Bartlet, Lord John Marbury and others in “The Drop-In”

Bartlet

Where are you on the missile shield?

Lord John Marbury

Well, I think it's dangerous, illegal...fiscally irresponsible, technologically unsound, and a threat to all people everywhere.

Leo?

Leo

I think the world invented a nuclear weapon. I think the world owes it to itself to see if it can't invent something to make it irrelevant.

Lord John Marbury

Well that's the right sentiment, certainly a credible one from a man who's fought in a war. You think you can make it stop? Well, you can't. We build a shield and somebody will build a better missile.

Bartlet

Well, it's a discussion for serious men. They say a statesman is a politician who's been dead for fifteen years. I'd like us to be statesmen while we're still alive.