We're gonna have a party, Congressman. You should come; it's gonna be great. And when the watermelon's done, right in town square, right in the band gazebo. You guys got a band gazebo? Doesn't matter; we'll build one. Right in the band gazebo, that's where the President is going to drape his arm around the shoulder of some assistant D.A. we like. And you should have your camera with you, you should get a picture of that, 'cause that's gonna be the moment you're finished in Democratic politics.

Just as the President gleefully announces that a gun bill will pass, Leo finds out they're five votes down. It's a three day backroom fight, punctuated with an unsuccessful plea to a leader of the Congressional Black Caucus and a confrontation between Josh Lyman and a recalcitrant Democratic Representative. Meanwhile, Mandy and CJ put the staff's annual financial disclosures front and center -- causing Toby to face possible criminal or public relations problems over an innocent stock purchase that looks not-so-innocent. After an accidental double dose of his pain medication, President Bartlet agrees to Sam's novel solution. The President loses public credit for the bill to Vice President Hoynes, and Leo's dedication to his job costs him his wife.

Credits

Written by AARON SORKIN
Directed by MARC BUCKLAND

Starring:

ROB LOWE as Sam Seaborn
DULÉ HILL as Charlie Young
ALLISON JANNEY as C.J. Cregg
MOIRA KELLY as Mandy Hampton
RICHARD SCHIFF as Toby Ziegler
JOHN SPENCER as Leo McGarry
BRADLEY WHITFORD as Josh Lyman
and MARTIN SHEEN as President Josiah Bartlet

Guest Starring:

Related Links:

Asymmetrical Adversarialism in National Defense Policy
The Brady Center: Gun Industry Reform
[Link to THOMAS Home Page]

Dialogue Excerpts:

Bartlet:  What'd you think?

Toby:  I thought my work was outstanding, Mr. President.

Bartlet:  I thought you would.

Toby:  Thanks for asking.  I couldn't help but notice you got a little extemporaneous there in the D section.

Bartlet:  Oh, you noticed that, did you?

Toby:  Yes, I did.

Bartlet:  I gave it a little polish right there on my feet.

Toby:  Yes, indeed.

Bartlet:  Right in front of everybody.  I looked to the side at one point, you know, I half-expected to see you coming at me with a salad fork.

Toby:  Well, but for the Secret Service Agents restraining me, sir.

Bartlet:  Thank God for the Secret Service.

Josh:  It's a crappy law.

Hoynes:  Nah.

Josh:  No, it is.  I should know.  I helped write it.

Hoynes:  You did very well.

Josh:  I'd say it's roughly the equivalent of fighting the war on Big Tobacco by banning certain color matchbook covers.

Hoynes:  Well, these things happen slowly.

Josh:  Say, you did well, sir.  In fact, you may be the only one who did.  I just came by to say congratulations.