But for a brilliant surgical team and two centimeters of a miracle, this guy's [Josh] dead right now. From bullets fired from a gun bought legally. They bought guns, they loaded 'em, they drove from Wheeling to Rosslyn, and until they pulled the trigger they had yet to commit a crime. I am so off the charts tired of the gun lobby tossing around words like personal freedom and nobody calling 'em on it. It's not about personal freedom. And it certainly has nothing to do with public safety. It's just that some people like guns.
AinsleyYes, and you know what's even more sinister than that? Your gun control policy doesn't have anything to do with public safety, and it's certainly not about personal freedom. It's about that you don't like the people who do like guns.
So, I have to tell you, I've never seen Sam Seaborn get beat the way you beat him on Monday.
Ainsley
Yes, well, Mr. McGarry...
Ainsley
Yes, sir. I've been thinking about that ever since your office called me on Tuesday, and I have something to say on my own behalf, if you'll permit me a moment to say it, and I understand if you won't, but I would really appreciate it if you did.
I... didn't really follow that, but whatever.
Ainsley
I think that it is wrong for a man in your position to summon someone to the White House to reprimand them for voicing opposition. I think that that is wrong, and it is inappropriate. It's inappropriate, and I'll tell you what else.
Ainsley
Yes.
That's fine, except you weren't summoned here to be reprimanded.
Ainsley
Well, then, if you'll permit me, why was I summoned?
You have an interesting conversational style, do you know that?
Ainsley
It's a nervous condition.
I used to have a nervous condition.
Ainsley
How did yours manifest itself?
Ainsley
I get sick when I drink too much.
I get drunk when I drink too much.
Ainsley
Well, Mr. McGarry...
Ainsley
I'll ask again: for what purpose was I brought here today?
So I could offer you a job.
Ainsley
I'm asking because I do not think that it is fair that I be expected to play the role of the mouse to the White House's cat in the game of... you know the game?
Ainsley
Yes. And it's not like I'm not, you know. The fact that I may not look like some of the other Republicans who have crossed your path does not mean that I'm any less inclined toward...
Ainsley
Did you say offer me a job?
Yes. Associate White House counsel. You'd report to the deputy White House counsel who reports to the White House counsel who reports to me.
Ainsley
I'm sorry... a job in this White House?
You want a glass of scotch?
Ainsley
Yes, please.
Ainsley
I have always been a Republican. My father is a Republican. His father was State Chairman of the North Carolina Republican Party.
Ainsley
When I was young, I was a Young Republican.
Yeah, Ainsley, even if you hadn't already told me all of this, you know, many, many times, I would know it anyway, 'cause I have this FBI file.
Ainsley
You have my FBI file?
Ainsley
I can't believe that! You have my FBI file?
Ainsley
I have an FBI file?
Ainsley
Mr. McGarry, I loathe almost everything you believe in. [stands up]
Ainsley
I'm not going anywhere, I'm standing up, which is how one speaks in opposition in a civilized world.
Ainsley
I find this administration smug and patronizing, and under the impression that those who disagree with them are less than they are, and with colder hearts.
I don't think that's true.
Ainsley
How many people on your staff assumed that I was ambitious, mean, and stupid?
None. [after a moment] C.J. Cregg thinks you kill your pets. You don't do that, do you?
Ainsley
No, I don't kill my pets. I don't have any pets. I was thinking about getting a pet, but-- that doesn't matter. The point is...
Ainsley
Yes, sir.
Don't you want to work in the White House?
Ainsley
Oh, only since I was two.
Ainsley
Mr. McGarry.
The President likes smart people who disagree with him. He wants to hear from you. The President's asking you to serve. And everything else is crap.
Josh You're not taking the job?
Ainsley
No. But thank you for talking to me, instead of about me.
Hey, I'm still back on he offered you the job... but you're not taking the job?
No, man, why participate in the process when you can get a job commenting on it?
Ainsley
You think because I don't want to work here it's because I can get a better gig on Geraldo? Gosh, let's see if there could possibly be any other reason why I wouldn't want to work in this White House? This White House that feels that government is better for children than parents are. That looks at forty years of degrading and humiliating free lunches handed out in a spectacularly failed effort to level the playing field and says, 'Let's try forty more.' This White House that says of anyone that points that out to them, that they are cold and mean and racist, and then accuses Republicans of using the politics of fear. This White House that loves the Bill of Rights, all of them - except the second one.
