History Awesome / TheWestWing

** Of particular note is that the acting throughout the episode is ''still'' topnotch, and the chemistry between the actors feels almost as if 15 years had not passed between the final season and 2020.
** Creator/SterlingKBrown, it must be said, despite having the unenviable task of replacing a beloved member in one of the greatest ensembles in television history, managed to not only keep up with the rest of the cast, but make the character his own, as a dignified, imposing, yet deeply compassionate Leo [=McGarry=], compared to the more down-to-earth performance by Creator/JohnSpencer.

* The HBO Max Special to benefit When We All Vote brought back almost all the original actors (Creator/JohnSpencer being notably replaced by Creator/SterlingKBrown) for a special stage performance of ''Hartsfield's Landing''. And when we say 'almost all', we mean ''almost all'', including supporting actors like Anna Deavere Smith as Nancy [=McNally=], Melissa Fitzgerald as Carol (CJ's assistant), Mindy Seeger, Timothy Davis-Reed, and Charles Noland as White House reporters Chris, Mark, and Steve respectively, Thomas Kopache as Assistant Secretary of State Bob Slattery, and Peter J. Smith and William Duffy as [[ThoseTwoGuys Ed and Larry]]. Despite Ainsley Hayes not appearing in the episode, Emily Proctor got a role as the narrator, Creator/ElisabethMoss (Zoey Bartlet) and Creator/MarleeMatlin (Joey Lucas) did segment on voting, and even ''Gail the goldfish'' makes an appearance.

* The HBO Max Special to benefit When We All Vote brought back almost all the original actors (Creator/JohnSpencer being notably replaced by Creator/SterlingKBrown) for a special stage performance of ''Hartsfield's Landing''. And when we say 'almost all', we mean ''almost all'', including supporting actors like Anna Deavere Smith as Nancy [=McNally=], Melissa Fitzgerald as Carol (CJ's assistant), Mindy Seeger, Timothy Davis-Reed, and Charles Noland as White House reporters Chris, Mark, and Steve respectively, Thomas Kopache as Assistant Secretary of State Bob Slattery, and Peter J. Smith and William Duffy as [[ThoseTwoGuys Ed and Larry]]. Despite Ainsley Hayes not appearing in the episode, Emily Proctor got a role as the narrator, Creator/ElisabethMoss (Zoey Bartlet) and Matlin (Joey Lucas) did segment on voting, and even ''Gail the goldfish'' makes an appearance.

* The HBO Max Special to benefit When We All Vote brought back almost all the original actors (Creator/JohnSpencer being notably replaced by Creator/SterlingKBrown) for a special stage performance of ''Hartsfield's Landing''. And when we say 'almost all', we mean ''almost all'', including supporting actors like Anna Deavere Smith as Nancy [=McNally=], Melissa Fitzgerald as Carol (CJ's assistant), Mindy Seeger, Timothy Davis-Reed, and Charles Noland as White House reporters Chris, Mark, and Steve respectively, Thomas Kopache as Assistant Secretary of State Bob Slattery, and Peter J. Smith and William Duffy as [[ThoseTwoGuys Ed and Larry]]. Despite Ainsley Hayes not appearing in the episode, Emily Proctor got a role as the narrator, and even ''Gail the goldfish'' makes an appearance.

* The HBO Max Special to benefit When We All Vote brought back almost all the original actors (Creator/JohnSpencer being notably replaced by Creator/SterlingKBrown) for a special stage performance of ''Hartsfield's Landing''. And when we say 'almost all', we mean ''almost all'', including supporting actors like Anna Deavere Smith as Nancy [=McNally=], Melissa Fitzgerald as Carol (CJ's assistant), Mindy Seeger, Timothy Davis-Reed, and Charles Noland as White House reporters Chris, Mark, and Steve respectively, Thomas Kopache as Assistant Secretary of State Bob Slattery, and Peter J. Smith and William Duffy as ThoseTwoGuys Ed and Larry. Emily Proctor got a role as the narrator, despite Ainsley Hayes not appearing in the episode, and even ''Gail the goldfish'' makes an appearance.
** Of particular note is that the acting throughout the episode is ''still' topnotch, and the chemistry between the actors feels almost as if 15 years had not even passed between the final season and 2020.
** Creator/SterlingKBrown, it must be said, despite having the unenviable task of replacing a beloved member in one of the greatest ensembles in television history, managed to not only keep up with the rest of the cast, but make the character his own, as a dignified, imposing, yet compassionate Leo [=McGarry=], compared to the more down-to-earth performance by Creator/JohnSpencer.

* The HBO Max Special to benefit When We All Vote brought back almost all the original actors (Creator/JohnSpencer being notably replaced by Creator/SterlingKBrown) for a special stage performance of ''Hartsfield's Landing''. And when we say 'almost all', we mean ''almost all'', including supporting actors like Anna Deavere Smith as Nancy [=McNally=], Melissa Fitzgerald as Carol (CJ's assistant), Mindy Seeger, Timothy Davis-Reed, and Charles Noland as White House reporters Chris, Mark, and Steve respectively, Thomas Kopache as Assistant Secretary of State Bob Slattery, and Peter J. Smith and William Duffy as ThoseTwoGuys Ed and Larry. Even Emily Proctor got a role as the narrator, despite Ainsley Hayes not appearing in the episode.

