All language subtitles for The West Wing (1999) - S06E10 - Faith Based Initiative (1080p AMZN WEB-DL x265 ImE)_track3_[eng]

Previously on The West Wing...

Jed!

I can't do the job, Abbey.

Do you understand?
I can't do it!

Where's Donna?

She got a new job, I think.

I've got her cell,
if you want to give her a call.

You pick your dream
candidate yet?

I don't know
how all of this works.

You pick the smartest,
most capable,

most honorable
individual you
can think of,

and you have a conversation.

I'm not running
for Congress again, Josh.

I'm not talking
about Congress.

SANTOS:
Josh should've
called.

I could've saved
him a trip.

HELEN:
They don't have
anyone else?

It's a Latino district,
and they cannot come up

with a decent Democrat?

You'd think.

Did you leave it open
with him?

No.

I'll break you in half.

( chuckles )

He knows I'm not going
back to the House.

( sighs )

Give me a hand.
These guys are out.

Look at how big this kid is.

I mean, he's down to my knees.

When did this happen?

He's shooting up.
It's that time.

He's got his own smell.

So, what did he want?

Well, he's not worried
about the House anymore.

You supposed
to walk Russell

through a Cinco
de Mayo Parade,

establish his
Chicano street cred?

( laughs ):
Not quite.

I hate politicians
who wear cowboy boots.

Well, that's the
least of his problems.

Women spend their
entire lives

trying to get
out of heels.

What possible use is there?

The guy is a lawmaker.

It's like going through life
wearing a welder's helmet.

He's not a bad guy.

Well, his footwear's moronic.

He's just trying
to get elected.
Exactly.

Oh, my God, this is good.
You want some?

What is it?
It's ice cream, melted.

It's good
like that.
I'm fine.

Josh wants me
to run for president.

Of the United States?

I'm pretty sure.

Wow, they are hard up.

( laughs )

I mean, you know
what I mean, it's...

Are you thinking about this?

No.
You're not?

Told him no.
You told him no.

I told him no.
And what did he say?

He said that I was right,
that it was

a stupid idea and that I made
the right decision.

Man of conviction right there.

He's got it all
figured out.

He's got this nine point plan.

It's pretty interesting,
actually.

Nine point?

Uh-huh.

Why not seven
or three or...?

I don't know.

And this plan is
supposed to make you...

Win.

Oh, my God, you're
thinking about this.

I told him no.

Well, I'm going to bed.

Those kids are going to
be up in a couple hours.

Don't forget the trash.

( machine beeping )

Oh, my God.

Are you kidding me?!

( sighs )

Well, good morning.

Right.

I love it when
it's cold enough

to make the
mud crusty.

It's a better walk.
You don't have
to do this.

Sorry.
You have the full text

of this blog thing
from the Rohmer Report?

Go.

"What team does she play on?

"Washington abuzz
with fresh allegations

"that a certain
former Bartlet
Administration

"press secretary
may have more than
a passing interest

"in pursuing what
many have described

as a radical
homosexual agenda."

And it goes on...
To say what?

That you played
sports at Berkeley
and that you were

the first girl in
Ohio Prep history ever
to dunk a basketball.

Oh, Lord God.

And that's
pretty much it.

Did Tommy call?

Tommy?

Burly Tommy Keller
with the mop on top?

Two dinners at the
Oval Room last week

and the reason
I'm wearing this
necklace today

who's picking you up
at 7:00 tonight Tommy?

He called?

No.

Everybody in there?

All here... five
minutes early.

Well, great.

Mornin'.
ALL:
Good morning, C.J.

Okay...

I've never been more attracted
to you in my life.

Restrain yourself.

Last night's House vote means
we have a budget

headed for conference
committee.

House and Senate versions
are close, but we don't want

to get hung up for weeks
on a bunch of silly HHS riders

like we did two years ago.

We're close, but
it's not a...
Slam dunk?

Hey, now, Charlie made a funny.

Guys, our whole agenda
is riding on this.

We can't afford
another shutdown.

We've got the
President's legacy.

This is our last chance
to maybe do some good

for folks, and
it all lives

or dies with
this budget.

Have to track the
conference committee closely.

Are we going to get the college
loan and Pell Grant expansion?

Yeah, both versions.
We just got
the list

of Republican conferees.

Wilkinson?

I thought it was
a seniority thing.

No, they can do
whatever they want.

That's why they do it
behind closed doors.

Wilkinson?
Isn't this it for him?

Yeah, I thought
he was going

back to Kansas
to sell flat globes.

Was he even in
on the budget negotiations?

I didn't see him.
C.J.:
Okay, we keep an eye out.

Everybody hits the phones.
Will, what do you got?

Uh, the VP's speaking to
the NAACP in Memphis next week.

