Yes, sir.Copy !req
455. Sir, would I have your blessing?Copy !req
456. I'm not the member of the family
you should be concerned about.Copy !req
457. Yes, sir. Thank you, Mr. President.Copy !req
458. Josh.Copy !req
459. - Probably not what you had in mind.
- It's exactly what we're worried about.Copy !req
460. People are always complaining about
how canned these conventions are.Copy !req
461. Not the people trying to use them
to put a clear message . . .Copy !req
462. - . . .in front of the American electorate.
- Good TV.Copy !req
463. It'll be entertaining.Copy !req
464. Professional wrestling is entertaining,
but when they click off the set . . .Copy !req
465. . . .no one runs out and votes
for the loudmouth in the leotard.Copy !req
466. Outside of Minnesota.Copy !req
467. You need to take the VP deal.Copy !req
468. - We're considering it.
- Not consider it, take it.Copy !req
469. The party, the president,
needs you to accept.Copy !req
470. - Yeah.
- Santos will be incurring the gratitude . . .Copy !req
471. . . . of a great many people, people who
can be very helpful to his future.Copy !req
472. - That future could be now.
- Three-term congressman against Vinick?Copy !req
473. Be careful what you wish for.Copy !req
474. I don't know that Russell
has a better shot.Copy !req
475. I don't either.Copy !req
476. But Russell goes down,
you want people in the party . . .Copy !req
477. . . . organizers, fundraisers, thinking
it was partly Matt Santos' fault?Copy !req
478. Long memories, Josh.
Big win for your guy.Copy !req
479. Four years from now,
he can run the table.Copy !req
480. You'd be doing him a favor.Copy !req
481. - The space walk?
- Unsuccessful.Copy !req
482. - How much oxygen it cost them?
- Couple hours. Could've been worse.Copy !req
483. Worse being a relative term
when it comes to slow suffocation.Copy !req
484. We have a decision to make.Copy !req
485. The security concerns
outweigh the consequences.Copy !req
486. It's presumably been launched
before without exposure.Copy !req
487. - This is a high-profile case—
- It would disclose the asset.Copy !req
488. But measured against
our responsibility toward three lives—Copy !req
489. - Two. Only two are Americans.
- Meaning what?Copy !req
490. Russian's life doesn't count?
Two are more expendable than three?Copy !req
491. - The cosmonaut would see the asset.
- Take pictures of it for all we know.Copy !req
492. Even without the camera,
cosmonauts are military.Copy !req
493. It'd be the intelligence coup
of the new century.Copy !req
494. I appreciate that. But wouldn't we
be revealing hardware . . .Copy !req
495. . . . everyone assumes we have?Copy !req
496. Maybe we should invite the Chinese
and the Russians over for a formal tour.Copy !req
497. Israelis and the Iranians can visit
each other's nuclear facilities.Copy !req
498. - Mr. Secretary.
- I can't help note the absence . . .Copy !req
499. - . . . of NASA to make the case for rescue.
- I don't need anyone to make it.Copy !req
500. I need more time.Copy !req
501. - Thank you, Mr. President.
- Thank you, sir.Copy !req
502. I appreciate that, senator.Copy !req
503. I'm giving it every consideration.Copy !req
504. Thank you for the call.Copy !req
505. Another voice for party unity.Copy !req
506. Yeah, the White House just
leaned on me pretty good.Copy !req
507. - Same extortionate undertone.
- I heard something on the way over.Copy !req
508. Source I have in Philadelphia.Copy !req
509. Russell's been talking to Baker.
As backup, we turn him down.Copy !req
510. - Thinks it flips Pennsylvania.
- It does flip Pennsylvania.Copy !req
511. One hundred and seventy-eight votes
swing from us to Russell.Copy !req
512. If the Hoynes delegates break
anywhere near even once released—Copy !req
513. It's game over.Copy !req
514. Smart. Smart.Copy !req
515. How come we're not that smart?Copy !req
516. You have to go sit down with Russell.Copy !req
517. And when you're in there,
you look for a way to tell him yes.Copy !req
518. - You okay?
- Yeah.Copy !req
519. Yeah. Just . . . .Copy !req
520. You know.Copy !req
521. - Night yips?