* The HBO Max Special to benefit When We All Vote brought back almost all the original actors (Creator/JohnSpencer being notably replaced by Creator/SterlingKBrown) for a special stage performance of "''Hartsfield's Landing''". And when we say 'almost all', we mean ''almost all'', including supporting actors like Anna Deavere Smith as Nancy [=McNally=], Melissa Fitzgerald as Carol (CJ's assistant), Mindy Seeger, Timothy Davis-Reed, and Charles Noland as White House reporters Chris, Mark, and Steve respectively, Thomas Kopache as Assistant Secretary of State Bob Slattery, and Peter J. Smith and William Duffy as ThoseTwoGuys Ed and Larry. Even Emily Proctor got a role as the narrator, despite Ainsley Hayes not appearing in the episode.

* The HBO Max Special to benefit When We All Vote brought back almost all the original actors (Creator/JohnSpencer being notably replaced by Creator/SterlingKBrown) for a special stage performance of "''Hartsfield's Landing''". And when we say 'almost all', we mean ''almost all'', including supporting actors like Anna Deavere Smith as Nancy McNally, Melissa Fitzgerald as Carol (CJ's assistant), Mindy Seeger, Timothy Davis-Reed, and Charles Noland as White House reporters Chris, Mark, and Steve respectively, Thomas Kopache as Assistant Secretary of State Bob Slattery, and Peter J. Smith and William Duffy as ThoseTwoGuys Ed and Larry. Even Emily Proctor got a role as the narrator, despite Ainsley Hayes not appearing in the episode.

* The fact that the real-life White House ''[[http://popwatch.ew.com/2015/01/16/the-west-wing-reunion-big-block-of-cheese-day/ is actually organizing a Big Block Of Cheese Day]]''.

--->'''Will Bailey''': Chuck Webb is a seven-term Congressman, who as chairman of not one but two Congress subcommittees, has taken money from companies he regulates. He's on the board of the NRA and once challenged another congressman to a fistfight on the floor over an amendment to make stalkers submit to background checks before buying AR-15s, AK-57s, streetsweepers, MAC-10s, MAC-11s. He has joined protests designed to frighten pregnant women.\\

--->'''C.J.''': I can take you home now.\\

** He goes on to verbally bitchslap a group of arrogant [[StrawCharacter Religious Right]] pundits, telling them how an extreme Christian group sent his granddaughter a doll with a knife stuck through its throat after she gave an interview discussing her views on abortion -
-->'''President Bartlet''': You'll denounce these people, Al. You'll do it publicly. And until you do, you can all get your fat asses out of my White House. CJ, show these people out.

-->''(After being distracted from his prepared speech by seeing her in the crowd at a talk radio reception)''
-->'''Bartlet''': Forgive me, Dr. Jacobs. [[MDEnvy Are you an M.D.?]]
-->'''Jacobs''': Ph.D.
-->'''Bartlet''': In Psychology? ... Theology? ... Social work?
-->'''Jacobs''': I have a [[NotThatKindOfDoctor Ph.D. in English Literature.]]
-->'''Bartlet''': I'm asking, 'cause on your show, people call in for advice and you go by the name Dr. Jacobs on your show. And I didn't know if maybe your listeners were confused by that, and assumed you had advanced training in Psychology, Theology, or health care.
-->'''Jacobs''': I don't believe they are confused, no sir.
-->'''Bartlet''': Good. I like your show. I like how you call homosexuality an "abomination."
-->'''Jacobs''': I don't say homosexuality is an abomination, Mr. President. The Bible does.
-->'''Bartlet''': Yes it does. Leviticus.
-->'''Jacobs''': 18:22.
-->'''Bartlet''': Chapter and verse. I wanted to ask you a couple of questions while I had you here. I'm interested in selling my youngest daughter into slavery, as sanctioned in Exodus 21:7. She's a Georgetown sophomore, speaks fluent Italian, always cleared the table when it was her turn. What would a good price for her be? (Pause) While thinking about that, can I ask another? My chief of staff, Leo [=McGarry=], insists on working on the Sabbath. Exodus 35:2 clearly says he should be put to death. Am I morally obligated to kill him myself, or is it okay to call the police? Here's one that's really important, because we've got a lot of sports fans in this town. Touching the skin of a dead pig makes one unclean. Leviticus 11:7. If they promise to wear gloves, can the Washington Redskins still play football? Can Notre Dame? Can West Point? Does the whole town really have to be together to stone my brother John for planting different crops side by side? Can I burn my mother in a small family gathering for wearing garments made from two different threads? Think about those questions, would you? One last thing. While you may be mistaking this for your monthly meeting of the Ignorant Tight-Ass Club, [[WhereDoYouThinkYouAre in this building]] when the president stands, ''nobody'' sits.\\

--> '''Ritchie''': Crime. Boy, I don't know.
--> ''Bartlet pauses before returning to the subject of the campaign''
--> '''Bartlet''': We should have a great debate, Rob. We owe it to everyone. When I was running as a governor, I didn't know anything. I made them start Bartlet college in my dining room. Two hours every morning on foreign affairs and the military. You can do that.
--> '''Ritchie''': How many different ways you think you're gonna find to call me dumb?
--> '''Bartlet''': I wasn't, Rob. But you've turned being un-engaged into a Zen-like thing, and you shouldn't enjoy it so much is all, and if it appears at times as if I don't like you, that's the only reason why.
--> '''Ritchie''': (Offended) You're what my friends call a superior sumbitch. You're an academic elitist, and a snob. You're, uh, Hollywood, you're weak, you're liberal, and you can't be trusted. And if it appears from time to time as if I don't like you, well, those are just a few of the many reasons ''why''.
--> ''Bartlet seems to brush this off, and gets up when he hears the music signaling the end of the break. At the door, he turns to Ritchie:''
--> '''Bartlet''': In the future, if you're wondering, "Crime. Boy, I don't know" is when I decided to kick your ass.