I'm coordinating
with the policy shops.

You want help?

WILL:
You talking to me?

Yeah, I may be able
to help you out there.

You're offering to help
the Vice President?

Yeah. I can help you

cut to the chase
with those guys.

Those guys?
You're, like,

the whitest guy on the planet.

CHARLIE:
Yeah.

Got any particular insights
you want to share?

Is it weird?
Did it just get weird in here?

A little.
C.J.:
What else?

Kate, where's Uzbekistan?

KATE:
Something big blew up.

Doesn't appear
to be nuclear.

We're going over
the pictures now.

We really have
no idea.

Let's never open
these meetings to the public.

C.J.:
Okay, keep
me posted.

The President's going
to be working

from the residence today.

If you need him,
bring it to me.

He okay?
C.J.:
Yeah, he's fine.

Some temporary balance problems.

Just precautionary.

We don't want to
risk another fall.

Skip the flowers
and chocolate.

If you want to send
a message of love,

bring this budget home.

Now, if you'll excuse me,
I have to try and craft

a personal statement in support
of the reproductive arts.

Hang in there.

Yeah, yeah.
CHARLIE:
There's a basketball

in the trash.

Don't put out a statement.

It'll be perfectly respectful.

We don't need
this distraction now.

It feels funny.

You're going to have to be
more articulate than that.

This can't be
a coincidence.

Rumors about your sexuality
on the same day

the Republicans
are shoving Wilkinson

onto the budget conference
committee?

You're acting like a dog
in Pompeii again.

Do me a favor.
Hold off on the statement.

Let me make some calls.

Fine, but I think you're
drastically overestimating

the political potency
of my sex life.

Not possible.

PRESIDENT:
This is great.

THERAPIST:
Sir?

PRESIDENT:
I have a devastating
neurological disorder,

and you've got me doing
calisthenics.

THERAPIST:
Can I put this whining
in a book I'm going to write?

PRESIDENT:
If I wanted to exercise,

I never would've become
an economist.

Curtis, my friend,
how you doing today?

Just fine, sir.

Well, a mighty blessing
upon your mighty frame son.

Appreciate that,
Mr. President.

What can I do
for you, sir?

Is my wife about?

I believe
she is, sir.

Thank you.

Okay, now you got me
trying to do stuff

I couldn't do
before I got sick.

When you're
feeling wobbly,

that's a good
opportunity for you

to take some time
with range of motion.

Terrific. I'll just pretend
I'm a crustacean.

Use it or lose it,
Mr. President.

That could be said for the power
of the Presidency as well.

Good Lord, Jed,
are you all right?

No, I'm fine,
I just...

Thank you, Curtis.
I may need you. I'll holler.

Right outside
the door, sir.

You bet.

Great kid.

I'd like to watch him
eat a pie.

( laughs ):
You on your way?

Yeah, I've got a quick meet
with your doctor and C.J.

later this morning,
five interviews

and three receptions
this afternoon.

Oh, geez...

Hell is a place
where you got to keep smiling

and you're not allowed
to take off your panty hose.

You want me in the C.J. meeting?

Not unless you want
to hear yourself referred to

in the third person
and keep your mouth shut.

I didn't think my schedule

was going to be so light
on the protein.

Well, that's all right, Jed.

You can afford
to lose a few pounds.

Shh...
See you this
evening.

I'll be here.

He in there?

Yeah. Don't go in.

He alone?

How do you mean?

Not with others.

That is correct.

Know what? He'll be fine.
Step away

from the door.

Hey, one second.
You all right?

How's this?

I'll tell you
after I read it.

Come on in.

She likes it closed.

Interesting girl.

Yeah. I think I lost
the temp lottery.

She's making me finish,
like, one thing at a time.

It's insane.
Tell her to back off.

You tell her.
Call Donna.

( sighs ):
I can't.

You know, eventually, you may
have to resort to manhood.

I'm the victim here.
How am I supposed to be a man?

This Wilkinson thing
seem strange to you?

Yeah. I got calls
out to the Minority Leader

and all the Democratic
conferees.

I'm going to call
the Republican Whip,

then go see Wilkinson.

We'll get this budget locked up.

Why'd you go to Houston?

Hmm?

Why'd you go to Houston? Santos?

Yeah.
What'd he say?

He's not running.

Yeah. Could've used
him in the House.

Yeah, it's a shame.
You went all the
way down there?

I like him a lot.

Russell and Hoynes
both still after you?

Yeah.

Make up your mind?

I'm here with you
to the bitter end with bells on.

If this budget falls apart
and Vinick makes his way

through the primaries,
there's not going to be

a Democratic Party anymore.

No, I know. I'm on it.

You're done. Leave.

I don't know
what you're talking about.

