The West Wing s02e13 Episode Script
Bartlet's Third State of the Union
Previously on The West Wing : -A woman named Ainsley Hayes.
-Aimsley? -Hire her.
-Welcome to the White House.
-Your poll says that? -I said that.
-" Vox populi, vox Dei.
" -"The voice of the people is the voice of a dog "? -"The voice of God, " Joshua.
-God.
Y es.
-Hello, pumpkin.
-Abbey? Hello, gumdrop.
Shake my hand.
-We just formed it.
-Formed what? The Committee to Re-elect the President.
We are minutes away from the president's entrance onto the floor of the House of Representatives.
It's his third State of the Union address.
We 'll hear the introduction from the doorkeeper of the House, Edgar Finney.
Some people don 't know that in order for the president to address Congress he must receive permission from the Speaker.
I ' m still here.
AII right.
Is that a yes? Is it a yes? -Sam? -Give me half a minute.
Ed.
Delete "vigorously" from the first sentence.
-Which paragraph? -Three, section seven.
We' re not gonna vigorously pursue campaign finance reform? -We' re just gonna pursue it.
-Not vigorously? Not tonight.
McGowan feels "vigorous" is inflammatory.
-Change "chokehold " to "tight grip.
" -Is that it? -No, Sam's still on.
-We got four minutes.
-Where are we? -Sam's still on.
Bob Novak said this was the speech of my political Iife.
Know how many times I've heard that? -We' re fine if we cut "vigorously.
" -Do it.
-How you feeling? -Good.
-Abbey's already in her seat? -Y es, sir.
-My wife's in her seat? -Y es, sir.
-We got four minutes.
-Get him in the car.
Let's go.
I' m gonna tell him it's a yes.
Thank you.
-What'd they say? -We put our weight behind S.
B.
380.
-Highway Improvement Bill.
-And? -Set aside park Iand.
-What else? -That's it.
-I wanna be clear.
The understanding : We build a highway, name a park after him, get his support for the BIue Ribbon? -Mr.
President? -Do it.
Ginger? T ell C.
J.
it's a green Iight on the BIue Ribbon.
She'II know.
-Yes, sir.
-We'II write it in the car.
Sir? -It's a good thing.
-The BIue Ribbon? Excuse me.
What are you doing? Putting gum in your mouth? It's a good idea to chew gum when you' re taking a poll for the president.
That's a sound people Iike to hear.
The polling hasn't started yet.
-Well, thank you, Mr.
Helper.
-Josh.
-These people have done this before.
-They' re not our people.
-They' re Joey Lucas' people.
-None have accents? -They' re out of the Midwest.
-I' m saying Joey Lucas is deaf-- -Josh.
-Do any of you people have accents? Oh, my God.
Do any of you people have the power of speech? -They' re fine.
-I should be there right now.
He's fine.
Therefore, I am asking the Ieaders of Congress and members of both parties to join me in establishing a BIue Ribbon National Commission to fashion-- I want it for him when he walks in the door.
Gail Schumer, can we expect the White House will be doing its own polling? Better believe it.
This may be the speech of the president 's political life.
Excuse me.
I ' ve got a heads up.
There' II be a Iast-minute addition.
The president will announce a BIue Ribbon Commission to study the Iong-term future of entitlement programs.
-There'II be more details in the address.
-Why Iast-minute? You know, when I say "Iast-minute" I' m wrong.
We' re just under three minutes.
-C.
J.
, why Iast-minute? -He's been going back and forth on it.
He wanted support with Democratic Ieadership.
-And he does? -Y es.
I remind you Capital Beat is broadcasting from the west wing for the hours following the address.
So that area is off-Iimits for carousing.
Capital Beat's doing post-game Iive from the White House? -Y es.
-So why do they get special treatment? Because they' re special.
Enjoy the show, everybody.
"T o build this future will demand setting aside our partisan blinders and abandoning our ideological.
" What? " Entrenchment.
" "T o build this future will demand setting aside our partisan blinders and abandoning our ideological entrenchment.
" -That's it.
-Okay.
-This is it.
-Y eah.
Phone it to the prompter.
Mr.
President.
-Mr.
President.
-Thanks.
Sir.
-Amen.
-Amen.
Mr.
Finney, would you tell the Speaker I'd Iike to see him, please? Mr.
Speaker! The president of the United States! An America that's continued to rise through every age, against every challenge a people of great works and greater possibilities who have always always found the wisdom and strength to come together as one nation to widen the circle of opportunity, to deepen the meaning of our freedom to form a more perfect union.
Our best days lie ahead.
God bless you.
And God bless the United States of America.
-He did good.
-He can bring it up there.
Up there is where this president eats.
That is his place of business.
Yes, he did well.
-Let's find out how well.
-This is exciting.
-Y es.
So, what do I do? -What do you mean? -What do I tell them? -T o start.
Didn't you talk to Joey? What'd she say? -Her plane was Iate.
-What'd she say to tell callers? -She didn't say anything.
-Donna! -T ell them to start.
-Do they receive instructions based on--? What? Time zones? I don't know.
I' m not a pollster.
I thought Joey called.
-She was Iate.
-When's she gonna be here? Joshua Lyman, you have the cutest Iittle butt in professional politics.
Really, that better have been her talking.
-I' m here.
-Where the hell you been? -PIane had mechanical difficulties.
-There was nothing you could do? No.
As a child, I never paid attention during airplane mechanics class.
Is this the Noel Cowardesque wit I can expect all night? Yes.
Start the phone banks.
They need instructions.
-Is anyone chewing gum? -No! Okay, start.
I had taken care of the gum thing.
In five, four, three.
Live from the White House, it's Capital Beat with Mark Gottfried.
Tonight on Capital Beat, a special expanded edition: The State of the Union.
Good evening.
I'm Mark Gottfried and tonight our show is live from the White House.
We 'll be joined all night by Republicans and Democrats Iawmakers and pundits, and we 'll talk to focus groups around the country.
On the panel with me now is Deputy House Majority Whip Henry Shallick.
And the very Iovely, very talented Miss CIaudia Jean Cregg White House press secretary.
C.
J.
On a scale of one to 1 0, how did he do? Fourteen.
You know, Mark, the president is a commanding public speaker and the bar is set higher when he makes a major address but tonight he cleared it with room to spare.
My unofficial tally has him interrupted for applause 73 times.
I have 72 times, but I'II take your count.
Henry Shallick, how did the president do tonight? Well, C.
J.
is right.
The president is a gifted public speaker.
We've always known that, and it's an admirable talent, not unlike juggling.
If only he said something.
By my count, were for co-opted Republican ideas.
Let's break.
We' re getting started with our post-game analysis of the president's third State of the Union address.
We've got guests around the country.
We'II be back with more Capital Beat - right after this.
-We' re out.
-C.
J.
's not wearing pants.
-Y es.
-No pants whatsoever.
-It's cable.
Carol? -Ninety seconds back.
-Could I see you a moment? -Could I see you over there? -How about here? I' m not wearing pants.
-Can we do it here? -As Iong as there aren't microphones.
Carol? -Thank you.
-You Iook Iike a Rockette.
-Y eah.
-You know why I' m not wearing pants? -I assumed it was the usual reason.
-I sat in paint.
I went to the sculpture garden to get some air.
-I sat on a bench.
-Didn't say "wet paint"? -It did, it turns out.
-CIothes are coming.
-Where'd you get the bathrobe? -Gym.
-Bathrobes? -Women's Iocker room.
Not the men's.
That's outrageous.
A thousand men work here and 50 women.
And it's the bathrobes that's outrageous.
-What's going on? -Jack SIoan has an official reprimand.
-For what? -Excessive force.
-How Iong ago? -Seventeen years ago.
A criminal charge was dismissed.
There was a civil suit, it was dismissed.
There is enormous pressure from Iocal black Democrats.
-Our people? -1 7 years ago.
So they gave him an official condemnation.
-Anybody have the story? -They will.
-1 0 seconds.
-I need to see the police officer.
-What was his name? -SIoan.
AII right.
T ake the desk away, I pick up 3 share points.
In five, four, three.
We 're back with our panel: Deputy House Majority Whip Henry Shallick and White House Press Secretary C.
J.
Cregg.
-Welcome back.
-How did it Iook on TV? It Iooked good.
Charlie, is it possible that C.
J.
isn't wearing any pants right now? Yeah.