---> "Today for the first time in history, the largest group of Americans living in poverty are children. 1 in 5 children live in the most abject, dangerous, hopeless, back-breaking, gut-wrenching poverty any of us could imagine. 1 in 5, and they're children. If fidelity to freedom of democracy is the code of our civic religion then surely the code of our humanity is faithful service to that unwritten commandment that says we shall give our children better than we ourselves received. Let me put it this way: I voted against the bill because I didn't want to make it harder for people to buy milk. I stopped some money from flowing into your pocket. If that angers you, if you resent me, I completely respect that. But if you expect anything different from the President of the United States, you should vote for someone else."

--> '''Bruno Gianelli''': When did you write that last part?\\

-->'''Will Bailey''': Chuck Webb is a seven-term Congressman, who as chairman of not one but two Congress subcommittees, has taken money from companies he regulates. He's on the board of the NRA and once challenged another congressman to a fistfight on the floor over an amendment to make stalkers submit to background checks before buying AR-15s, AK-57s, streetsweepers, MAC-10s, MAC-11s. He has joined protests designed to frighten pregnant women.\\

*
Matt later gets called into a black church, after a black kid got shot and killed by carrying a plastic M16 in public by a cop. On top of that, the cop in question is Hispanic as well, making Santos look like a fool for trying to win the black vote with these people. Half the church, including the pastor, dislike him already because he's disrupting their society just by showing up. Santos himself expressed doubt that he could pull this off because there was no clear winner in this scenario and no one knows who to blame for this. Finally, at the church, when he gives his speech, Santos finds the right angle: He blames ''everybody''. The kid for carrying a toy gun in public, the cop for shooting him and the black community for ''thinking'' that things can get better instead of ''working'' to make things better. If they want things to get better, it's no good talking and thinking and praying, no, they have to work at it since that's the only way to prevent disasters like this again. The whole church is singing praises as he leaves the church building.

-->'''C.J.''': I can take you home now.\\

'''Charlie''': This is Miss Cregg. She's the White House Press Secretary and senior counselor to the President. And if she wasn't, she would ''still'' be Miss Cregg. I don't mind your not respecting people. I mind your doing it out loud. I mind your doing it in this building. You want to be a punk, fine. But I don't think you've got the size for it. You want to go to juvy, get out, deal and kill cops, ok. But every time you do a crime, you get caught. So I think you're gonna have to do something else. Nine o'clock on Saturday mornings, I eat breakfast at Cosmo's on Delaware. I come here for an hour, do office work, and then I go to St. Jude's for an hour to play basketball. You can go to juvy, or you can be at Cosmo's, nine o'clock on Saturday morning. It's entirely up to you.\\

* Matt later gets called into a black church, after a black kid got shot and killed by a cop for stealing a car with a ''fake'' gun. On top of that, the cop in question is Hispanic as well, making Santos look like a fool for trying to win the black vote with these people. Half the church, including the pastor, dislike him already because he's disrupting their society just by showing up. Santos himself expressed doubt that he could pull this off because there was no clear winner in this scenario and no one knows who to blame for this. Finally, at the church, when he gives his speech, Santos finds the right angle: that everyone can be blamed. But that's not the point. What is ''important'' is '''compassion'''. Not blame, because all that will do is tear down everything that's been accomplished by civil rights movement and everything before and after it. It will not help those who remain, it will not solve the problems of the world.''Compassion'' is the way forward, not blame. By the end, the congregation is on his side 100%.

* Matt later gets called into a black church, after a black kid got shot and killed by carrying a plastic M16 in public by a cop. On top of that, the cop in question is Hispanic as well, making Santos look like a fool for trying to win the black vote with these people. Half the church, including the pastor, dislike him already because he's disrupting their society just by showing up. Santos himself expressed doubt that he could pull this off because there was no clear winner in this scenario and no one knows who to blame for this. Finally, at the church, when he gives his speech, Santos finds the right angle: that everyone can be blamed. But that's not the point. What is ''important'' is '''compassion'''. Not blame, because all that will do is tear down everything that's been accomplished by civil rights movement and everything before and after it. That ''compassion'' is the way forward, not blame. By the end, the congregation is on his side 100%.

* Matt later gets called into a black church, after a black kid got shot and killed by carrying a plastic M16 in public by a cop. On top of that, the cop in question is Hispanic as well, making Santos look like a fool for trying to win the black vote with these people. Half the church, including the pastor, dislike him already because he's disrupting their society just by showing up. Santos himself expressed doubt that he could pull this off because there was no clear winner in this scenario and no one knows who to blame for this. Finally, at the church, when he gives his speech, Santos finds the right angle: He blames ''everybody''. The kid for carrying a toy gun in public, the cop for shooting him and the black community for ''thinking'' that things can get better instead of ''working'' to make things better. If they want things to get better, it's no good talking and thinking and praying, no, they have to work at it since that's the only way to prevent disasters like this again. The whole church is singing praises as he leaves the church.

--> '''President Bartlet''': Three swimmers from the men's team were killed, and two others are in critical condition, when, after having heard the explosion from their practice facility, they ran into the fire to help get people out. Ran into the fire. The streets of heaven are too crowded with angels tonight. They're our students and our teachers and our parents and our friends. The streets of heaven are too crowded with angels, but every time we think we have measured our capacity to meet a challenge, we look up and we're reminded that that capacity may well be limitless. This is a time for American heroes. We will do what is hard. We will achieve what is great. This is a time for American heroes and we reach for the stars.
** Cut to the car with Bruno and Sam:

'''Sam Seaborn''': In the car.\\
'''Bruno Gianelli''': Freak.