I think this girl's fantastic.

Minority Leader on one.

Yes, Senator, we understand.

Sure. And we appreciate
the restraint you've shown

through this entire
budget process...

Yeah, yeah.

And you know
this White House

is going
to back you 100%.

Sit, sit.

Yeah, Baker's my next call.

Thanks for the heads-up.

Oh, I'm fine.

I only use the
Internet to shop.

Thanks for asking.

Cripes.

What's up?

So, I have
some interview requests...

Go ahead.

The Advocate, Out,
The Village Voice,

The San Francisco
Chronicle...

Make my stinking day.
Washington Times,

Goddess Monthly,
Nantucket Republican

and the NCAA
Field Hockey Quarterly.

Field hockey?

No, I just made
that one up as a joke.

Well, aren't you just as perky

as all get out?
So for now,

it seems to be isolated
to just the...

Sports fans.
Right.

And the statement--
I just want to be sure

this doesn't distract
from the business

of, say,
the government.

Yeah, I've been struggling
with this a bit.

You want to emphatically
deny something

you have no problem with
and make it publicly clear

that this is a private matter?

That'd be great.

Okeydokey.

( knocking )
JOSH:
Hey.

Is the President
still in the residence?

Yeah.
We found out

what Wilkinson's doing
in the budget conference.

Federal ban
on gay marriage.

Sanctity of
Marriage Act.

They're attaching it
to the budget?

So if we want to avoid spending
the rest of our days

in partisan gridlock,
we have to ban gay marriage.

If we oppose it,
we paint the whole

Democratic party
as out of touch

with traditional
American values

for the election.
And the budget

goes down in flames.

Margaret!

Call the residence; we need
to see the President now.

WILL:
I looked over
your resume.

I think we both know
it's an undersell.

What I take to the Vice
President is the knowledge

you've gleaned over six years
on the front lines.

I think we can safely say
you've picked up a lot.

I try to pay
attention.

I just want to make sure
I'm not starting a turf war.

I'd hate to find
the Deputy Chief-of-Staff

at my door
with a switchblade.

You're not
poaching me.

I need to move on,
and Josh is...

Well, he'll find
someone else to
answer his phone.

Well, we can use you.
No question.

And not as anybody's assistant.

That's right,
Mr. President.
On the budget?

Yes, sir.

Didn't they attach

a family planning rider
to the highway bill last year?

JOSH:
They did.

What's with these people?

They can't stop talking
about sex.

If they can't
be having it...

Am I having a flashback,
or is this my brain going?

No, sir,
last time they called it

Marriage Recognition Act.

First term, pocket veto.

Who is it?
Wilkinson.

What's Wilkinson doing
on the conference committee?

JOSH:
That's what
we said.

It's a guts move
by the leadership.

We've just got
to slap it down.

We threaten the veto,
make it clear

this kind of ambush
is unacceptable.

We should get going
on a statement now.

TOBY:
They'll think twice

before they force
another shutdown.

I disagree.

It's a bad pitch;
don't swing at it.

That's why they're throwing it.

Is there any doubt it would get
overturned by the courts, Josh?

JOSH:
It's not likely.

So far, anything short
of full recognition

for same-sex partners
is a constitutional no-go.

This amendment
is pure symbolism.

It's an empty gesture.

Is that worth holding up
our entire agenda?

Get it off the bill, guys.

And if we can't?

Just get it off the bill.

TOBY:
Thank you,
Mr. President.

JOSH:
Thank you, sir.

Wilkinson's more of a Federalist
than an ideologue.

What's he doing suggesting
we override the state?

C.J.:
The courts will
take care of that.

We need this budget, sir.

At the end of the day,
you may have to sign it.

TOBY:
What was that about?

He didn't say he
wouldn't veto it.

He didn't say he would.

We can get
this done.

You want to enlighten us?

He wants it off the bill.

Yeah, we got that.

We're not going
to play a game of chicken

in the middle of a two
trillion-dollar budget round.

We're always
in the middle

of a two trillion-
dollar budget round.

With a president who can't
make it down the stairs?

But he's not
running again.

Why can't we help him
stand up for himself?

The President
made the call.

Let's get it
off the bill.

Josh, try and dole out
some budgetary pork

to members
of the conference committee,

see if we can get
this amendment killed.

( beeping )

Okay. Maybe Sioux City
needs a monorail.

I'm late for the First Lady.

Toby, why don't you share
your feelings with Wilkinson,

see if you can talk him down.

With what, a threat
that if he doesn't back off,

the President
might actually sign it?

You'll figure it out.

DR. GORDON:
We call it
secondary-progressive

MS-- progressive
because the lesions

have obviously
accelerated here.

That's pretty common.

And you don't know
how to stop that?