This is the wrong place to talk about guns right now. I thought your column was idiotic.
Ainsley
Imagine my surprise.
But for a brilliant surgical team and two centimeters of a miracle, this guy's [Josh] dead right now. From bullets fired from a gun bought legally. They bought guns, they loaded 'em, they drove from Wheeling to Rosslyn, and until they pulled the trigger they had yet to commit a crime. I am so off the charts tired of the gun lobby tossing around words like personal freedom and nobody calling 'em on it. It's not about personal freedom. And it certainly has nothing to do with public safety. It's just that some people like guns.
Ainsley
Yes, they do. But do you know what's even more insidious than that? Your gun control position doesn't have anything to do with public safety, and it's certainly not about personal freedom. It's about that you don't like the people who do like guns. You don't like the people. Think about that the next time you make a joke about the South.
This is Ainsley Hayes. She's scared of meeting you, so be nice.
The girl who's been writing the columns?
[to Ainsley] You're an idiot.
Ainsley
Oh God–
She's not an idiot, Lionel, she clerked for Dreifort!
Well, Dreifort's an idiot.
Dreifort's a Supreme Court Justice, Lionel, so let's speak of him with respect and practice some tolerance for those who disagree with us.
I believe, as long as Justice Dreifort is intolerant toward gays, lesbians, blacks, unions, women, poor people, and the first, fourth, fifth, and ninth amendments, I will remain intolerant toward him! [to Ainsley] Nice meeting you.
She's working for you, Lionel.
She's working for you. The president asked me to hire her for your office.
The President of what, asked you to hire her for my office?
Ainsley
He was okay with it?
He thinks it's a great idea. He can't wait to meet you.
Ainsley
Lionel Tribbey.
Ainsley
Lionel Tribbey thinks hiring me was a great idea.
Ainsley
Well, because I am a Republican and Lionel Tribbey is... incredibly not.
Lionel Tribbey is the White House Counsel. He's a brilliant and fair-minded attorney, and he will accept you on his staff because he is... well, fair-minded and because...
Ainsley
You haven't told him yet!
I have, in fact, not told him yet, no.
Ainsley
So you lied to me just then.
I'm a politician, Ainsley. Of course I lied to you just then.
I don't need your help. I'm asking for your help so let's not make a federal...
Ainsley
[into her phone] Dad, it's me. Sam's asking for my help.
Ainsley
[into her phone] Gotta go, dad, I need to help Sam.
That must have rolled them in the aisles back in Georgia.
Ainsley
I'm from North Carolina.
Wherever it was you studied baton twirling.
Ainsley
That'd be Harvard Law School.
Ainsley
I'm not going to say anything. I'm not going to spill anything. I'm not going to get Republican juice on you. I'm just going to sit there and learn.
Ainsley
From the master, Sam, I want to learn from the master.
[stopping] See, women think that kind of thing works, but it doesn't.
Ainsley
[steps close] It really does, Sam.
[Sam looks at her. They start walking again.]
I let you come to the Hill, you'll summarize my memo?
Ainsley
I'll use punctuation and everything. You might even get extra credit.
Okay, can I talk to you about adrenaline for a second?
Ainsley
Adrenaline?
Yeah. You're feeling it right now and it's gonna get even more cause it's a big night, and you were a hit and you've never experienced anything like this.
Ainsley
And you think I'm going to have a nutty.
I'm saying don't drink until you're off television.
Ainsley
God! Thanks Sam for that debating tip. You have a feel for nuances. You say I shouldn't be drunk when I'm representing the White House.
Yeah. And remember you're a blond, Republican girl and that nobody likes you.
[about the President] Last night you were scared to meet him.
Ainsley
And I'm still scared to meet him, but I'll overcome that in order to erase the humiliation that I've brought upon myself and my father.
You are just in your own little Euripides play over there, aren't you?
You're going back to Smith College, the cradle of feminism, to argue in opposition of the Equal Rights Amendment?
Ainsley
And get some decent pizza, yeah.
Ainsley
I'm a straight Republican from North Carolina. You don't think they hated me the first time around?
The West Wing · 913 quotes