She sat in wet paint.
And she's not wearing any pants? Well, she's wearing underwear, Mrs.
Landingham.
She hasn't gone smokeless.
Okay.
I didn't understand this note.
The president balanced his checkbook.
He found an outstanding check for $500 that was never cashed.
The check was written by the first Iady to a woman the president never heard of.
He'd Iike you to ask her about it.
The president balanced his checkbook? -Why? -He does it to relax.
-Okay.
-Y eah.
Why doesn't he just ask the first Iady about the $500 check himself in the normal course of, you know, being married to her? When the president inquires into the first Iady's bookkeeping she gets angry with him and yells.
She's gonna get angry and yell when I inquire.
-The president doesn't care about that.
-Yeah.
Okay.
This is a good job.
-I saw you on TV.
-Cool.
To build this future will demand setting aside our partisan blinders and abandoning our ideological entrenchment.
Therefore, I am asking the leaders of Congress and members of both parties to join me in establishing a Blue Ribbon National Commission to fashion-- --boldly setting aside our partisan blinders and abandoning our ideological entrenchment.
Therefore -Come in.
-I am asking the leaders of Congress and members of both parties to join me in establishing a Blue Ribbon - national commission to fashion-- -Mrs.
Bartlet? -Hey, Charlie.
-Am I disturbing you? -I just came up to change my clothes.
-Did you sit in paint? -I' m sorry? -C.
J.
sat on wet paint.
In the sculpture garden? No.
I' m not supposed to go to the reception in the same clothes in which I went to the speech.
I could tell people I have two outfits exactly alike.
-That's what I'd do.
-What do you need? Bear in mind that I' m not wearing pads, a helmet or contact gear of any kind.
A $500 check that hasn't been cashed.
It's written to a woman-- -Oh, how Iong has that been up his ass? -Well, I wouldn't know, ma'am, but-- Her name is Jane Robinson.
I read an article a few months ago.
-Her husband threw her out? -He set fire to the bed.
-Christmas presents were ruined.
-I sent her $500.
She hasn't cashed it.
I'II make sure she got it.
Thank you, ma'am.
--in establishing a Blue Ribbon National Commission.
Hey, it's Sam Seaborn, everybody.
See? You guys said I couldn't write comedy.
You talked to C.
J.
? The dial groups are huge.
Middle-class tax cuts, Social Security-- -What about polling? -Josh and Joey will have numbers.
My point is, this police officer? The president asked him to stand.
-Leo.
-Let C.
J.
talk to him.
Is he here? No pictures anywhere near the president.
They need you in the Situation Room.
-What's going on? -Leo, we believe five U.
S.
DEA agents - have been abducted in Colombia.
-Where? On a road between Bogotá and a training base in Putumayo.
-Was it the CRF? -We don't know.
Do we think it was the CRF? Can agents be identified as U S.
DEA? -They' re carrying badges.
-On a road from Bogotá to Putumayo? They' re gonna shoot these guys.
The White House press corps is upstairs.
And there's a Iive TV show being broadcast next door.
I need to meet with State Justice and the Pentagon, and it needs to happen softly.
Yes, sir.
This was almost a good night.
Good evening.
My name 's Melissa.
I'm from the National Strategies Group in Washington D.
C.
I' m taking a poll for the president of the United States.
-Are you a voting-age member? -I' m taking a poll for the president.
Donna.
It's going well.
It's a 1 7 percent response rate.
-Great.
-Jack SIoan was reprimanded for excessive force by the Detroit Police Department.
-How Iong ago? -Seventeen years.
-What happened? -I don't know.
He made a bust.
He broke the guy's Ieg.
DA couldn't make the case.
The civil suit was dismissed, but it's there.
-Who's Jack SIoan? -From tonight.
-The police officer.
-I wasn't there.
I was on a plane with difficulties.
Officer Jack SIoan of the Detroit Police Department was added at the Iast minute to the invited guests recognized - by the president during the speech.
-He was the cop-- At the elementary school? -He wasn't vetted? -It was Iast-minute.
-When do I see numbers? -It's going good.
-When do I see numbers? -There's a 1 7 percent response rate.
-Fantastic! When do I see numbers? -You need patience.
I need numbers, T onto.
-The poll's an hour old.
-You get early numbers.
-You'II have them.
-In the meantime? I' m getting a doughnut.
Okay.
We' re plagued by this nonsense, Donna.
It's reaching epidemic proportions.
Those numbers are gonna tell us we had a big night.
The bounce is gonna be dragged down by a news cycle -that won't shake the cop story.
-You should ask her out.
-I' m sorry? -Ask Joey out.
-T onight could be the night.
-The night to do what? -T o ask her out.
-Get a doughnut.
Okay.
Before we go to commercial, let me ask for predictions.
How big a bump does the president get off the speech? -Excuse me.
Mr.
Secretary? -Y es? Sorry to interrupt.
Leo McGarry was wondering if you'd come say hello -to an old friend of his? -Certainly.
-Would you excuse me? -It's quite all right.
-Sit Room.
-Thank you.
Are we verifying exactly who was at the Iab? We verified Agents McGrath and Nun, but we still can't confirm the other three.
-I don't want to misnotify the families.
-Leo.
Mickey, 2 p.
m.
Iocal time in Bogotá five DEA agents assisting police in evidence-gathering at a cocaine Iab were taken by the CRF.
-Are they alive? -We think so.
Okay.
Putumayo is a Frente stronghold.
The agents were at one of their top-producing cocaine Iabs.
We open a dialogue through Colombian army commanders.
-Who are they talking to? -I think it's Nelson Guerra.
-He's a Frente jefe.
-Get me everything on him.
-Y es, sir.
-Is anybody close by on the ground? -The closest we've got is T res Encinas.
-Who's there? Six commanders and 1 3 support.
Really? How many people are gonna guard where these guys are taken to? -Five, 600.
-Not the numbers you' re hoping for for a massive attack and rescue mission.
No.
T ell Special Operations at Ft.
Bragg to submit plans for unilateral op.
-They have an hour.
-Yes.
We should Iet these 1 9 guys at T res Encinas know they' re in it now.
Y es, sir.
I challenge all our schools to teach character education.
To teach values.
To teach citizenship.
If it means our kids 'll pay more attention to mathematics and English literature and history and science and the arts and less attention to designer labels then public schools should be able to require students to wear school uniforms.
" School uniforms " from a Iiberal Democrat.
What was that sound we just heard? Joining us now on our panel is Associate White House Counsel Ainsley Hayes.
T o my Ieft, Gretchen Tyler, director of public education for the ACLU.
Gretchen, Iet's start with you.
Were you surprised? I was surprised, Mark.
I was disappointed.
This president has always had strong First Amendment credentials.
-What's the position of the ACLU? -The position of the ACLU is that every child in the country has a Iegal right to public school education.
And that right can't be conditioned upon compliance with a uniform policy.
-Ainsley? -I think Gretchen's point is well taken in that I'm not 100% sure what the president suggested was constitutional.
What I can tell you is, he 's concerned about the kid who 's left out because he can 't afford the clothes his friends wear.
He 's also taken serious notice of any number of studies done by education experts that say, by and large kids will do better wearing uniforms.
It should be noted that there already are dress restrictions on public school kids.
T hey' re not allowed to wear inappropriate clothing or something obscene on their T -shirt.
It should also be noted those restrictions were over the strong objection of the ACLU.
Ainsley, gage for us how strongly the president feels about this.
He included it in a State of the Union.
But from your conversations with him personally.
I haven't had conversations with him.
-On this? -On anything.
I've never met him.
I' m an associate counsel.
The Chinese food guy's got more access than I do.
Y et they have you out here speaking for the White House? Yeah, it's a really big night for me.
We'II be back with Gretchen Tyler and Ainsley Hayes and more guests as the night goes on.
We' re gonna send you to New Y ork for other news.
-Here's Frank and Judy.
-We' re out.
-You crack me up.
-Thank you.
-Hey, Gracie.
-Hey, Sam.
-Mark, does she have time? -It's a five-minute news break.
-Have you been watching? -Y es.
Aren't I delightful? Yes.
You know what I'd Iike? I'd Iike it if you didn't say you weren't The ACLU has a reasonable case against the president.
They do a fine job making it without the help of the president's Iawyer.
-That's fair.
-You never met the president? -I haven't.