GORDON:
Give me ten years
and some stem cells.

Sorry.

What we need to focus on

is the best way
to manage his symptoms

in this unique environment.

That's what this is.

What about stress?
Can't be good for you.

Tell me about it.
The before and
after pictures

around this place
are intense.

No more back-to-back
marathon meetings?

No, an hour, max.

His legs are going to
start cramping and spasming.

You don't want him
kicking out the Resolute Desk.

Or one of the Joint Chiefs.

How many hours a day
can we schedule?

Depends.
Six or seven, tops.

And he's going
to need a nap midday.

A nap? He's going
to love that.

GORDON:
It's the public time
that's going to be tough--

standing
behind podiums,

shaking hands,
cabinet meetings.

So, more on the phone,
more memos.

Things he can read and sign.

Too much reading
may lead to optical problems.

You're probably going
to have

to severely limit
his reading materials.

Oh, Lord.

C.J.:
Anything else?

GORDON:
High temperatures
can trigger attacks.

Got to keep the Oval
below 70.

Okay. So, we'll do
a daily report

on the President's condition
in morning staff.

ABBEY:
The bottom line is

we have to be prepared
for anything,

every day.

Got a minute?

You should call first,
so I can gather my wits.

Sorry.

You seen TheFederalGovernment
AreABunchOfDinks.com?

And what if I
reject the premise?

They're all over
this C.J. thing.

Anything new?

They got her high school
basketball stats.

Apparently, she was all-Dayton.

You heard about this Sanctity
of Marriage Amendment?

Just now.
The President

wants it stripped
off the budget.

Good.

Be nice if the Vice President

made some kind of statement
against it.

Maybe called Wilkinson.

The Vice President
is pro-marriage.

As are we all.

I've been married almost twice.

To the same woman.

That's... unique.

We're fine with it.

Okay, then.

So, the VP'll make a statement?

What's the President's position?

He wants it off the bill.

But what's his position?

( chuckling ):
That he wants it off the bill.

And if it stays
on the bill?

We need your help on this.

Right. This is a lose-lose
for us Toby.

We come out for it, we hurt
ourselves in the primaries,

we come out against it, we hurt
ourselves in the general.

I'd have to advise the VP
to wait and see

where the President's
going to land.

No, I want to kill it
before it learns how to walk.

Then I don't know
what you're doing here.

You should be talking
to the President about a veto.

( chuckles softly )

Good idea.

It's getting bigger.

( gasping ):
Oh, hi.

Oh. I'm sorry.
You wanted an update

on this Internet rumor?

It's getting bigger?

The blogs
are saturated with it,

and now there's a query
from the Post.

They're doing a piece
on strategic bloggery.

What are you, like four ten?

Me? I'm four eleven.

I can't believe
we're the same species.

So, there's your update.

I know we shouldn't
be saying anything,

but are you sure
we shouldn't be
saying anything?

I mean, it'd be great
to get it off the net,

but it'd seem
like a comment

on the Sanctity
of Marriage Act.

Plus, any statement on
the White House letterhead

brings this from the blogosphere

to just about every news outlet
in the country.

So, not a peep.
I was going to say...

Thanks for your advice on this.

Democratic conferees
are waiting.

Tommy didn't call,
did he?

Crickets. Guy's starting

to tick me off.

"Crickets"?

TOBY:
Senator Wilkinson.

WILKINSON:
I've been waiting
for an emissary.

Figured it'd be
the Vice President.

Senator, you're one of this
country's great Federalists.

You believe in state
and local control of education.

I do.

You believe in state and local
control of law enforcement.

Yup.

Senator, I'm not
sure you think
there should be

a Federal
government at all.

Well, we lost that fight
some time ago, didn't we?

So, why would you want

an unprecedented, top-
down Federal mandate

to govern every
state's marital laws?

Well, now that we have
a Federal government,

one thing it can do
is protect our national values.

Such as individual freedoms?

Actually, I was thinking
of the institution of marriage.

When the budget's done,

let's get a bipartisan group
together to talk about it.

I don't need

another thoughtful study

to tell me
what I know to be right.

Senator, I'm not criticizing
the sincerity of your beliefs.

Well, that's
refreshing.

Toby, do you believe the Bible
to be literally true?

Yes, sir, but
I don't think

either of us is smart enough
to understand it.

The President wants
this amendment off his budget.

Well, if you're here
to threaten a veto,

now's the time to do it.

Yeah, I'm a busy man.

I don't appreciate
your coming down here

with hollow threats.

And I don't appreciate people

spreading politically
motivated rumors

about C.J. Cregg
on the Internet.

I don't know
how to use a typewriter,

much less a computer.

I think the President is going
to sign it, Toby.

