I think we made a mistake.
Letting the President step aside.
Have you been watching CNN, MSNBC? Even FOX is treating it as a seminar on the resiliency of the Constitution.
The President's daughter is probably tied up in the back of a gas station. We have no idea how this is playing.
He showed he's a leader, nobly embracing his own flawed humanity.
Lincoln and Kennedy had children who died. They didn't take a sabbatical.
Congressional leadership.
Lincoln never got a ransom note from Jefferson Davis. He's putting country before family. I'd carpet bomb Mecca to get my kids back.
What if they like Walken better? What if he seems more presidential? What if they want Walken to stay?
In a few days, President Bartlet turns the second letter over to Congress.
What if it doesn't take a few days? What if it takes a few weeks, a few months? What if she's never found?
What are the chances Zoey Bartlet's still alive?
Hard to say, but I think yes she probably is. They'll want to milk this for all its worth.
Get your people in place, Admiral. We don't go today unless we're provoked. [to Casper] Find her and find her fast. But if Zoey Bartlet turns up dead, I'm going to blow the hell out of something, and God only knows what happens next.
You work for the President. He's going to need you down there.
I work for you, sir. Someone else can show him where the Xerox paper is.
You do a lot more than that.
Thank you, sir, but I'd prefer to stay here with you.
They didn't try to cover their tracks?
MCMike Casper
No, sir. They don't care if we know who they are. They don't plan on being alive in a few days.
What do you want to hit, Admiral?
AFAdm. Fitzwallace
Kazir training camps.
MDr. McNally
The Qumaris say those are religious schools.
AFAdm. Fitzwallace
They're terrorist training camps masquerading as religious schools. We traced Kaleel to Zachari Faruk, leader of the camps.
MDr. McNally
Villages, hospitals, a food distribution center.
AFAdm. Fitzwallace
We're suggesting AGM-88 HARMs. We'll hit what we're aiming for.
MDr. McNally
This is a long-term ally in a highly volatile region.
AFAdm. Fitzwallace
Bombing Tripoli stopped Libya.
MDr. McNally
It's more likely to strengthen the resolve of the terrorists and topple a moderate Islamic regime.
If we bomb the camps, don't the kidnappers murder Zoey Bartlet?
Or it sends a message: kill her or don't, the United States does not negotiate with terrorists.
BSBob Slattery
Our European allies are going to go crazy. They have billions tied up in oil and natural gas pipelines in Qumar.
Screw the Europeans. They've had years to get the Qumaris to get their house in order. What are the chances Zoey Bartlet's still alive?
Hard to say, but I think yes she probably is. They'll want to milk this for all its worth.
Get your people in place, Admiral. We don't go today unless we're provoked. [to Casper] Find her and find her fast. But if Zoey Bartlet turns up dead, I'm going to blow the hell out of something, and God only knows what.
DWDemocrat Woman
Walken can spend his entire presidency channel surfing in the Lincoln Bedroom. You said to the country, Democrats can't handle security.
DMDemocrat Man #1
If you want to save a spotted owl, vote Democratic. If you want your kid saved, sorry, we'll be doing the crossword.
President Bartlet is protecting kids by ensuring that decisions are made based on relevant intel, not on a distraught father's clouded emotions.
DWDemocrat Woman
If any emotions are clouded, Leo, it's yours. Let's face it, Leo. You've always been too close to Bartlet.
DMDemocrat Man #2
It's your job to buck him up, Leo. To help him make the tough decisions. The presidency isn't a vanity exercise.
Who's doing electoral math on the back of a napkin in the middle of a national crisis?
DWDemocrat Woman
You single-handedly ended the Imperial Presidency.
DMDemocrat Man #1
You've elevated Walken and the Republicans. You've made them into genuine players on the world stage.
I didn't elevate them. The Presidential Succession Act of 1947 did. And I'm not prepared to think about politics while we're under terrorist attack. The Republic comes first. That's why Truman wanted the Speaker third in line.
DWDemocrat Woman
Truman wanted the Speaker third in line because he used to drink bourbon with Sam Rayburn.