-You've been here for months.
He works in the Oval Office.
I work in steampipe trunk distribution.
-We haven't run into each other.
-I'II set it up.
-Meet him tonight.
It's no problem.
-Yes, it is.
-Scared to meet him? -I' m not scared.
-You are.
-I am not scared - because I' m not gonna.
-Ainsley.
I' m having a good night.
I wanna keep having it.
I don't wanna fear the inevitable bungling of Ianguage -that will occur, and the mortification.
-Sounds bad.
I am.
Y es, I am indeed.
Y es, I am scared to meet the president.
-It sounds really bad.
Okay.
-Y es.
-When you meet him, you meet him.
-No need to rush that day along.
Right.
Okay, can I talk to you about adrenaline for a second? -Adrenaline? -Y eah.
You' re feeling it now.
There will be more because it's a big night.
You never experienced this before.
-Think I'II have a nutty? -Don't drink till you' re off television.
God! Thanks for that debating tip.
Your feel for nuance! I shouldn't be drunk when representing the White House.
Yeah.
And don't forget you' re a blond Republican girl and that nobody Iikes you.
-I' m going back on television now.
-T ry and remember you' re on our side.
Thank you, thank you.
Sam Seaborn wrote that Iine for me.
There's a Iot of polling going on right now.
The instant-dial focus groups predict tonight's speech was a success.
And I' m sure where Josh is over at the phone banks they'II be confirming that.
But when numbers are crunched and polls are taken I think everyone here realizes that the truly important thing is that I changed my hair.
Seriously, this is not my official toast.
My official toast is Iater.
I just wanted to say informally before the president got here thank you so much for your hard work.
And enjoy tonight's success.
-Your hair Iooks great, by the way.
-So, what's going on with Jack SIoan? C.
J.
's on it.
So we were able to get in the Ianguage about the BIue Ribbon Commission.
We were able to get it in Iast-minute.
We got our guys.
We changed the Ianguage to broaden-- I was there, Leo.
We changed the Ianguage at the Iast minute.
You wanna be pissed, the architect of this speech-- I don't wanna be pissed at anyone.
But thanks for asking.
And I don't need to be told who the architect of tonight's speech was.
It's T oby Ziegler! In your office in half an hour.
Got it? -Yes, ma'am.
-Keep shaking hands.
-He didn 't say that.
-Hang on.
He didn 't say that, and we can roll the tape.
-He said-- -He said standardized testing would be more acceptable if its limitations were understood.
What about the New York City testing scores Hal Chafey just cited a while ago? -Six out of 1 0 were black or Hispanic.
-Chafey forgot to mention that six out of 1 0 of those students were black or Hispanic.
-On the button.
-Josh-- -No.
We' re still doing this? -Have you asked her out? -Donna.
-The Iast time I asked, you hadn't.
-What is taking so Iong? -"Would you Iike to go out Friday night? " You have to say it.
You have to ask a girl on a date.
You can't just randomly tumble into a girl and hope she breaks up with you as always.
-Why not? -Because you can't.
-You said I always do.
-I can help you or not.
It's up to you.
-I choose not helping me.
-Want me to ask her for you? -Y eah.
That's exactly what I want.
-Joey.
Sit down.
Where are the first numbers? -Soon.
-How soon? -Five minutes.
-You said that 1 5 minutes ago.
-The response rate slowed down.
-Why? -People are going to bed.
-But the response rate didn't stop, right? Everybody didn't go to bed.
If they did, that would be phenomenal.
The response rate slowed down and you need to have some juice and crackers.
America is talking and I' m trying to hear what they' re saying.
They' re saying that you' re an egomaniac who needs to know the public Ioves you.
And you'II have the numbers in five minutes.
I don't think that is what they' re saying, but, absent information-- -Josh-- -Joey, it's the State of the Union.
-We worked on the speech three months.
-You will hear America speaking.
-In five minutes? -In five minutes.
-What the hell? -My computer's down.
It may take a Iittle Ionger now.
Excuse me.
But this White House uses the First Amendment to protect flag burning pornography, to ban school prayer.
Why, when the Second Amendment clearly says that the federal government will not infringe upon a citizen's right -to keep and bear arms-- -It doesn't say that.
The only way it says that is if you remove words.
-You' re-- -It says, "A well-regulated militia being necessary for security of a free state, government shall not infringe.
" " Regulated " and " militia" are in the first sentence.
I don't think the framers were thinking of guys in a Dodge Durango.
-You don't know what they' re thinking.
-No.
If you combine the populations of Great Britain, France, Germany Japan, Switzerland, Sweden, Denmark and Australia, you get a population roughly the size of the United States.
We had 32,000 gun deaths Iast year.
They had 1 1 2.
Think it's because Americans are more homicidal by nature? Or do you think it's because those guys have gun control Iaws? We' re gonna talk to some people and hear answers to that question.
You' re watching an expanded edition of Capital Beat.
Live from the west wing of the White House.
-We'II be back after this.
-We' re out.
T oby.
I' m gonna sit out the next segment.
I gotta see someone.
We'II get you a body.
-Has she been waiting Iong? -No.
-Sorry I' m Iate.
-That's fine.
-On the air.
-I want to ask-- -Mrs.
Bartlet.
-T oby? Excuse me.
I want to remind you there's press coming in and out of this area.
Are you under the impression I am going to have a fit of some kind? -No, ma'am.
-So, what was the deal? A highway and a park named after him? -The BIue Ribbon-- -The BIue Ribbon Commission is swell.
I am not talking about the BIue Ribbon Commission.
And don't talk to me Iike I' m other people.
You've never done that! It was the Ianguage.
-Mrs.
Bartlet-- -The draft I read said : "The first fiscal priority of the government must be, will be ensuring Social Security and Medicare.
" Now, how did that turn into " boldly setting aside our partisan blinders"? -White House considering new options? -Look-- -Raising retirement age? -Abbey-- How did school uniforms get a prominent spot? It was in a section on education reform, Abbey.
Considering other options doesn't mean we' re caving on retirement age.
So, what was your concern with the Ianguage? The draft said: " Our commitment to the full benefits promised to America's greatest generation is absolute.
" -I was there when you wrote it.
-Our commitment is absolute.
We' re open to new ideas, as it said.
-Oh, please! -Believe me.
We gave Republicans plenty to be pissed about.
The surplus, missile defense, capital gains.
I was just on TV for the 900th time and alienated gun owners to say nothing of people who own Dodge Durangos.
So, what exactly was your problem with the Ianguage? It seemed.
-Abbey? -I was thrown by Iast-minute changes.
You should get back on TV.
He's here? -Officer SIoan? -Y es, ma'am? I' m C.
J.
Cregg, press secretary.
Sorry to get you out of the party.
It's all right.
I' m sorry to be abrupt, but I' m racing the clock a Iittle.
Could you tell me what happened with a suspect named Walter T appis? I can access information through the FBI.
I can call Wayne County DA-- -Do I need a Iawyer? -I don't think so, but if you'd Iike-- No.
It was an armed robbery in progress.
I was pursuing Walter T appis on foot through a series of fenced-in storage areas behind a warehouse.
I apprehended him and tried to cuff him.
During it he broke my hand and nose.
-So you fractured his Ieg? -I didn't fracture his Ieg.
He said you kicked him repeatedly while he was handcuffed.
He was suing the city for five million dollars.
What possible motivation would he have to Iie? -Officer-- -He was 1 9 years old, 6' 2", 1 90 pounds.
He won two bronze medals at state high school track and field championships.
Miss Cregg, Iook at me.
Do you think I'd catch up to this guy if his Ieg isn't fractured already? It didn't happen.
Why didn't you tell anybody this was on your record when you were invited here? I just assumed.
I mean, because of what happened over the weekend at the elementary school.
I assumed, you know, that it was okay now, that I was okay.
I didn't think it was gonna come up again.
-Does the press know? -No, but I have to tell them.
-Why? -They'II find out.
I have to stay ahead of the pitch.
If I issue a statement it doesn't Iook Iike we' re trying to hide anything.
I control the story for a while.
-There is no story.
-Officer-- The DA couldn't bring a case.
The civil suit was dismissed.
The president pointed to you as an example.
-I am an example.
-It's a story.
-Because you' re giving it to them.
-They'II find it anyway.
-You don't know that.
-Y es, I do.
My wife and kids are back at the party.