And I think that you're here

because you think
he might sign it, too.

Marla, I need the numbers
for the meeting!

( phone ringing )

The earmarks, for the conferees?

( phone continues ringing )

Can you get that?

I'm late here.

Hello.

MARLA:
I don't like to be yelled at.

( dial tone )

I would like
to have the earmarks

so that I can go and do my job.

"Earmarks."
Is that frat boy for pork?

Wow.

Here you go.
Thank you.

$300,000

for potato storage research?

Starches are vital.

How vital is
$50 million

for an indoor rain forest
in Iowa?

It attracts tourism.
And mosquitoes,
I'm guessing.

I'm trying to get

some distinguished members
of Congress

to remove a hateful, gay-bashing
piece-of-trash amendment

from the Federal budget.

By bribing them

with taxpayers'
hard-earned money?

I don't know
if you read the memo,

but I set Federal
budget policy.

You alphabetize
and sort.

Josh. You, uh, got a second?

Yeah. Come in.

You're going to be late.

( door shuts )

So, what are you working on?

Actually,
right now,

trying to build
an indoor rain forest.

Ah.

Well, good luck
with that.

Listen, I'm sorry
about landing on you

in Houston like that.

My wife wants to kill you.

Yeah, I got a lot
of women mad at me.

Yeah? Well, you ought
to work on that.

I do have to go to this
meeting in a second.

We got a budget glitch
we're trying to sort out.

So, would this be
a package deal?

The budget?

No. I've
been thinking

about your nine-point plan.

Really?

Yeah.

But I would like to add a tenth.

What's that?

You.

The filing deadline's
next Thursday.

I'm in if you're in with me.

that the Paperwork Reduction Act
is more than 500 pages long?

Okay, let's just see if we can
squeeze it down a little,

save a couple of trees.

You can always
tell a bureaucrat,

but you can't
tell him much.

Unless you tell him
in triplicate.

What you need, Toby?

Sanctity of Marriage?

Yeah. Yeah, Will
gave me a heads-up.

He helpful?

Not as obedient
as he used to be.

That's good to hear.

That's rough about C.J.

Yeah, it's a rough town.

Mr. Vice President,
I know you don't want

to get ahead
of the President on this,

but we need you to come out

against the Sanctity
of Marriage Act.

Why would I
want to do that?

'Cause one clear signal
from this White House,

and I believe
Wilkinson will fold.

I think Will is right.

I'm, uh, gonna have
to take a pass on this.

Mr. Vice President,

this amendment isn't
about protecting marriage.

It's about institutionalizing
the last acceptable form

of discrimination.

Toby...
You can't just

sit back
and allow the religious right

to hijack the social agenda
in this country.

I know, look...

Presidential campaigning

has to be about more
than duck and cover.

This is an opportunity for you
to stand up and lead, make...

I've got a nephew who's gay.

I love this kid.

Name's Todd.

I want him
to have the same rights

and opportunities
as everybody else.

He wants to go to West Point,
and it makes me sick to think

that we would send him
into battle to defend a union

but he can't enter into one.

Then come out
against this amendment.

We're not
there yet.

5,000 years of socialization

didn't go out the window

with the first
Village People album.

You do this wrong,
then there'll be a backlash

that sets us back 50 years.

You do it right,
we'll be there in ten.

And in the meantime,

what message are we sending?

We're making progress.

We've got, uh,
domestic partnerships,

non-discrimination laws.

Besides,
demographics are destiny.

The kids don't give a damn
about this.

You would tell the President
to sign this thing?

I'd tell him to get his budget.

And so would my nephew.

C.J.:
Tommy?

Any Tommy?

No Tommy to give.

Hmm.

Boston Globe wants...

Oh, my God!

...to know if we're
going to comment

on the Wilkinson
amendment.

That voice out
of nowhere...

MSNBC, too.

MuckrakersManifesto.com
has a story

that you were gonna coach
in the WNBA...

That's completely
ridiculous.

I went to, like,
three Mystics games.

Fox news--

both mean Irish guys.

Whole bunch of websites,
11 more newspapers,

and be quick about it,
blah, blah, blah...

So, they're
all writing

about me now?

Not you, exactly, but

the amendment gives them license

to at least mention
these Internet rumors.

Well, the President
wants a clean budget bill

with no extraneous
amendment, that's the line.

And start working
up a statement.

I thought we decided not to.

Just in case.

You know, respectful,

non-defensive,
live and let live,

not that there's
anything wrong with it.

I tried that.
And?

And I gave up
'cause it's stupid?

Is that an option
around here?

Toby suggested it might be.

And what else did Toby suggest?

That the White House
Chief of Staff

doesn't get
to issue personal statements

that read like letters
to the editor

of Soap Opera Digest.