* Sam Seaborne is arguing with the newly-hired White House Associate Counsel, Ainsley Hayes, who happens to be a hardcore conservative Republican, over the general policy of the president, and follows her to her office. There, both he and Hayes find a bouquet of dead flowers (and a card which calls her a ''very'' nasty word). Realizing immediately who sent the bouquet, Sam rushes to confront them, defending a woman he constantly disagrees with, and doesn't even ''like'', because it's the right thing to do.

-->'''President Bartlet''': First, let's clear up a couple of things. "Unfunded mandate" is two words, not one big word. There are times when we're 50 states. And there are times when we're one country and have national needs. The way I know this, is that Florida didn't fight Germany in World War II or establish civil rights. You think states should do the governing wall-to-wall. That's a perfectly valid opinion. But your state of Florida got $ 12.6 billion in federal money last year, from Nebraskans and Virginians and New Yorkers and Alaskans with their Eskimo poetry. ''Twelve-point-six'', out of a state budget of 50 billion. And I'm supposed to be using this time for a question, so here it is: Can we have it back, please?

--> '''Sam Seaborn''': And then, that morning at 3:10, my phone rings, and it's Toby Ziegler. He says, "Don't you get it? It's a ''gift'' that they're irreversibly convinced that he's arrogant. 'Cause now ''he can be''."

--> '''Leo:''' And do you think ratcheting up the body count is going to act as a deterrent?
--> '''Bartlet:''' You're damn right I do!
--> '''Leo:''' (scoffing) Oh, well then you're just as stupid as these guys who think that capital punishment is going to be a deterrent for drug kingpins. As if drug kingpins didn't live their day-to-day lives under the possibility of execution. And their executions are a lot less dainty than ours, and tend to take place without the bother and expense of due process. So, my friend, if you want to start using American military strength as the ''arm of the Lord''...you can do that. We're the only superpower left. You can conquer the world, like Charlemagne. But you'd better be prepared to kill everyone...and you had better start with me because I will raise up an army against you and ''*I*'' will beat you.

-->'''Charlie''': "...affirmative action's about a legacy of racial oppression."
-->'''Justice Mulready''': "It's about compromising admissions standards."
-->'''Charlie''': "That's bull- Excuse me. It's about leveling the playing field after 300 years-"
-->'''Justice Mulready''': "See, this is where the liberal argument goes off the rails. You get stuck in the past. Now, you want to come back at me with: Grading is based on past performance, but admission should be based on potential and how a candidate may thrive with this sort of opportunity. And studies show that affirmative action admits have a higher disposition to contribute to society."
-->'''Charlie''': "Hang on, I've got to write this down."

--->'''Charlie''': They're saying I owe the federal government money?
--->'''President Bartlet''': And you don't even need a stamp. Hand it over.
--->'''Charlie''': There's a mistake.
--->'''President Bartlet''': Whatever. Cough it up.

-->'''C.J.''': I changed my clothes because I didn't think it was appropriate to talk about the death of two teenagers while wearing a ball gown, and you knew that. Because you're stupid, but you're ''not'' stupid, you know what I'm saying? Security's going to take your press credentials. You'll call my office every day and I'll decide if you get into the room. I'm taking your spot on Pebble Beach. You can do your stand-ups from Lafayette Park.
-->'''Sherri''': Who the hell...
-->'''C.J.''': One more word out of your mouth and every local station in town but yours gets an exclusive with the President. Hunting season on me is over.
-->'''Sherri''': *purses her lips and stomps away*
-->'''C.J.''': And the chemical abbreviation for table salt is [=NaCl=].

-->'''C.J.:''' You know what? I've spent the last 14 hours being snickered at by United States senators, being ostracised on the World Wide Web, having my own colleagues question my ability to do my job. And I let it get to me. So I don't think it really matters whether I'm gay or straight or the best women's basketball player in Ohio Valley history. No one should be treated this way.
-->'''Reporter:''' You didn't answer the question.
--> '''C.J.:''' That's right, because it's none of your business.

--> '''Toby:''' We need to talk about the asymmetry of question six.
--> '''C.J.:''' We really don't.
--> '''Toby:''' Since when are you an expert on language?
--> '''C.J.:''' In polling models?
--> '''Toby:''' OK
--> '''C.J.:''' [[RhetoricalQuestionBlunder 1993]]. Since when are you an uptight pain in the ass?
--> '''Toby:''' [immediately contrite] Since long before that.

-->'''Leo''': You think ratcheting up the body count's gonna act as a deterrent?
-->'''President Bartlet''': You're damn right I...
-->'''Leo''': Then you are just as stupid as these guys who think capital punishment is going to be a deterrent for drug kingpins. As if drug kingpins didn't live their day to day lives under the possibility of execution, and their executions are a lot less dainty than ours and tend to take place without the bother and expense of due process. So, my friend, if you want to start using American military strength as ''the arm of the Lord''... you can do that. We're the only superpower left. You can conquer the world, like Charlemagne. But you better be prepared to kill everyone. And you better start with me, because I will raise up an army against you and ''I'' will beat you.