- Little bit.Copy !req
522. Because you've made
a decision or because you can't?Copy !req
523. Both.Copy !req
524. Neither.Copy !req
525. I bet Arnie Vinick
is sleeping like a rock.Copy !req
526. - I don't know. He's old.
- What?Copy !req
527. Old people don't sleep so good.Copy !req
528. Old people who have their party's
presidential nomination wrapped up . . .Copy !req
529. . . . and have a mortal lock on California
in the general. They sleep like the dead.Copy !req
530. But the prospect of sleeping
like the dead . . .Copy !req
531. . . .is part of what keeps
old people up nights.Copy !req
532. You ever stop to think that maybe
Vinick's up now, worried about you?Copy !req
533. I can guarantee you
that's not happening.Copy !req
534. Smart guy, young guy.Copy !req
535. - Good-Iooking too.
- Yeah.Copy !req
536. Let's see about helping
this troubled office-seeker . . .Copy !req
537. . . . get himself some sleep.Copy !req
538. - Morning.
- What do you do when he's just wrong?Copy !req
539. - You remind yourself he got elected.
- We could rescue these astronauts.Copy !req
540. He's got 295 million Americans
to think about, not just these three.Copy !req
541. Two are Americans.
Defense Secretary's made it clear . . .Copy !req
542. . . . if they offed the third,
he'd send it.Copy !req
543. Lovely affirmation of
international cooperation in space.Copy !req
544. We don't want Russia, China
building space bombers.Copy !req
545. They'll build them
if they assume we've got one.Copy !req
546. Even if they know,
they have to build it.Copy !req
547. - This is Alice in Wonderland.
- Yeah. Some days it is.Copy !req
548. - Quick. Hide the Ouija board.
- See, they can afford Ouija boards.Copy !req
549. - Josh has us reading chicken entrails.
- I'll tell the VP you're here.Copy !req
550. - We're very excited you've come.
- Excited to be here.Copy !req
551. It's exciting.Copy !req
552. Congressman, welcome.Copy !req
553. - Good of you to see me.
- Shall we?Copy !req
554. Remember, three feet
on the floor at all times.Copy !req
555. - Have a seat there.
- Thank you.Copy !req
556. Don't.Copy !req
557. Congratulations
on a well-fought campaign.Copy !req
558. You too.Copy !req
559. And hopefully, we're about
to put that all behind us.Copy !req
560. That's what we're here to discuss.Copy !req
561. Arnie Vinick is gonna be
a tough customer.Copy !req
562. We need to marshal all our strength.
I can't think of a better way . . .Copy !req
563. . . . than by having both
our names on the ticket.Copy !req
564. That's a good point.Copy !req
565. So you wanna flip a coin?Copy !req
566. That's a good one.Copy !req
567. In all seriousness, let me describe
the relationship I envision.Copy !req
568. A substantive role in policy,
strategic planning. A voice.Copy !req
569. A clear and palpable presence.Copy !req
570. More of a partnership, frankly,
than I've had with Jed Bartlet.Copy !req
571. - I'm flattered.
- You should be.Copy !req
572. It's not an offer, it's not the relationship
I'd envision with a lesser man.Copy !req
573. - You're capable and bright.