You should go back there.
Don't talk to anybody about this.
I wish you'd said something to us before.
Yeah.
I just assumed.
I thought it was okay now.
-Okay.
Good news.
-What's happening? The electric power company says outage was caused by a 1 3,000-volt cable that caught fire in a building on N Street and Wisconsin.
-How is that good news? -We have hard information.
-When's the power back on? -That information isn't available.
-Donna? -The outage affects 2000 customers.
And it was Iikely started when a repairman misspliced something.
Call Sam.
-I want the numbers! -Everybody else is having fun with this.
You' re the only one who's having fun.
Nobody else is.
Boo! How are you doing? -Are those numbers safe? -Y es.
Are we gonna be able to make West Coast calls? -That depends when the power goes on.
-When's that? -T onight.
-Do I Iook Iike EIectricity Girl? -No.
-I' m thinking of Ieading a song.
Is that Sam? Give him to me.
-Sam? -What's going on? -The power's down.
-I know.
We' re minutes away from an East Coast sample.
-Got nothing west of Indiana or IIIinois.
- You need anything? A Iightning bolt, a key and a kite.
Donna told me to tell you to ask out Joey Lucas.
-Can I tell you? Donna's been acting-- -I gotta go.
We' re in.
-Sir.
-How's it going? -Lost power at National Strategies.
-I heard.
-Well done.
-Thank you.
Listen, you scored big on some of the stuff I fought you on.
-Y es.
I know a way you can repay me.
-Repay you for what? -For you being wrong, me being right.
-I owe you money? -Not money, sir.
-I owe you anything? -Great job, Mr.
President.
-Thanks.
Ainsley Hayes has worked here three months.
She's frightened of meeting you.
If you run into her in the halls maybe you could introduce yourself and welcome her personally.
-Don't you already get paid? -In the hallways, in the next few days you are bound to be in the same place.
I' m just-- -Mr.
President.
-Hang on.
Is there anything in particular you'd Iike me to say? If you said something along the Iines of: " People assumed you were hired because you' re a blond, Republican sex kitten.
They were obviously wrong.
" And to keep up the good work.
That's really good.
Mr.
President.
-Mr.
President.
-The police officer? -C.
J.
's Iooking into it.
-We' re gonna get knocked off the story-- The cop isn't what's gonna knock us off the story.
-What is? -We have a situation in Colombia.
-They can be identified as agents? -They' re dressed as civilians.
-But they've got DEA badges.
-Y eah, they may have blown their cover.
-Sir.
-How do we know they' re still alive? Human sources paid by the national police -confirm they' re in a CRF outpost.
-They kill our guys unless Santos releases Juan Aguilar from a prison in Bogotá.
-The Colombian government won't.
-It doesn't matter.
-Why? -The Frente doesn't care about Aguilar and how Iong he stays in jail, they want to kill these guys.
-I don't think-- -They want to drag their bodies.
These people provide 70 percent of the world's cocaine.
They have 1 22,000 hectares of coca.
The Putumayo region alone produced $400 million in cocaine Iast year.
The government has no control over the region.
There is no Iaw.
They' re gonna shoot these guys in the head and have a parade.
If they wanted to kill them, they'd be dead.
-Robbie.
-Okay, Mr.
President.
This plan is called Cassiopeia.
Three MH-60 BIack Hawks two MH-6 Little Birds and an AC-1 30 gunship.
Each BIack Hawk has 1 0 Delta commandos from Special Forces.
-How Iong? -Five to seven minutes.
-How many Frente casualties? -Do you care? -No.
-Mr.
President.
I want to urge that we continue negotiating.
-You think we' re headed for Vietnam? -If we attack, the Frente'II hit back.
-How? -I think they'II bomb our embassy.
I think they will kill diplomats and citizens in captivity.
AII require a military response.
It could unify the drug Iords.
It could destabilize the region.
It could Iead to a war.
Lead to a war, we' re in a war.
We' re sending people down there to fight a war on drugs.
Those guys aren't hostages, they' re prisoners.
How Iong's it gonna take Special Forces to mobilize? They' re in 1 41 s now on their way to T res Encinas.
You can give them a "go" order in three hours.
Well, then, I want our people to keep talking to Nelson Guerra.
In three hours, be ready to kick in the back door.
-Yes, sir.
-Leo, I'd Iike the senior staff.
-Would you round them up? -Y es, sir.
-I' m gonna be wandering the halls.
-Thank you.
Thank you, sir.
You know what I' m surprised about? -What? -We haven't seen a Iot of Iooting.
Usually in these cases you see Iooting.
General civil unrest.
-People get on each other's nerves.
-Okay.
Joey, can I ask you what may be a silly question? -Sure.
-It's not possible, is it to just open up one of these computers with a screwdriver and get the numbers? -Why'd you think that's a silly question? -I want these numbers! Josh? Sam.
-You gotta come back.
- What's going on? I don't know.
Leo wants everybody back.
Leave Joey and Donna for a while.
I'II be right there.
Ginger? Isn't Ainsley Hayes supposed to meet me? -She's in her office.
-Isn't she to meet me here? -She needs to meet you in her office.
-Why? She can't wear her pants.
Ainsley? -I hardly know where to start.
-I was feeling good after my segments -so I went to the sculpture garden.
-You know -there's a "wet paint" sign.
-My assistant went to get me clothes.
-Why are you moving Iike that? -I' m blaming it on the bossa nova.
I know what you mean about that adrenaline high, I definitely think I got it.
The bartender made me a Pink Squirrel.
So you see, I am not the teetotaler you think I am.
-Is there alcohol in that at all? -A dash of crème de cacao, my friend.
-I came down here to tell you-- -Oh, dance with me, Sam.
-What's up? -Oh, Mr.
President.
I never knew we had a nightclub down here.
Oh, my God! Mr.
President, I don't believe you've met Ainsley Hayes.
Y eah, Ainsley, I wanted to say hello and to mention, you know people assumed you were hired because you were a blond Republican sex kitten and, well, they' re obviously wrong.
-Keep up the good work.
-Y es, sir.
-Know we' re meeting? -Y es, sir.
Okay.
That could've been worse.
No, probably not.
T ake us behind the scenes.
What are the president and first Iady doing right now? The reception's still going on, I don't know if you can hear the music.
They are Iikely to stay up Iate with friends.
AII right, we' re staying up Iate too.
Maybe we'II get invited to the party.
We' re gonna take a break and come right back.
-We' re out.
-How you holding up? You got a second? I've Iaid off it because we've done things together.
-I didn't want to ambush you-- -SIoan? -Yeah.
C.
J.
-Mark.
I talked to the guy.
Before the stampede begins, give me a-- C.
J.
? -Let me talk to you before-- -C.
J.
? Leo McGarry would Iike you to meet a friend.
-Give me 20 minutes.
-Why? -We've done things together.
-I' m Iooking at my watch.
-They said you were here.
-Just for a minute.
Fellas? -You' re mad at me.
-You know what, I' m not your mommy.
Abbey, so I indicated we were open to new ideas, how did I fail you this time? You didn't fail anybody.
They've been giving you some pretty decent style points.
I have a meeting.
At what point in the process did you decide not to mention -the Violence Against Women Act? -Things had to be cut.
Jane Robinson, by the way, is the name of the woman I made the check out to.
It wasn't cashed because she framed it.
Charlie tracked her down at a women's shelter.
That's what made me think about the Violence Against Women's Act.
T o make a 90-minute speech into an 80-minute speech, things had to go.
It's good it didn't have to be shorter, or school uniforms might not have made it.
We had a deal.
-Right now-- -We made a promise.
We made a deal! When did you decide you were gonna run for a second term? -That's not what tonight's speech-- -That's all tonight's speech was about! You kicked off your re-election campaign.
And I' m sitting here, eating a sandwich because we had a deal.
That was three years ago.
I have Special Forces headed to Colombia on ready-alert.
-They'II be ready in Iess than three hours.
-What happened? The Frente took five DEA agents in Putumayo.
Mr.
President? Senior staff's together.
-I'II be right there.
-Y es, sir.
-Abbey-- -No, you gotta focus right now.
AII right.
-I've gotta go.
-I'II stay up with you.
Welcome back.
If you 're just joining us, we 're live tonight from the west wing of the White House with an all-star panel.
We 're talking about the State of the Union.
It appears that it 's a blockbuster.