Not that I'm a subscriber
or anything.

I'd like a draft statement
on my desk in an hour.

What are you doing?

I got a bad temp.

This is where
you become just sad.

Call Donna.

What happened
with Wilkinson?

He won't budge.

When God starts
talking to people,

it kind of limits
the debate.

How's the pork?

Not having much luck
with the other conferees.

Carson wants 600 grand
for alternative salmon products.

I think we should just ditch
the whole budget

and open a grocery store.

So this amendment's gonna pass?

People don't want
to vote against marriage.

We're gonna run out
of salmon products

before they're ready to vote
against church and family.

Oh, I hate this issue.

It's like walking around town
holding a sick chicken.

If the President

isn't willing to veto this,
I don't know

how we're gonna nickel and dime
our way out of it.

So, we shouldn't even try?

C.J.'s caving,
the Vice President thinks

the country's not ready
to fight discrimination,

and for all I know,

the President's
in the middle of nap time.

No one wants
to get near this issue.

Even Hoynes is hedging--
three-paragraph statement.

I can't even tell if he thinks
there should be a Congress.

Hoynes just put out a statement?

Yeah, said it deserves
"thoughtful study."

"Thoughtful study?"
He said that?

Straddling the political divide
like an Adonis.

He was on
Judiciary

with Wilkinson, right?

Yeah, for a long time.

So, uh, Santos stopped by.

Filing deadline's
in two days.

Wants me to go with him.

To Texas?
What for?

New Hampshire.

Why does he want
to go to New Hampshire?

To run for President.

I kind of talked him into it.

I think I got to go with him.

I laid out a nine-point plan.

Is one of the points
a military junta?

Okay.

I'm gonna go back
to my office now.

You can't leave.

We're not done here.

You can't skip out

with the President
lying flat on his back.

Seven years,
you're gonna leave us

with a Candy Gram
and a get well card?

Someone's got to think
about the ninth year.

You're gonna walk
into the Oval Office

and tell the President
you just found a better horse?

Hi.

Secretary of
Agriculture
is calling.

Something about a
fruit laboratory.

Thank you.

So maybe we'll get Carson
after all.

If I make any progress,
I'll get you a new whip count.

You getting through it?

Yeah, I'm almost up to
the Hoover Administration.

Did Margaret give you
the call sheets

for the Democratic conferees?

Yup, I spoke to McKenna.

He's fine
on the education offsets.

I figure
you just had a heart attack

they'd have to take your call.

Hey, whatever it takes.

Drives me crazy when these guys
use the federal budget

as a right-wing social soap box.

It's a popular issue.

No one wants to be the first one
to line up against it.

If you live your life

underneath a
magnifying glass,

you tend to stay away
from the heat.

How you holding up?

I'm feeling a little
over-interpreted.

The Internet thing.

Am I wrong to want
to set the record straight,

no pun intended?

When I was
Labor Secretary,

the National Enquirer
ran a story

that I'd married
Elizabeth Taylor

while skydiving over New Mexico.

I'm a heterosexual,

and I-I don't know
why I just said that,

except that as of this morning,
I'm the most famous...

not famous, but apparently,

the most powerful lesbian
on the planet,

when the fact of the matter is
I'm crazy, absolutely crazy

about this particular man
I just met

and had two fabulous dinners
with in the space of one week.

A man who hasn't had
the courtesy to call me today,

probably because he is simply
of the undependable gender,

or, come to think of it,

maybe he has even less
of an idea

about how to deal
with my alleged

and fictitious lesbianism
than I do.

So, he'll just remain silent,

like a submarine
under the ice cap

and drift away,

just drift away
like the legion of other cowards

for whom I spent my young life
staring at the phone,

panting like an exquisite collie
hoping for table scraps.

Until I became successful,

and suddenly started
to scare them,

scare them
with the very independence

they required me to have
so that now,

I'm looking at some bad numbers,
really rough stuff,

if you know
what I'm talking about.

But what was I supposed to do?

Turn down an opportunity

to serve the President
of the United States

whom I believe in and adore?

You just want to share it all
with someone, you know?

So, if you want to, uh,
send down anymore call sheets...

Sure. No, that'd be
a great idea.

I need you to stay, Leo.

So does the President.

C.J.? Toby
needs you.

TOBY:
Wilkinson won't move.

The Vice President
has chosen this moment

to find his noble core,

and I think Hoynes may be
behind this whole thing.

Hoynes?

We have to put the President
in a room with Wilkinson.

Oh, that's not gonna happen.

How's Hoynes involved?

That doesn't matter.
The President has

to threaten a veto
to Wilkinson's face.

It's the only way to get
the amendment off this bill.

The President's not ready
to threaten a veto.

Because you told him not to.