--> '''Sam''': I'm just saying you're probably rocked back from your meeting last week.
--> '''Josh''': A little.
--> '''Sam''': They threatened you ... They made you feel powerless and you're a little off your game. A little gun shy.
--> (Josh's assistant hands him the phone)
--> '''Toby''': Josh, if you need us, we're standing right here.
--> '''Josh''': Hi Senator, why don't you take your legislative agenda and shove it up your ass? ''hangs up'''
--> '''Crowd''' (reacting to the President's speech): ''wild applause''
--> '''Josh''': Turns out I was fine. ''nonchalantly tosses the phone to Donna''

-->'''C.J.''': Do you know about the Secret Service investigating Coles for threatening the president?
-->'''Toby''': [''innocently''] No...
-->'''C.J.''': Maggie Greenwald is quoting you as saying they investigate all threats made against the president, and it's White House policy not to comment.
-->'''Toby''': Yeah...
-->'''C.J.''': [''grinning''] Did you say that?
-->'''Toby''': Yeah. [''as if this has just struck him''] Hey, you don't suppose that's how the story got started? [''Beat''] You know what, C.J., you tell Bert Coles that Toby Ziegler said there's a new sheriff in town.

-->'''Bartlet:''' (Wondering why Toby is arranging a funeral) What’s going on?
-->'''Toby:''' A homeless man died last night; a Korean War veteran, who was wearing a coat that I gave to the Goodwill. It had my card in it.
-->'''Bartlet:''' Toby, you’re not responsible for …
-->'''Toby:''' An hour and twenty minutes for the ambulance to get there. A Lance Corporal, United States Marine Corps, Second of the Seventh. The guy got better treatment at Panmunjom.
-->'''Bartlet:''' Toby, if we start pulling strings like this, you don’t think every homeless veteran would come out of the woodworks?
-->'''Toby:''' I can only hope, sir.

-->'''Bartlet:''' What's on your mind?
-->'''Toby:''' The era of big government is over.
-->'''Bartlet:''' You want to cut the line?
-->'''Toby:''' I want to change the sentiment. [pause] We're running away from ourselves and I know we can score points that way, I was a principal architect of that campaign strategy right along with you, Josh. But we're here now, tomorrow night we do an immense thing; we have to say what we feel, that government, no matter what it's failures in the past and in times to come for that matter, government can be a place where people come together and where no one gets left behind. No one...gets left behind. An instrument of good.

-->'''Bartlet:''' Toby's concerned that the peaceful solution I brokered in Kashmir last year was the result of a drug-induced haze.
-->'''Leo:''' I was there with him. So was Fitz. So was Cashman, Hutchinson, Berryhill...
-->'''Toby:''' Well, that's fantastic.
-->'''Leo:''' Toby.
-->'''Toby:''' None of you were ''elected!''
-->'''Bartlet:''' I was elected, they were appointed. The Vice President was elected. He has the constitutional authority to assume my--
-->'''Toby:''' Not last May. He didn't last May when you were under general anesthesia.
-->'''Bartlet:''' That's because I never signed the letter, but I don't think I got shot because I got MS.
-->'''Toby:''' No, I don't think you did either, sir. I meant that during a night of extreme chaos and fear when we didn't yet know if we'd been the victims of domestic or foreign terrorism, or even an act of war, there was uncertainty as to who was giving the national security orders, and it was because you never signed the letter. So I'm led to wonder, given your condition and it’s lack of predictability why there isn't simply a signed letter sitting in a file someplace. And the answer, of course, is that [chuckles] if there was a-a signed letter sitting in a file someplace, somebody would ask why. The Commander in Chief had just been attacked, he was under a general anesthetic, a fugitive was at large, the manhunt included every federal state and local law enforcement agency. The Virginia, Maryland, New Jersey, Pennsylvania and Delaware National Guard units were federalized. The KH-10s showed Republican Guard movement in southern Iraq. And 12 hours earlier an F-117 was shot down in the no-fly, and the Vice President's authority was ''murky at best.'' The National Security Advisor and the Secretary of State didn't know who they were taking their orders from. I wasn't in the Situation Room that night, but I'll bet all the money in my pockets against all the money in your pockets that it was Leo. Who ''no one'' elected! For 90 minutes that night, there was a coup d'état in this country.

-->'''Sam''': In 1787, there was a sizable block of delegates who were initially opposed to the Bill of Rights. This is what a member of the Georgia delegation had to say by way of opposition; 'If we list a set of rights, some fools in the future are going to claim that people are entitled only to those rights enumerated and no others.' So the Framers knew...
-->'''Harrison''': Were you just calling me a fool, Mr. Seaborn?
-->'''Sam''': I wasn't calling you a fool, sir. The brand new state of Georgia was.

[''He grabs Steve Joyce's desk blotter, dashing everything on it to the floor, and begins writing on it with a red marker'']
-->'''Steve Joyce:''' SAM!
-->'''Sam Seaborn:''' Do you have any idea how big a harassment suit you just exposed us to? She just...she works here. Which is more than I can say for either one of you.\\

Cut to the car with Bruno and Sam:
--> '''Bruno Gianelli''': When did you write that last part?
-->'''Sam Seaborn''': In the car.
-->'''Bruno Gianelli''': Freak.

* "Ever see Arnie Vinick campaign? Up close? He'll go into those high school gymnasiums in Iowa and New Hampshire and blow them all away. Shake every hand in the joint, kiss every baby, hug every widow on Social Security, and sound smarter and more honest than any Republican they've ever seen... because he is. He could win in the early states. Pick up the South with some momentum. Then... who knows what happens?" That this is said isn't what makes this boast about Arnie Vinick awesome. What makes it awesome is the fact that '''Leo McGarry''' is making this boast about a Republican who's running for president.