Claire Willow joins us now from the Chicago Sun-Times.
-Aimsley? -Hire her.
-Welcome to the White House.
-Your poll says that? -I said that.
-" Vox populi, vox Dei.
" -"The voice of the people is the voice of a dog "? -"The voice of God, " Joshua.
-God.
Y es.
-Hello, pumpkin.
-Abbey? Hello, gumdrop.
Shake my hand.
-We just formed it.
-Formed what? The Committee to Re-elect the President.
We are minutes away from the president's entrance onto the floor of the House of Representatives.
It's his third State of the Union address.
We 'll hear the introduction from the doorkeeper of the House, Edgar Finney.
Some people don 't know that in order for the president to address Congress he must receive permission from the Speaker.
I ' m still here.
AII right.
Is that a yes? Is it a yes? -Sam? -Give me half a minute.
Ed.
Delete "vigorously" from the first sentence.
-Which paragraph? -Three, section seven.
We' re not gonna vigorously pursue campaign finance reform? -We' re just gonna pursue it.
-Not vigorously? Not tonight.
McGowan feels "vigorous" is inflammatory.
-Change "chokehold " to "tight grip.
" -Is that it? -No, Sam's still on.
-We got four minutes.
-Where are we? -Sam's still on.
Bob Novak said this was the speech of my political Iife.
Know how many times I've heard that? -We' re fine if we cut "vigorously.
" -Do it.
-How you feeling? -Good.
-Abbey's already in her seat? -Y es, sir.
-My wife's in her seat? -Y es, sir.
-We got four minutes.
-Get him in the car.
Let's go.
I' m gonna tell him it's a yes.
Thank you.
-What'd they say? -We put our weight behind S.
B.
380.
-Highway Improvement Bill.
-And? -Set aside park Iand.
-What else? -That's it.
-I wanna be clear.
The understanding : We build a highway, name a park after him, get his support for the BIue Ribbon? -Mr.
President? -Do it.
Ginger? T ell C.
J.
it's a green Iight on the BIue Ribbon.
She'II know.
-Yes, sir.
-We'II write it in the car.
Sir? -It's a good thing.
-The BIue Ribbon? Excuse me.
What are you doing? Putting gum in your mouth? It's a good idea to chew gum when you' re taking a poll for the president.
That's a sound people Iike to hear.
The polling hasn't started yet.
-Well, thank you, Mr.
Helper.
-Josh.
-These people have done this before.
-They' re not our people.
-They' re Joey Lucas' people.
-None have accents? -They' re out of the Midwest.
-I' m saying Joey Lucas is deaf-- -Josh.
-Do any of you people have accents? Oh, my God.
Do any of you people have the power of speech? -They' re fine.
-I should be there right now.
He's fine.
Therefore, I am asking the Ieaders of Congress and members of both parties to join me in establishing a BIue Ribbon National Commission to fashion-- I want it for him when he walks in the door.
Gail Schumer, can we expect the White House will be doing its own polling? Better believe it.
This may be the speech of the president 's political life.
Excuse me.
I ' ve got a heads up.
There' II be a Iast-minute addition.
The president will announce a BIue Ribbon Commission to study the Iong-term future of entitlement programs.
-There'II be more details in the address.
-Why Iast-minute? You know, when I say "Iast-minute" I' m wrong.
We' re just under three minutes.
-C.
J.
, why Iast-minute? -He's been going back and forth on it.
He wanted support with Democratic Ieadership.
-And he does? -Y es.
I remind you Capital Beat is broadcasting from the west wing for the hours following the address.
So that area is off-Iimits for carousing.
Capital Beat's doing post-game Iive from the White House? -Y es.
-So why do they get special treatment? Because they' re special.
Enjoy the show, everybody.
"T o build this future will demand setting aside our partisan blinders and abandoning our ideological.
" What? " Entrenchment.
" "T o build this future will demand setting aside our partisan blinders and abandoning our ideological entrenchment.
" -That's it.
-Okay.
-This is it.
-Y eah.
Phone it to the prompter.
Mr.
President.
-Mr.
President.
-Thanks.
Sir.
-Amen.
-Amen.
Mr.
Finney, would you tell the Speaker I'd Iike to see him, please? Mr.
Speaker! The president of the United States! An America that's continued to rise through every age, against every challenge a people of great works and greater possibilities who have always always found the wisdom and strength to come together as one nation to widen the circle of opportunity, to deepen the meaning of our freedom to form a more perfect union.
Our best days lie ahead.
God bless you.
And God bless the United States of America.
-He did good.
-He can bring it up there.
Up there is where this president eats.
That is his place of business.
Yes, he did well.
-Let's find out how well.
-This is exciting.
-Y es.
So, what do I do? -What do you mean? -What do I tell them? -T o start.
Didn't you talk to Joey? What'd she say? -Her plane was Iate.
-What'd she say to tell callers? -She didn't say anything.
-Donna! -T ell them to start.
-Do they receive instructions based on--? What? Time zones? I don't know.
I' m not a pollster.
I thought Joey called.
-She was Iate.
-When's she gonna be here? Joshua Lyman, you have the cutest Iittle butt in professional politics.
Really, that better have been her talking.
-I' m here.
-Where the hell you been? -PIane had mechanical difficulties.
-There was nothing you could do? No.
As a child, I never paid attention during airplane mechanics class.
Is this the Noel Cowardesque wit I can expect all night? Yes.
Start the phone banks.
They need instructions.
-Is anyone chewing gum? -No! Okay, start.
I had taken care of the gum thing.
In five, four, three.
Live from the White House, it's Capital Beat with Mark Gottfried.
Tonight on Capital Beat, a special expanded edition: The State of the Union.
Good evening.
I'm Mark Gottfried and tonight our show is live from the White House.
We 'll be joined all night by Republicans and Democrats Iawmakers and pundits, and we 'll talk to focus groups around the country.
On the panel with me now is Deputy House Majority Whip Henry Shallick.
And the very Iovely, very talented Miss CIaudia Jean Cregg White House press secretary.
C.
J.
On a scale of one to 1 0, how did he do? Fourteen.
You know, Mark, the president is a commanding public speaker and the bar is set higher when he makes a major address but tonight he cleared it with room to spare.
My unofficial tally has him interrupted for applause 73 times.
I have 72 times, but I'II take your count.
Henry Shallick, how did the president do tonight? Well, C.
J.
is right.
The president is a gifted public speaker.
We've always known that, and it's an admirable talent, not unlike juggling.
If only he said something.
By my count, were for co-opted Republican ideas.
Let's break.
We' re getting started with our post-game analysis of the president's third State of the Union address.
We've got guests around the country.
We'II be back with more Capital Beat - right after this.
-We' re out.
-C.
J.
's not wearing pants.
-Y es.
-No pants whatsoever.
-It's cable.
Carol? -Ninety seconds back.
-Could I see you a moment? -Could I see you over there? -How about here? I' m not wearing pants.
-Can we do it here? -As Iong as there aren't microphones.
Carol? -Thank you.
-You Iook Iike a Rockette.
-Y eah.
-You know why I' m not wearing pants? -I assumed it was the usual reason.
-I sat in paint.
I went to the sculpture garden to get some air.
-I sat on a bench.
-Didn't say "wet paint"? -It did, it turns out.
-CIothes are coming.
-Where'd you get the bathrobe? -Gym.
-Bathrobes? -Women's Iocker room.
Not the men's.
That's outrageous.
A thousand men work here and 50 women.
And it's the bathrobes that's outrageous.
-What's going on? -Jack SIoan has an official reprimand.
-For what? -Excessive force.
-How Iong ago? -Seventeen years ago.
A criminal charge was dismissed.
There was a civil suit, it was dismissed.
There is enormous pressure from Iocal black Democrats.
-Our people? -1 7 years ago.
So they gave him an official condemnation.
-Anybody have the story? -They will.
-1 0 seconds.
-I need to see the police officer.
-What was his name? -SIoan.
AII right.
T ake the desk away, I pick up 3 share points.
In five, four, three.
We 're back with our panel: Deputy House Majority Whip Henry Shallick and White House Press Secretary C.
J.
Cregg.
-Welcome back.
-How did it Iook on TV? It Iooked good.
Charlie, is it possible that C.
J.
isn't wearing any pants right now? Yeah.
She sat in wet paint.