- You're very kind.Copy !req
574. I'm sure there's things
I can learn from you.Copy !req
575. Well. I don't . . . .Copy !req
576. Just as there are undoubtedly things
you could learn from me.Copy !req
577. Thank you, all. Josh.Copy !req
578. Mad at me?Copy !req
579. No.Copy !req
580. Oddly.Copy !req
581. Disappointed?Copy !req
582. Proud, I think.Copy !req
583. You've got a tough
conversation ahead.Copy !req
584. Not so tough.Copy !req
585. Yeah, I do.Copy !req
586. Ladies and gentlemen,
please welcome...Copy !req
587. the next president
of the United States, Arnold Vinick!Copy !req
588. Thank you.Copy !req
589. Thank you.Copy !req
590. We're gonna run out of prime time.Copy !req
591. It is with great humility
that I accept your nomination...Copy !req
592. for president of the United States.Copy !req
593. Before I share with you
my vision for America...Copy !req
594. I wanna say a few words about
the man who I hope is my predecessor...Copy !req
595. President Josiah Bartlet.Copy !req
596. He has graced and honored his office.Copy !req
597. The highest in the land.Copy !req
598. The most powerful in the world,
some would say. Myself included.Copy !req
599. He has served this country
steadfastly and laudably...Copy !req
600. and I say this despite our political
and philosophical differences.Copy !req
601. For in the end, a presidency
is more than a simple catalogue...Copy !req
602. of policies pursued, crises weathered,
battles lost or won.Copy !req
603. It's a stewardship, a sacred trust...Copy !req
604. a commitment to sacrifice
every fiber of your being...Copy !req
605. every thought, every moment,
every— Every everything...Copy !req
606. in service to your nation.Copy !req
607. President Bartlet has done this
well and ably...Copy !req
608. and he deserves nothing less
than our humble appreciation...Copy !req
609. and heartfelt gratitude.Copy !req
610. Nice what he said about you.Copy !req
611. Yeah. The bastard.Copy !req
612. He just picked up five million
Democratic votes.Copy !req
613. My commitment to strive to be worthy
of the example of the great men...Copy !req
614. who have gone before.Copy !req
615. Presidents walk in giant footsteps.Copy !req
616. They have magnificent legacies
to uphold.Copy !req
617. I stand here on this day
and put my name forth...Copy !req
618. as one who aspires
to their example...Copy !req
619. who will daily make that sacrifice.Copy !req
620. Who will honor not just the office,
but the people that office serves.Copy !req
621. Their president of these
United States of America.Copy !req
622. Arnold Vinick just positioned himself
as Jed Bartlet's natural successor.Copy !req
623. How'd he do that?Copy !req
624. Without one mention, without so much
as an allusion to either one . . .Copy !req
625. . . . he managed to dismiss Russell
and Santos as puny, dwarflike children . . .Copy !req
626. . . . trying to get a seat
at the grownups' table.Copy !req
627. Yeah.Copy !req
628. I'll send him right down.Copy !req
629. Josh is here to see you.Copy !req
630. We start working
to beat this guy right now.Copy !req
631. - Hey.
- Hey.Copy !req
632. - What . . .?
- Talk to Leo.Copy !req
633. Okay.Copy !req
634. Could have used you out there.Copy !req
635. Did okay without me.Copy !req
636. It's not the same.Copy !req
637. Good luck.Copy !req
638. Thanks.Copy !req
639. - Listen to Vinick?
- No.Copy !req
640. You're better off.Copy !req
641. Santos turned Russell down.Copy !req
642. Okay.Copy !req
643. - Okay?
- So now you get him to unturn it down.Copy !req
644. - Doesn't work like that.
- No, it does.Copy !req
645. - I told him to find a way to say yes.
- You find it for him.Copy !req
646. - You're not hearing me.
- You're not hearing me.Copy !req
647. Matthew Santos has had a terrific ride.
Improbable, impressive.Copy !req
648. And over.Copy !req
649. This is a return to reality.
He's Russell's vice president.Copy !req
650. - It's not gonna happen.
- You are gonna do this . . .Copy !req
651. . . . for us . . .Copy !req
652. . . . for the president.Copy !req
653. - For your party.
- I'm not. I don't agree with it.Copy !req
654. I told him to say yes. I was wrong.Copy !req
655. He's twice the man Russell is
on his best day.Copy !req
656. Ten times. And Russell
doesn't have that many best days.Copy !req
657. I'll go tell the president.Copy !req
658. - Toby.
- Okay.Copy !req
659. - Toby.
- Yeah. Okay.Copy !req
660. You have to quit
and then get rehired.Copy !req
661. - Leo wants you in California to—
- Greg Brock just released a story . . .Copy !req
662. . . . about a classified
military shuttle that could be . . .Copy !req
663. . . . sent up to rescue those astronauts.Copy !req
664. It's already on the website. It'll be on
the front page of the New York Times.Copy !req
665. To do this, Brock would have had
to assure them he had it cold . . .Copy !req
666. . . . which means whoever leaked it,
it's somebody big.Copy !req