-->'''Cliff Calley''': That's where you're going with this?
-->'''Rep. Darren Gibson''': Yeah.
-->'''Cliff Calley''': Just to embarrass the guy.
-->'''Rep. Darren Gibson''': Just?
-->'''Cliff Calley''': Leo [=McGarry's=] sobriety isn't the subject of these hearings. These hearings are to investigate if any rules, ethical or otherwise, were broken by Jed Bartlet while he was running for President.
-->'''Rep. Darren Gibson''': That's nice, but I live in the actual world, where the object of these hearings is to win.
-->'''Cliff Calley''': No, it's not.
-->'''Rep. Darren Gibson''': It's the object of the majority.
-->'''Cliff Calley''': Not while I'm the majority counsel it's not; this is bush league. This is why good people hate us, this, right here, this thing... And if you proceed with this line of questioning, I will resign this committee and wait in the tall grass for you Congressman, because you are killing the party.

--> '''Toby''': That window's a game-day player.
--> (later)
--> '''Josh''': [Will's] really that invested in this? *shatter*

-->'''Will Bailey''': Chuck Webb is a seven-term Congressman, who as chairman of not one but two Congress subcommittees, has taken money from companies he regulates. He's on the board of the NRA and once challenged another congressman to a fistfight on the floor over an amendment to make stalkers submit to background checks before buying AR-15s, AK-57s, streetsweepers, MAC-10s, MAC-11s. He has joined protests designed to frighten pregnant women.
-->'''Reporter''': What's your point?
-->'''Will Bailey''': There are worse things in the world than no longer being alive.

-->'''Man''': Did you meet anyone there who isn't worthless?
-->'''Ainsley''': Don't say that.
-->'''Man''': Did you meet anyone there who has any - ?
-->'''Ainsley''': I said don't say that. Say they're smug and superior. Say their approach to public policy makes you want to tear your hair out. Say they like high taxes and spending your money. Say they want to take your guns and open your borders, but don't call them worthless. At least don't do it in front of me. The people that I have met have been extraordinarily qualified. Their intent is good, and their commitment is true. They are righteous, and they are patriots. And ''I'm their lawyer.''

-->'''Sam''': How can you have an objection to something that says-
-->'''Ainsley''': Because it's humiliating! A new amendment we vote on declaring that I am equal under the law to a man? I am mortified to discover there's reason to believe I ''wasn't'' before! I am a citizen of ''this'' country; I am not a special subset in need of your protection. I do not have to have my rights handed down to me by a bunch of old white men. The same Article 14 that protects you protects me, and I went to law school ''just to make sure''. And with that: I'm going back down to the mess, because I thought I may have seen there... a peach.

--> '''President Bartlet''': Where's Charlie?
--> '''Leo''': He's somewhere in the building.
--> '''Ron Butterfield''': We're holding people where they are right now.
--> '''Bartlet''': But if he's heard what happened he's gonna be trying to get here.
--> '''Butterfield''': We've got to hold everyone for a moment so we can secure the -
--> '''Bartlet''': No, I'm telling you that if Charlie heard there were bullets he's gonna overpower whoever's trying to -
--> [Charlie bursts in.]
--> '''Charlie''': Sorry, Mr. President.

--> '''C.J.''': I can take you home now.
--> '''Anthony''': [under his breath] I don't need a babysitter.
--> [Charlie passes by on his way somewhere.]
--> '''C.J.''': I'm sorry?
--> '''Anthony''': I said I don't need a babysitter, bitch. Are you deaf?
--> [Charlie turns around.]
--> '''C.J.''': [timid] Well, I don't think you do need a babysitter, I-
--> [Without stopping, Charlie grabs Anthony by the collar and pins him against the wall.]
--> '''Anthony''': Yo, what the hell's the matter with you, dog?!
--> '''Charlie''': This is Miss Cregg. She's the White House Press Secretary and senior counselor to the President. And if she wasn't, she would ''still'' be Miss Cregg. I don't mind your not respecting people. I mind your doing it out loud. I mind your doing it in this building. You want to be a punk, fine. But I don't think you've got the size for it. You want to go to juvy, get out, deal and kill cops, ok. But every time you do a crime, you get caught. So I think you're gonna have to do something else. Nine o'clock on Saturday mornings, I eat breakfast at Cosmo's on Delaware. I come here for an hour, do office work, and then I go to St. Jude's for an hour to play basketball. You can go to juvy, or you can be at Cosmo's, nine o'clock on Saturday morning. It's entirely up to you.
--> [Charlie turns and walks away.]

-->'''Ken Cochran:''' I'm sorry to do this, but I'd like to speak to your supervisor.
-->'''Charlie Young:''' ...Well, I'm personal aide to the President, so my supervisor's a little busy right now looking for a back door to this place to shove you out of. But, I'll let him know you'd like to lodge a complaint.

-->'''Donna:''' [[OnlySaneEmployee That's it. I've had enough]].
-->'''Toby:''' He started it.
-->'''Donna:''' I am not kidding. I have such an impulse to knock your heads together. I can't remember the last time I heard you two talk about anything other than how a campaign was playing in Washington. Cathy needed to take a second job so her dad could be covered by her insurance. She tried to tell you how bad things were for family farmers. You told her we already lost Indiana. You made fun of the fair but you didn't see they have livestock exhibitions and give prizes for the biggest tomato and the best heirloom apple. They're proud of what they grow. Eight modes of transportation, the kindness of six strangers, random conversations with twelve more, and nobody brought up Bartlet versus Ritchie but you. ''<{{Beat}}>'' [[DueToTheDead I'm writing letters, on your behalf, to the parents of the kids who were killed today. Can I have the table, please]]?