And she's not wearing any pants? Well, she's wearing underwear, Mrs.
Landingham.
She hasn't gone smokeless.
Okay.
I didn't understand this note.
The president balanced his checkbook.
He found an outstanding check for $500 that was never cashed.
The check was written by the first Iady to a woman the president never heard of.
He'd Iike you to ask her about it.
The president balanced his checkbook? -Why? -He does it to relax.
-Okay.
-Y eah.
Why doesn't he just ask the first Iady about the $500 check himself in the normal course of, you know, being married to her? When the president inquires into the first Iady's bookkeeping she gets angry with him and yells.
She's gonna get angry and yell when I inquire.
-The president doesn't care about that.
-Yeah.
Okay.
This is a good job.
-I saw you on TV.
-Cool.
To build this future will demand setting aside our partisan blinders and abandoning our ideological entrenchment.
Therefore, I am asking the leaders of Congress and members of both parties to join me in establishing a Blue Ribbon National Commission to fashion-- --boldly setting aside our partisan blinders and abandoning our ideological entrenchment.
Therefore -Come in.
-I am asking the leaders of Congress and members of both parties to join me in establishing a Blue Ribbon - national commission to fashion-- -Mrs.
Bartlet? -Hey, Charlie.
-Am I disturbing you? -I just came up to change my clothes.
-Did you sit in paint? -I' m sorry? -C.
J.
sat on wet paint.
In the sculpture garden? No.
I' m not supposed to go to the reception in the same clothes in which I went to the speech.
I could tell people I have two outfits exactly alike.
-That's what I'd do.
-What do you need? Bear in mind that I' m not wearing pads, a helmet or contact gear of any kind.
A $500 check that hasn't been cashed.
It's written to a woman-- -Oh, how Iong has that been up his ass? -Well, I wouldn't know, ma'am, but-- Her name is Jane Robinson.
I read an article a few months ago.
-Her husband threw her out? -He set fire to the bed.
-Christmas presents were ruined.
-I sent her $500.
She hasn't cashed it.
I'II make sure she got it.
Thank you, ma'am.
--in establishing a Blue Ribbon National Commission.
Hey, it's Sam Seaborn, everybody.
See? You guys said I couldn't write comedy.
You talked to C.
J.
? The dial groups are huge.
Middle-class tax cuts, Social Security-- -What about polling? -Josh and Joey will have numbers.
My point is, this police officer? The president asked him to stand.
-Leo.
-Let C.
J.
talk to him.
Is he here? No pictures anywhere near the president.
They need you in the Situation Room.
-What's going on? -Leo, we believe five U.
S.
DEA agents - have been abducted in Colombia.
-Where? On a road between Bogotá and a training base in Putumayo.
-Was it the CRF? -We don't know.
Do we think it was the CRF? Can agents be identified as U S.
DEA? -They' re carrying badges.
-On a road from Bogotá to Putumayo? They' re gonna shoot these guys.
The White House press corps is upstairs.
And there's a Iive TV show being broadcast next door.
I need to meet with State Justice and the Pentagon, and it needs to happen softly.
Yes, sir.
This was almost a good night.
Good evening.
My name 's Melissa.
I'm from the National Strategies Group in Washington D.
C.
I' m taking a poll for the president of the United States.
-Are you a voting-age member? -I' m taking a poll for the president.
Donna.
It's going well.
It's a 1 7 percent response rate.
-Great.
-Jack SIoan was reprimanded for excessive force by the Detroit Police Department.
-How Iong ago? -Seventeen years.
-What happened? -I don't know.
He made a bust.
He broke the guy's Ieg.
DA couldn't make the case.
The civil suit was dismissed, but it's there.
-Who's Jack SIoan? -From tonight.
-The police officer.
-I wasn't there.
I was on a plane with difficulties.
Officer Jack SIoan of the Detroit Police Department was added at the Iast minute to the invited guests recognized - by the president during the speech.
-He was the cop-- At the elementary school? -He wasn't vetted? -It was Iast-minute.
-When do I see numbers? -It's going good.
-When do I see numbers? -There's a 1 7 percent response rate.
-Fantastic! When do I see numbers? -You need patience.
I need numbers, T onto.
-The poll's an hour old.
-You get early numbers.
-You'II have them.
-In the meantime? I' m getting a doughnut.
Okay.
We' re plagued by this nonsense, Donna.
It's reaching epidemic proportions.
Those numbers are gonna tell us we had a big night.
The bounce is gonna be dragged down by a news cycle -that won't shake the cop story.
-You should ask her out.
-I' m sorry? -Ask Joey out.
-T onight could be the night.
-The night to do what? -T o ask her out.
-Get a doughnut.
Okay.
Before we go to commercial, let me ask for predictions.
How big a bump does the president get off the speech? -Excuse me.
Mr.
Secretary? -Y es? Sorry to interrupt.
Leo McGarry was wondering if you'd come say hello -to an old friend of his? -Certainly.
-Would you excuse me? -It's quite all right.
-Sit Room.
-Thank you.
Are we verifying exactly who was at the Iab? We verified Agents McGrath and Nun, but we still can't confirm the other three.
-I don't want to misnotify the families.
-Leo.
Mickey, 2 p.
m.
Iocal time in Bogotá five DEA agents assisting police in evidence-gathering at a cocaine Iab were taken by the CRF.
-Are they alive? -We think so.
Okay.
Putumayo is a Frente stronghold.
The agents were at one of their top-producing cocaine Iabs.
We open a dialogue through Colombian army commanders.
-Who are they talking to? -I think it's Nelson Guerra.
-He's a Frente jefe.
-Get me everything on him.
-Y es, sir.
-Is anybody close by on the ground? -The closest we've got is T res Encinas.
-Who's there? Six commanders and 1 3 support.
Really? How many people are gonna guard where these guys are taken to? -Five, 600.
-Not the numbers you' re hoping for for a massive attack and rescue mission.
No.
T ell Special Operations at Ft.
Bragg to submit plans for unilateral op.
-They have an hour.
-Yes.
We should Iet these 1 9 guys at T res Encinas know they' re in it now.
Y es, sir.
I challenge all our schools to teach character education.
To teach values.
To teach citizenship.
If it means our kids 'll pay more attention to mathematics and English literature and history and science and the arts and less attention to designer labels then public schools should be able to require students to wear school uniforms.
" School uniforms " from a Iiberal Democrat.
What was that sound we just heard? Joining us now on our panel is Associate White House Counsel Ainsley Hayes.
T o my Ieft, Gretchen Tyler, director of public education for the ACLU.
Gretchen, Iet's start with you.
Were you surprised? I was surprised, Mark.
I was disappointed.
This president has always had strong First Amendment credentials.
-What's the position of the ACLU? -The position of the ACLU is that every child in the country has a Iegal right to public school education.
And that right can't be conditioned upon compliance with a uniform policy.
-Ainsley? -I think Gretchen's point is well taken in that I'm not 100% sure what the president suggested was constitutional.
What I can tell you is, he 's concerned about the kid who 's left out because he can 't afford the clothes his friends wear.
He 's also taken serious notice of any number of studies done by education experts that say, by and large kids will do better wearing uniforms.
It should be noted that there already are dress restrictions on public school kids.
T hey' re not allowed to wear inappropriate clothing or something obscene on their T -shirt.
It should also be noted those restrictions were over the strong objection of the ACLU.
Ainsley, gage for us how strongly the president feels about this.
He included it in a State of the Union.
But from your conversations with him personally.
I haven't had conversations with him.
-On this? -On anything.
I've never met him.
I' m an associate counsel.
The Chinese food guy's got more access than I do.
Y et they have you out here speaking for the White House? Yeah, it's a really big night for me.
We'II be back with Gretchen Tyler and Ainsley Hayes and more guests as the night goes on.
We' re gonna send you to New Y ork for other news.
-Here's Frank and Judy.
-We' re out.
-You crack me up.
-Thank you.
-Hey, Gracie.
-Hey, Sam.
-Mark, does she have time? -It's a five-minute news break.
-Have you been watching? -Y es.
Aren't I delightful? Yes.
You know what I'd Iike? I'd Iike it if you didn't say you weren't The ACLU has a reasonable case against the president.
They do a fine job making it without the help of the president's Iawyer.
-That's fair.
-You never met the president? -I haven't.
-You've been here for months.
He works in the Oval Office.