I'm not willing
to sink the budget over this.

Over your Internet dating life.

No, over a symbol,
an empty gesture

that's gonna be struck down
by the courts.

So that's what we're gonna do.

We're gonna pass the buck
and pray for judicial restraint?

The President
is resting today.

We can't haul him down here

every time we can't do
what he's asked us to do.

You're afraid
to address it

because it'll call
more attention to this garbage

they're running in cyberspace.

No, Toby, I'm too busy composing
my letter to the editor

of Soap Opera Digest.

Josh is thinking
of leaving.

What?

To help Matt Santos run
for President.

The Congressman from Texas?

Leo's gone, Josh has
one foot out the door.

It's you and I. We're gonna have
to run this thing.

Are we going to stand
for something,

or just hang around,
change the sheets

for the President's
hospital bed?

So we should do, what,
fight an amendment

with no practical impact
and massive popular support?

Yes, we should
fight it.

Fight the symbol, yes.

Symbols matter.

And if they didn't,
why would you care

what they say
about you on the Internet?

I have to go downstairs
for a quick meeting.

C.J. called me.

Yeah, God forbid

anyone should see me
bumming around the West Wing.

Might think I'm actually
running the country.

This gonna be your
idea of resting?

It's only gonna take
a couple of minutes.

We're have a
situation here, Jed.

I'm starting to feel
like a guest

at the most secure bed
and breakfast on the planet.

What's so important that
you'd risk your health?

The Sanctity of Marriage Act.

Oh, that old chestnut?

I was hoping for at least
an international crisis.

( sighs )

Hold the fish loosely, Jed,

or it's gonna flop
right out of your hands.

I want to put my pants on.

What?

My pants.

I can't put them on.

Oh, okay.

"How body from spirit
does slowly unwind

until we are pure spirit
at the end."

You gonna quote poetry now?

I...

( grunts )

So, this is why
they make you take vows.

Yup, this is why.

( sighs )

WILL:
Would you
overnight this

up to David
in Concord, please?

( knocks )

New Hampshire office
is up and running?

11 of them, actually.

Cheaper to buy in bulk.

Little different
operation

than Orange County
three years ago, huh?

Well, this guy's got
a pulse for starters.

Technically speaking, sure.

You don't miss the romance
of the upstart campaign?

Sorry to make you waste
a walk across the parking lot.

Toby already tried
to go over my head

on the Sanctity
of Marriage.

You want to remind him
the Vice President and I

actually do talk
every once in a while.

You know, he really appreciates

your offer to help
on this NAACP stuff.

Sure, great.

You good?

How's Donna working out?

Great.

She have an office yet?

I didn't see her
out in the bullpen.

She just headed
up for New Hampshire.

She's gonna be there
a couple of weeks.

Excellent.

Well, next time you see her,
you tell her I say hi.

Of course.

HOYNES:
Okay, see you guys

on the plane tomorrow.

TOBY:
Where are you off to?

South Carolina
in the morning.

Georgia
in the afternoon.

Working on your
southern strategy?

That and my winter tan.

You could use a couple
of rays yourself.

Well, I'm not so much
in for tanning,

but I'll give it some
"thoughtful study".

( chuckles ):
The luxury of being

out of public office.

Toby, I don't have
to take a position

on every issue that comes
before the Congress.

You served with Wilkinson on
the Judiciary Committee, right?

l did.
He's a good man.

I mean, he is out there,
but it's for real.

Won't take a cent of PAC
money, it's unbelievable.

So you encouraged him to visit
his righteous indignation

down on the budget process.

Make Russell swing
to the right

on gay marriage,

slay him with
the Democratic faithful

in the primaries--
it makes sense.

I'm just confused about
who the viable candidate

is supposed to be
when Russell's gone.

You underestimate
the American public.

Generally a good policy
in my experience.

I don't trust
their judgment.

Oh, I almost forgot.

You're working for
the President of Cuba.

I trust their aspirations.

Just like all those guys
in the white wigs.

Some of them
were slave-owners, I hear.

Exactly.

C.J., too, that your handiwork?

No.

No, I feel terrible about that.

I'm gonna win this thing, Toby.

JOSH:
Hey.

So, are the queers
going to destroy

marriage as we
know it or what?

I have no idea.

I'm handing out pork
like Popsicles.

Wilkinson's coming over
to meet with the President.

Thought he was staying
in the residence today.

Yeah, so did the First Lady.

I'd steer clear.

Oh, I'm not getting
anywhere near that one.

So I think I found my guy.

Yeah?

That's good.

Matt Santos
said yes.

He's gonna do it.

Santos?

Really?

I know. I got this nine-point...

No, I don't need to hear it.

You smell a moment,
you gotta go.

I don't want to leave
you guys with just a...