The only thing I find extraordinary about that is that a member of the executive branch actually wanted to share a drink with a member of Congressional leadership. [standing up] Thank you for coming by to show your concerns. And I'll be sure to pass them on to President Bartlet.
You're campaigning in the middle of a national tragedy....
AAtwood
You don't get it, do you? The Republicans are in awe of Bartlet. He recused himself in the only way he could. In the way envisioned by the Constitution... The whole notion of the 25th Amendment is that the institution matters more than the man. Bartlet's decision was even more self-sacrificing because he willingly gave power to his opposition.
The institution may matter more, but it's your guy protecting it, not ours.
AAtwood
A truly self-sacrificing act usually involves some sacrifice.
So, now you're going to nail us to the cross.
AAtwood
No. You beat the terrorists at their own game. We're not stupid, Josh. We try to use this to our advantage, it will blow up in our faces. We'd seem callous and unfeeling. In contrast to Bartlet's extraordinary gesture of courage and patriotism. And anyone who thinks otherwise has a particularly craven way of looking at politics.
The Lord giveth, and the Lord taketh away. Words I did not fully understand until our daughter was taken from us three days ago. But now we can rejoice and be glad, for that which was lost has been found. That my child is back in her mother's arms is serendipity and grace, a second chance that will not slip through our fingers again. I wish I could tell you there is some new policy, some new weapons system, a silver bullet perhaps that could meet this moment, that could keep us safe from the terror that is now among us. But if I were to say that I'd be lying. All I can promise you is that I will fight with every fiber of my being, with every weapon in our arsenal, and with every ounce of God's grace to keep us strong, and free, and safe.
ABAngela Blake
Tomorrow's New York Times CNN poll has his approval rating up to 76%.
ABAngela Blake
His numbers are gonna crater. Not level off, crater, like a failed Mars probe. Today it's, "He lost his daughter. What a shame. We're pulling for him." and in two weeks, it'll be, "I don't want a President I have to pull for."
He did what was constitutionally appropriate. He upheld his oath.
ABAngela Blake
If you want a constitutional debate, you should call the Dean of Columbia Law. Our guy quit when things got tough. Josh must be going nuts.
He thinks we need to put a poll in the field.
ABAngela Blake
The White House can't be caught putting a poll in the field. [pause] Okay. I'll call you when it's done. We need photos, Bartlet on the phone with world leaders, conferring with military advisors, looking resolute.
ABAngela Blake
You've been a good friend to him, Leo, but you have other responsibilities. The people need to believe that when he comes back, he'll be able to govern effectively, even if he can't secure the safety of his own family. They need to know he's willing to sacrifice his own child's life for his country.
ABAngela Blake
I wasn't stupid enough to run for President.
Deficit projections don't look great. We're gonna need a stimulus package.
Significant tax cuts. Reduction in discretionary spending. You have something on your mind, Leo?
This office isn't always about doing something. Most of the time it's about not doing something.
[Steve leaves.]
You're meeting with Republican leadership again without any Democrats or Cabinet members present?
What are you accusing us of?
You weren't elected to this office.
I have a responsibility to President Bartlet and...
Don't lecture me about the responsibilities of this office!
Then start acting like you understand them!
If you're uncomfortable serving as my Chief of Staff, Leo, then feel free to recuse yourself until I'm gone.
This isn't about Shareef.
You're right; it's not. It's about our allowing situations in these countries to develop in the first place.
I'm not gonna let you do this.
We choose the order and certainty of petty despots over the uncertainty and chaos of developing democracies.
Shareef ordered the assassination of women and children. He wasn't a nationalist or a fledgling Democrat. He was a cold-blooded murderer.
Six more American boys are dead.
And that doesn't make you angry?
[yelling] Of course that makes me angry! [pause] "The ultimate weakness of violence is that it is a descending spiral. Returning violence with violence only multiplies violence adding deeper darkness to a night already devoid of stars."
I'm part of that darkness now, Leo. When did that happen?
Dr. King wasn't wrong. He just didn't have your job.