I work in steampipe trunk distribution.
-We haven't run into each other.
-I'II set it up.
-Meet him tonight.
It's no problem.
-Yes, it is.
-Scared to meet him? -I' m not scared.
-You are.
-I am not scared - because I' m not gonna.
-Ainsley.
I' m having a good night.
I wanna keep having it.
I don't wanna fear the inevitable bungling of Ianguage -that will occur, and the mortification.
-Sounds bad.
I am.
Y es, I am indeed.
Y es, I am scared to meet the president.
-It sounds really bad.
Okay.
-Y es.
-When you meet him, you meet him.
-No need to rush that day along.
Right.
Okay, can I talk to you about adrenaline for a second? -Adrenaline? -Y eah.
You' re feeling it now.
There will be more because it's a big night.
You never experienced this before.
-Think I'II have a nutty? -Don't drink till you' re off television.
God! Thanks for that debating tip.
Your feel for nuance! I shouldn't be drunk when representing the White House.
Yeah.
And don't forget you' re a blond Republican girl and that nobody Iikes you.
-I' m going back on television now.
-T ry and remember you' re on our side.
Thank you, thank you.
Sam Seaborn wrote that Iine for me.
There's a Iot of polling going on right now.
The instant-dial focus groups predict tonight's speech was a success.
And I' m sure where Josh is over at the phone banks they'II be confirming that.
But when numbers are crunched and polls are taken I think everyone here realizes that the truly important thing is that I changed my hair.
Seriously, this is not my official toast.
My official toast is Iater.
I just wanted to say informally before the president got here thank you so much for your hard work.
And enjoy tonight's success.
-Your hair Iooks great, by the way.
-So, what's going on with Jack SIoan? C.
J.
's on it.
So we were able to get in the Ianguage about the BIue Ribbon Commission.
We were able to get it in Iast-minute.
We got our guys.
We changed the Ianguage to broaden-- I was there, Leo.
We changed the Ianguage at the Iast minute.
You wanna be pissed, the architect of this speech-- I don't wanna be pissed at anyone.
But thanks for asking.
And I don't need to be told who the architect of tonight's speech was.
It's T oby Ziegler! In your office in half an hour.
Got it? -Yes, ma'am.
-Keep shaking hands.
-He didn 't say that.
-Hang on.
He didn 't say that, and we can roll the tape.
-He said-- -He said standardized testing would be more acceptable if its limitations were understood.
What about the New York City testing scores Hal Chafey just cited a while ago? -Six out of 1 0 were black or Hispanic.
-Chafey forgot to mention that six out of 1 0 of those students were black or Hispanic.
-On the button.
-Josh-- -No.
We' re still doing this? -Have you asked her out? -Donna.
-The Iast time I asked, you hadn't.
-What is taking so Iong? -"Would you Iike to go out Friday night? " You have to say it.
You have to ask a girl on a date.
You can't just randomly tumble into a girl and hope she breaks up with you as always.
-Why not? -Because you can't.
-You said I always do.
-I can help you or not.
It's up to you.
-I choose not helping me.
-Want me to ask her for you? -Y eah.
That's exactly what I want.
-Joey.
Sit down.
Where are the first numbers? -Soon.
-How soon? -Five minutes.
-You said that 1 5 minutes ago.
-The response rate slowed down.
-Why? -People are going to bed.
-But the response rate didn't stop, right? Everybody didn't go to bed.
If they did, that would be phenomenal.
The response rate slowed down and you need to have some juice and crackers.
America is talking and I' m trying to hear what they' re saying.
They' re saying that you' re an egomaniac who needs to know the public Ioves you.
And you'II have the numbers in five minutes.
I don't think that is what they' re saying, but, absent information-- -Josh-- -Joey, it's the State of the Union.
-We worked on the speech three months.
-You will hear America speaking.
-In five minutes? -In five minutes.
-What the hell? -My computer's down.
It may take a Iittle Ionger now.
Excuse me.
But this White House uses the First Amendment to protect flag burning pornography, to ban school prayer.
Why, when the Second Amendment clearly says that the federal government will not infringe upon a citizen's right -to keep and bear arms-- -It doesn't say that.
The only way it says that is if you remove words.
-You' re-- -It says, "A well-regulated militia being necessary for security of a free state, government shall not infringe.
" " Regulated " and " militia" are in the first sentence.
I don't think the framers were thinking of guys in a Dodge Durango.
-You don't know what they' re thinking.
-No.
If you combine the populations of Great Britain, France, Germany Japan, Switzerland, Sweden, Denmark and Australia, you get a population roughly the size of the United States.
We had 32,000 gun deaths Iast year.
They had 1 1 2.
Think it's because Americans are more homicidal by nature? Or do you think it's because those guys have gun control Iaws? We' re gonna talk to some people and hear answers to that question.
You' re watching an expanded edition of Capital Beat.
Live from the west wing of the White House.
-We'II be back after this.
-We' re out.
T oby.
I' m gonna sit out the next segment.
I gotta see someone.
We'II get you a body.
-Has she been waiting Iong? -No.
-Sorry I' m Iate.
-That's fine.
-On the air.
-I want to ask-- -Mrs.
Bartlet.
-T oby? Excuse me.
I want to remind you there's press coming in and out of this area.
Are you under the impression I am going to have a fit of some kind? -No, ma'am.
-So, what was the deal? A highway and a park named after him? -The BIue Ribbon-- -The BIue Ribbon Commission is swell.
I am not talking about the BIue Ribbon Commission.
And don't talk to me Iike I' m other people.
You've never done that! It was the Ianguage.
-Mrs.
Bartlet-- -The draft I read said : "The first fiscal priority of the government must be, will be ensuring Social Security and Medicare.
" Now, how did that turn into " boldly setting aside our partisan blinders"? -White House considering new options? -Look-- -Raising retirement age? -Abbey-- How did school uniforms get a prominent spot? It was in a section on education reform, Abbey.
Considering other options doesn't mean we' re caving on retirement age.
So, what was your concern with the Ianguage? The draft said: " Our commitment to the full benefits promised to America's greatest generation is absolute.
" -I was there when you wrote it.
-Our commitment is absolute.
We' re open to new ideas, as it said.
-Oh, please! -Believe me.
We gave Republicans plenty to be pissed about.
The surplus, missile defense, capital gains.
I was just on TV for the 900th time and alienated gun owners to say nothing of people who own Dodge Durangos.
So, what exactly was your problem with the Ianguage? It seemed.
-Abbey? -I was thrown by Iast-minute changes.
You should get back on TV.
He's here? -Officer SIoan? -Y es, ma'am? I' m C.
J.
Cregg, press secretary.
Sorry to get you out of the party.
It's all right.
I' m sorry to be abrupt, but I' m racing the clock a Iittle.
Could you tell me what happened with a suspect named Walter T appis? I can access information through the FBI.
I can call Wayne County DA-- -Do I need a Iawyer? -I don't think so, but if you'd Iike-- No.
It was an armed robbery in progress.
I was pursuing Walter T appis on foot through a series of fenced-in storage areas behind a warehouse.
I apprehended him and tried to cuff him.
During it he broke my hand and nose.
-So you fractured his Ieg? -I didn't fracture his Ieg.
He said you kicked him repeatedly while he was handcuffed.
He was suing the city for five million dollars.
What possible motivation would he have to Iie? -Officer-- -He was 1 9 years old, 6' 2", 1 90 pounds.
He won two bronze medals at state high school track and field championships.
Miss Cregg, Iook at me.
Do you think I'd catch up to this guy if his Ieg isn't fractured already? It didn't happen.
Why didn't you tell anybody this was on your record when you were invited here? I just assumed.
I mean, because of what happened over the weekend at the elementary school.
I assumed, you know, that it was okay now, that I was okay.
I didn't think it was gonna come up again.
-Does the press know? -No, but I have to tell them.
-Why? -They'II find out.
I have to stay ahead of the pitch.
If I issue a statement it doesn't Iook Iike we' re trying to hide anything.
I control the story for a while.
-There is no story.
-Officer-- The DA couldn't bring a case.
The civil suit was dismissed.
The president pointed to you as an example.
-I am an example.
-It's a story.
-Because you' re giving it to them.
-They'II find it anyway.
-You don't know that.
-Y es, I do.
My wife and kids are back at the party.
You should go back there.
Don't talk to anybody about this.