--> '''Major Tate:''' Sir, we're not prejudiced toward homosexuals.
--> '''Admiral Percy Fitzwallace:''' You just don't want to see them serving in the Armed Forces?
--> '''Major Tate:''' No sir, I don't.
--> '''Admiral Percy Fitzwallace:''' 'Cause they impose a threat to unit discipline and cohesion.
--> '''Major Tate:''' Yes, sir.
--> '''Admiral Percy Fitzwallace:''' That's what I think, too. I also think the military wasn't designed to be an instrument of social change.
--> '''Major Tate:''' Yes, sir.
--> '''Admiral Percy Fitzwallace:''' The problem with that is that's what they were saying about me 50 years ago. Blacks shouldn't serve with whites. It would disrupt the unit. You know what? It did disrupt the unit. The unit got over it. The unit changed. I'm an admiral in the United States Navy and chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff... Beat that with a stick.

-->'''Leo:''' Do you have any problem with a young black man waiting on the president?
-->'''Fitzwallace:''' I'm an old black man and I wait on the president.
-->'''Leo:''' The kid's gotta carry his bags and-
-->'''Fitzwallace:''' You gonna pay him a decent wage?
-->'''Leo:''' Yeah.
-->'''Fitzwallace:''' You gonna treat him with respect in the work place?
-->'''Leo:''' Yeah.
-->'''Fitzwallace:''' Then why the hell should I care?
-->'''Leo:''' That's what I thought.
-->'''Fitzwallace:''' I got some real honest-to-God battles to fight, Leo, I don't have time for the cosmetic ones.

-->'''Abbey''': [''smiling nervously''] Oh God. Alana Waterman is about to zatz me on fair pay. Save me, would you?
-->'''Amy''': You want me to?
-->'''Abbey''': Please.\\
[''Alana has made it over. Abbey fakes being happy to see her. They shake hands.'']
-->'''Alana''': Abbey, you were charming.
-->'''Abbey''': It's good to see you, Alana.
-->'''Alana''': I'm not sure if you saw my op/ed this morning..
-->'''Abbey''': I did!
-->'''Amy''': [''quietly''] Me too.
-->'''Alana''': [''ignoring her''] Well, what I wanted to say was...
-->'''Amy''': [''interrupting''] I thought it was terrific, if that counts for anything.
-->'''Alana''': Thank you. [''to Abbey''] Obviously...
-->'''Amy''': And courageous.
-->'''Alana''': I'm sorry?
-->'''Amy''': I say, I thought it was courageous. Because the leadership wanted fair pay done quietly, so it didn't become necessary for the moderate Republicans to make it a symbol of left-wing overreaching. Not like the President doesn't have enough problems, but you said, "Screw the leadership." And I think that's courageous. Ironically, I have a hunch that the first lady could have been brought on board fair pay if she had been lobbied more, what's the word, more, you know, ''professionally''. Rather than being embarrassed in this morning's newspaper. [''Beat, smirking''] Alana.
-->'''Alana''': [''agonised pause; to Abbey''] Lovely remarks today, Ma'am. That's all I came over to say.
-->'''Abbey''': Thank you.\\
[''Alana leaves. Abbey turns to Amy with a look that says "What the *@!& was that?"'']
-->'''Amy''': You said, "Save me."
-->'''Abbey''': I meant...walk me to the other side of the room, or something!
-->'''Amy''': ...Oh.

-->'''CJ''': (in voiceover) If you ever have a free two hours and are so inclined, try standing up without leaning on anything and talking the whole time. You won't make it. I wouldn't make it. Stackhouse wasn't supposed to last 15 minutes. He's 78 years old. He has a head cold. This bill is going to pass. Well, somebody forgot to tell Stackhouse, Dad, cause he just went into hour number eight.
-->''[later]''
-->'''CJ''': Tonight, I've seen a man with no legs stay standing, Dad, and a guy with no voice keep shouting. And if politics brings out the worst in people, maybe people bring out the best. Because I'm looking at the TV right now, and damn if 28 U.S. senators haven't just walked onto the floor to help.

--> [Some obnoxious dudes are harassing Zoe and insulting Charlie and Sam]
-->'''Josh:''' [obviously fake cheer] How's everybody doin'?
-->'''Frat Boy:''' Oh look, more fairy boys!
-->'''Josh:''' What? Oh, this is too good to be true. Yeah, uh, you guys don't realise it, but you're having a pretty bad night.
-->'''Frat Boy:''' Oh really? And who's going to give it to us, huh?
-->[Three Secret Service guys bust through the door with drawn guns and badges]: Federal agents!

'''President Bartlet''' (entering): "I am the Lord your God, thou shalt worship no other God before me."
** Don't forget his followup: "Boy those were the days."

* Walken, a lifelong Republican, is sworn into office after Zoey is kidnapped, and Bartlet fears he is no longer able to make rational decisions. Despite fears that handing the reins of the country to the opposition, Walken proves himself to be every bit as responsible and brilliant as Bartlet, managing the crisis with a firm, resolute hand. He stands behind the previous administrations decisions, refuses to negotiate with the terrorists, yet prioritizes the search and safe return of Zoey Bartlet at all costs. As Josh himself points out, he looks presidential.

