[in a campaign ad] Now, if you don't think I have a personal stake in my economic plan, if you don't think it's personal for me - hey, if the country doesn't like it, I'll be the first one unemployed. We can't hang on to the jobs of the past; none of us can. The entire store of human knowledge now doubles every five years. A child that is born tonight could live to see the 22nd Century. If we nourish innovation, if we tear down red tape and regulation, that child could lead a brand new industry; can cure a dreaded disease; can touch a far horizon that we can't even glimpse yet. So if it's personal for you, if you want your child to grow up in a world fueled by new prosperity and path-breaking discovery, then I need your vote, 'cause you ain't seen nothing yet!
“The Mommy Problem” · Season 7
In this episode: Josh Lyman (4), Matt Santos (2), Lou (2)
People think the campaign's about two competing answers to the same question. They're not. They're a fight over the question itself.
When voters want a national daddy...someone to be tough and strong and defend the country, they vote Republican. When they want a mommy, someone to give them jobs, health care...the policy equivalent of motzah ball soup, they vote Democratic.
[to media consultants] This is probably the greatest assemblage of Democratic talent since the last time Jed Bartlet dined alone.
You saw Vinick on TV this morning. Clearly it wasn't about content, but he was tough and he was authentic. He was Neil Young to your Neil Diamond.
I like Neil Diamond.
I'm sure you do.
We can't have a fight about a security leak. We'll get killed. I'm trying to change the conversation back to the economy.
How about moving the conversation to the fact that while Santos was serving in the Gulf, Vinick was serving himself Chardonnay. That Santos is still serving in the Reserves as a Congressman. He's been in the Senate for, like, 90 years. He was practically born in a committee hearing. If you're not using the phrase "Beltway Arnie" in every press release...
We're not going negative. Not now, not first.
Oh, really. You don't think you're running a negative campaign? Why are you always talking about high-tech jobs? Because Vinick uses a manual typewriter and his future is a set of plastic gums. You're doing political smear like the rest of us. All I'm saying is do it right.
What did you think of the reverse town hall?
I didn't like your joke about being the first one unemployed.
That's just a funny line.
Shaving cream and seltzer are funny. Unemployment's not particularly funny.
I've got the Council Chair after this, we could go egg her house. Was there anything that you did like about the town hall?
Oh, sure, but I assume you have plenty of people around to tell you how great you are, and if you don't, you should hire some because they're wonderful.
Yeah. No, we pay a premium for that. Say, are you familiar with the Mommy Problem?
I am.
Do you think I have one?
That's something you're going to have to answer for yourself, because right now, Beltway Arnie is kicking you all around the electoral math, the White House is treating you like a fly on their governmental windshield. And I wonder if it's just Josh, or do you have what it takes to come out of the Candidate Protection Program and start kicking back.
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