I wish you'd said something to us before.
Yeah.
I just assumed.
I thought it was okay now.
-Okay.
Good news.
-What's happening? The electric power company says outage was caused by a 1 3,000-volt cable that caught fire in a building on N Street and Wisconsin.
-How is that good news? -We have hard information.
-When's the power back on? -That information isn't available.
-Donna? -The outage affects 2000 customers.
And it was Iikely started when a repairman misspliced something.
Call Sam.
-I want the numbers! -Everybody else is having fun with this.
You' re the only one who's having fun.
Nobody else is.
Boo! How are you doing? -Are those numbers safe? -Y es.
Are we gonna be able to make West Coast calls? -That depends when the power goes on.
-When's that? -T onight.
-Do I Iook Iike EIectricity Girl? -No.
-I' m thinking of Ieading a song.
Is that Sam? Give him to me.
-Sam? -What's going on? -The power's down.
-I know.
We' re minutes away from an East Coast sample.
-Got nothing west of Indiana or IIIinois.
- You need anything? A Iightning bolt, a key and a kite.
Donna told me to tell you to ask out Joey Lucas.
-Can I tell you? Donna's been acting-- -I gotta go.
We' re in.
-Sir.
-How's it going? -Lost power at National Strategies.
-I heard.
-Well done.
-Thank you.
Listen, you scored big on some of the stuff I fought you on.
-Y es.
I know a way you can repay me.
-Repay you for what? -For you being wrong, me being right.
-I owe you money? -Not money, sir.
-I owe you anything? -Great job, Mr.
President.
-Thanks.
Ainsley Hayes has worked here three months.
She's frightened of meeting you.
If you run into her in the halls maybe you could introduce yourself and welcome her personally.
-Don't you already get paid? -In the hallways, in the next few days you are bound to be in the same place.
I' m just-- -Mr.
President.
-Hang on.
Is there anything in particular you'd Iike me to say? If you said something along the Iines of: " People assumed you were hired because you' re a blond, Republican sex kitten.
They were obviously wrong.
" And to keep up the good work.
That's really good.
Mr.
President.
-Mr.
President.
-The police officer? -C.
J.
's Iooking into it.
-We' re gonna get knocked off the story-- The cop isn't what's gonna knock us off the story.
-What is? -We have a situation in Colombia.
-They can be identified as agents? -They' re dressed as civilians.
-But they've got DEA badges.
-Y eah, they may have blown their cover.
-Sir.
-How do we know they' re still alive? Human sources paid by the national police -confirm they' re in a CRF outpost.
-They kill our guys unless Santos releases Juan Aguilar from a prison in Bogotá.
-The Colombian government won't.
-It doesn't matter.
-Why? -The Frente doesn't care about Aguilar and how Iong he stays in jail, they want to kill these guys.
-I don't think-- -They want to drag their bodies.
These people provide 70 percent of the world's cocaine.
They have 1 22,000 hectares of coca.
The Putumayo region alone produced $400 million in cocaine Iast year.
The government has no control over the region.
There is no Iaw.
They' re gonna shoot these guys in the head and have a parade.
If they wanted to kill them, they'd be dead.
-Robbie.
-Okay, Mr.
President.
This plan is called Cassiopeia.
Three MH-60 BIack Hawks two MH-6 Little Birds and an AC-1 30 gunship.
Each BIack Hawk has 1 0 Delta commandos from Special Forces.
-How Iong? -Five to seven minutes.
-How many Frente casualties? -Do you care? -No.
-Mr.
President.
I want to urge that we continue negotiating.
-You think we' re headed for Vietnam? -If we attack, the Frente'II hit back.
-How? -I think they'II bomb our embassy.
I think they will kill diplomats and citizens in captivity.
AII require a military response.
It could unify the drug Iords.
It could destabilize the region.
It could Iead to a war.
Lead to a war, we' re in a war.
We' re sending people down there to fight a war on drugs.
Those guys aren't hostages, they' re prisoners.
How Iong's it gonna take Special Forces to mobilize? They' re in 1 41 s now on their way to T res Encinas.
You can give them a "go" order in three hours.
Well, then, I want our people to keep talking to Nelson Guerra.
In three hours, be ready to kick in the back door.
-Yes, sir.
-Leo, I'd Iike the senior staff.
-Would you round them up? -Y es, sir.
-I' m gonna be wandering the halls.
-Thank you.
Thank you, sir.
You know what I' m surprised about? -What? -We haven't seen a Iot of Iooting.
Usually in these cases you see Iooting.
General civil unrest.
-People get on each other's nerves.
-Okay.
Joey, can I ask you what may be a silly question? -Sure.
-It's not possible, is it to just open up one of these computers with a screwdriver and get the numbers? -Why'd you think that's a silly question? -I want these numbers! Josh? Sam.
-You gotta come back.
- What's going on? I don't know.
Leo wants everybody back.
Leave Joey and Donna for a while.
I'II be right there.
Ginger? Isn't Ainsley Hayes supposed to meet me? -She's in her office.
-Isn't she to meet me here? -She needs to meet you in her office.
-Why? She can't wear her pants.
Ainsley? -I hardly know where to start.
-I was feeling good after my segments -so I went to the sculpture garden.
-You know -there's a "wet paint" sign.
-My assistant went to get me clothes.
-Why are you moving Iike that? -I' m blaming it on the bossa nova.
I know what you mean about that adrenaline high, I definitely think I got it.
The bartender made me a Pink Squirrel.
So you see, I am not the teetotaler you think I am.
-Is there alcohol in that at all? -A dash of crème de cacao, my friend.
-I came down here to tell you-- -Oh, dance with me, Sam.
-What's up? -Oh, Mr.
President.
I never knew we had a nightclub down here.
Oh, my God! Mr.
President, I don't believe you've met Ainsley Hayes.
Y eah, Ainsley, I wanted to say hello and to mention, you know people assumed you were hired because you were a blond Republican sex kitten and, well, they' re obviously wrong.
-Keep up the good work.
-Y es, sir.
-Know we' re meeting? -Y es, sir.
Okay.
That could've been worse.
No, probably not.
T ake us behind the scenes.
What are the president and first Iady doing right now? The reception's still going on, I don't know if you can hear the music.
They are Iikely to stay up Iate with friends.
AII right, we' re staying up Iate too.
Maybe we'II get invited to the party.
We' re gonna take a break and come right back.
-We' re out.
-How you holding up? You got a second? I've Iaid off it because we've done things together.
-I didn't want to ambush you-- -SIoan? -Yeah.
C.
J.
-Mark.
I talked to the guy.
Before the stampede begins, give me a-- C.
J.
? -Let me talk to you before-- -C.
J.
? Leo McGarry would Iike you to meet a friend.
-Give me 20 minutes.
-Why? -We've done things together.
-I' m Iooking at my watch.
-They said you were here.
-Just for a minute.
Fellas? -You' re mad at me.
-You know what, I' m not your mommy.
Abbey, so I indicated we were open to new ideas, how did I fail you this time? You didn't fail anybody.
They've been giving you some pretty decent style points.
I have a meeting.
At what point in the process did you decide not to mention -the Violence Against Women Act? -Things had to be cut.
Jane Robinson, by the way, is the name of the woman I made the check out to.
It wasn't cashed because she framed it.
Charlie tracked her down at a women's shelter.
That's what made me think about the Violence Against Women's Act.
T o make a 90-minute speech into an 80-minute speech, things had to go.
It's good it didn't have to be shorter, or school uniforms might not have made it.
We had a deal.
-Right now-- -We made a promise.
We made a deal! When did you decide you were gonna run for a second term? -That's not what tonight's speech-- -That's all tonight's speech was about! You kicked off your re-election campaign.
And I' m sitting here, eating a sandwich because we had a deal.
That was three years ago.
I have Special Forces headed to Colombia on ready-alert.
-They'II be ready in Iess than three hours.
-What happened? The Frente took five DEA agents in Putumayo.
Mr.
President? Senior staff's together.
-I'II be right there.
-Y es, sir.
-Abbey-- -No, you gotta focus right now.
AII right.
-I've gotta go.
-I'II stay up with you.
Welcome back.
If you 're just joining us, we 're live tonight from the west wing of the White House with an all-star panel.
We 're talking about the State of the Union.
It appears that it 's a blockbuster.
Claire Willow joins us now from the Chicago Sun-Times.