!Steve Atwood
* In "The Dogs of War," which occurs after Bartlett has temporarily resigned the Office of the President, Steve Atwood becomes the new Chief of Staff for Glenallen Walken. When Josh (who's spent the entire crisis complaining and predicting that the Republican Party will use their temporary control of the executive branch to pass legislation they want) hears that Atwood gave a quote to the ''New York Times'', he storms into the office and makes his feelings clear. Atwood [[TheReasonYouSuckSpeech takes Josh down with a speech]] pointing out that the entire Republican Party has nothing but ''respect'' for Bartlett's decision, and that only someone completely morally bankrupt would ever consider using the "opportunity" (which, he points out, is itself a horribly cynical take on the situation) to make political hay. It's another example of the show's message of "politicians as people," and that while they disagree, Republicans and Democrats are still always ''human.''

** This example, by the way, is [[EstablishingCharacterMoment his very first appearance in the series]]. The original premise of the sshow was that the President would only appear a few times throughout the season with the focus being on the Senior Staff. Martin Sheen was so good during this scene the producers immediately decided that Bartlet had to be a regular character.

-->'''John Van Dyke''': Then what is the first commandment?
-->'''President Bartlet''' (entering): "I am the Lord your God, thou shalt worship no other God before me."

** This example, by the way, is [[EstablishingCharacterMoment his very first appearance in the series]]. Just sayin'.

--> '''Bartlet''': [[FirstNameUltimatum Josh.]]
--> ''Josh turns and stands by the door.''
--> '''Bartlet''': '[[OpenMouthInsertFoot Too busy being indicted for tax fraud]]'?
--> ''Josh sighs and waits to be fired.''
--> '''Bartlet''': [[AFatherToHisMen Don't ever do it again.]]
--> '''Josh''': Yes, sir.

* The scene in "Two Cathedrals" when, standing alone in the National Cathedral after [[spoiler: Mrs. Landingham's funeral]], he bitterly condemns ''[[SmiteMeOhMightySmiter God himself]]'' in untranslated, unsubtitled Latin.
-->'''Bartlet''': You're a son of a bitch, you know that? She bought her first new car and you hit her with a drunk driver. What, was that supposed to be funny? "You can't conceive, nor can I, of the appalling strangeness of the mercy of God", says Graham Greene. I don't know whose ass he was kissing there, because I think you're just vindictive. What was Josh Lyman, a warning shot? That was my ''son''. What did I ever do to yours but praise his glory and praise his name? There's a tropical storm that's gaining speed and power. They say we haven't had a storm this bad since you took out that tender ship of mine in the North Atlantic last year. 68 crew. You know what a tender ship does? It fixes the other ships, doesn't even carry guns. Just goes around, fixes other ships and delivers the mail. That's all it ''can'' do. ''Gratias, tibi ago, Domine.'' [[labelnote: Translation]] Thank you so much, Lord.[[/labelnote]] Yes, I lied! It was a sin, and I've committed many sins. Have I displeased you, you feckless thug?! 3.8 million new jobs, that wasn't good? Increased foreign trade, bailed out Mexico, 30 million new acres of land for conservation, put Mendoza on the bench, we're not fighting a war, I've raised three children and that's not enough to buy me out of the doghouse?! ''Haec credam a Deo pio? A Deo iusto? A Deo scito? Cruciatus in crucem! Tuus in terra servus, nuntius fui! Officium perfeci! Cruciatus in crucem - eas in crucem!'' [[labelnote: Translation]] Are these the acts of a loving God? A just God? A wise God? To hell with your punishments! I was your servant here on Earth, and I spread your word and did your works! To hell with your punishments - go crucify yourself![[/labelnote]] ''(stops at the altar, pulls out a cigarette, lights it, takes one defiant puff, and stubs it out inside the National Cathedral)'' You get Hoynes.

* Matt later gets called in to a town with a black church, after a black kid got shot and killed by carrying a plastic M16 in public by a cop. On top of that, the cop in question is Hispanic as well, making Santos look like a fool for trying to win the black vote with these people. Half the church, including the pastor, dislike him already because he's disrupting their society just by showing up. Santos himself expressed doubt that he could pull this off because there was no clear winner in this scenario and no one knows who to blame for this. Finally, at the church, when he gives his speech, Santos finds the right angle: He blames ''everybody''. The kid for carrying a toy gun in public, the cop for shooting him and the black community for ''thinking'' that things can get better instead of ''working'' to make things better. If they want things to get better, it's no good talking and thinking and praying, no, they have to work at it since that's the only way to prevent disasters like this again. The whole church is singing praises as he leaves the church.

*** Which leads to Lionel Tribbey getting his own moment of awesome after they protest.
--->'''Lionel Tribbey:''' Oh yes, he can. Leave here, and don't ''ever'' come back.

* In the same episode, Bartlet orders that they come up with [[DisproportionateRetribution "a disproportionate response,"]] and I quote, that they "spend the next 60 minutes thinking up an American response scenario that doesn't make [Bartlet] think they're just docking somebody's damn allowance". What do they do? ''[[BeCarefulWhatYouWishFor They actually do it]].'' They draw up a scenario that targets Hassan airport, which has thousands of people coming through daily, whose destruction would affect the entire region's ability to receive supplies, and then they tell the president that ''this'' is a disproportionate response, [[WhatTheHellHero just like he asked]]. The effect is that Bartlet backs down from his aggressive warpath and decides instead to go with one of their proportional response scenarios instead, becoming a lot more humble in his future military actions.