Candy Gram and
a get well card.

We'll be fine.

Come with me-- I think
this guy may be the real deal.

I already found my guy.

I don't know how
to tell him, Leo.

Hey.

Hey.

Agriculture's still
dragging their feet

on this Appalachian
fruit thing.

It was Hoynes.

He wanted
to force Russell

to support the Sanctity
of Marriage Act.

Heartwarming.

So, Santos, huh?

What are you gonna do
when this is done?

Whatever I can to stave off
the chaos, mayhem

and self-interest that lies just
beneath our civil disguise.

So not the private sector.

( chuckles )

The money would
have to be unbelievable.

See ya.

Yeah.

You all set, sir?

I'm fine, Nancy.
Bring him on in.

Mr. President,

Senator Wilkinson.

Sam.

Well, you look
terrific, Mr. President.

Thank you.

Sorry I can't get up,
but I can't get up.

You're in our prayers,
Mr. President.

I appreciate that,
Sam, I really do.

Now, tell me
what I can do

to get your amendment
off my budget?

"Against nature.

"Men leaving
the natural use of the woman,

"burned in their lust
toward one another;

men with men, working
that which is unseemly."

Romans.

Would it offend
you, Sam,

if I said
this amendment represents

a selective interpretation
of the scriptures,

a complete inversion of
the values of Jesus Christ?

No, sir, it wouldn't
offend me.

I'm secure in my faith.

Isn't there something in
that book about forgiveness?

Aren't we all God's children?

Of course
we are.

Which is why the government
shouldn't institutionalize

behavior in opposition
to our faith.

What gives us the right to visit
our faith upon the country?

One nation
under God.

What gives us the right not to?

You talked
to John Hoynes about this?

John's a friend of mine.

But I introduced
this amendment

because I believe you want
to sign it, Mr. President.

You told me
as much

six weeks ago
at the Prayer Breakfast.

That civil unions
are one thing,

but that marriage is between
a man and a woman.

( clears throat )

I can't stand up anymore.

Sir?
I've lost
my balance.

Should come back,
but it's gone right now.

Are you
dizzy, sir?

No, I just
can't find my balance.

It went away.

I try thinking it back,
but it's difficult,

because it's not a static thing.

Once it's gone,

it's hard to imagine
having it back again,

and it's disheartening
to realize

that thinking
just isn't gonna get it done.

You've just gotta trust that
you'll happen on to it again.

You only have
one more year, Mr. President.

Yeah, I've got a great
future behind me.

Attaching this
to the budget

gives you all
the cover you need.

How is this our job, Sam?

I raised my right hand
and swore an oath

to uphold the Constitution of
the United States of America.

Where was your left hand,
Mr. President?

This was sent over from
the Northwest Gate.

It says,
"Oval room at 9:00."

Yeah.

Are the press
still in there?

Yeah.

This is your
statement.

Hey,
I just wanted

to tell you guys that
the Sanctity of Marriage Act's

been removed from the budget
at the President's urging.

The conferees are moving
towards a clean budget bill.

With any luck, it should be

on the President's desk
by tomorrow.

Are we on the record here?

Sure, what the hell.

Are you a homosexual?

You know what?

I've spent the last 14 hours

being snickered at
by United States Senators,

being ostracized
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 just the best damn women's
basketball player

in Ohio Valley history,

no one should
be treated this way.

You didn't answer the question.

That's right, because
it's none of your business.

Josh, he can see you now.

Josh.

How you feeling?

Not too bad.

Um, everything okay?

( sighs )

( phone ringing )

Russell for President.

SANTOS:
I wanted to start this journey

in the place where
it all started for me.

Soon, we will be inundated
by the polls

and the punditry
and the prognostications--

all the nonsense
that goes with

our national
political campaigns.

Well, none of that matters.

This is the place that matters.

Because every day,

children walk into
this schoolhouse

to glimpse their futures,
to ask for hope.

They may not know they
need it yet, but they do.

And I'm here to tell you
that hope is real.

In a life of trials,

in a world of challenges--
hope is real.

In a country where families
go without health care,

where some go without food,

some don't even have a home
to speak of-- hope is real.

In a time of global
chaos and instability,

where our faiths collide

as often as our weapons--
hope is real.

Hope is what gives us
the courage

to take on
our greatest challenges,

( President breathing heavily)
to move forward together.

We live in cynical times,
I know that.

But hope is not up for debate.

There is such a thing
as false science,

there's such a thing
as false promises.

I am sure that I'll have

my share of false starts
in this campaign.

But there is no such thing
as false hope.

There is only hope.

And with your help
and your hard work

and the hopes of good people
all across this land,

I hereby announce my candidacy

for President
of these United States.

( cheering and applause )