Previously on The West Wing:
Can you brief me on Kazakhstan?
Has a deal been struck?
- Classified. - So the details would be...?
Also classified.
- New Hampshire. First District. - We'll have a good shot at the seat.
I think so. And I think I'm the man to do it.
With a little help from you fine people...
...I'll be elected to the United States House of Representatives.
If the worst they can say about me is I'm Jed Bartlet's son-in-law...
Once the public gets to know me as an individual, it's an entirely different race.
You're the politician. Why the hell don't you run?
I don't want it.
Then why would you let Doug?
Because he's my husband, and he asked me to.
I've been thinking about what might have been if it weren't for the conflict.
I'm almost over it. I'm right there and you come back.
- Forgive me. You should be drinking. - For what?
- You look incredible. - Stop.
- Well, you do. - That's unnecessary.
- You okay? - I'm just great.
- Have a seat. - Thanks.
So how's the president?
- We off the record? - Please, yes.
- He's doing great. - I wouldn't want that to get around.
I'm surprised you called. I remember shunning you.
Dignity's not my forte.
So...
- They kept the kitchen open. - Then we should order.
Hi. Thank you.
- Like to hear the specials? - Please.
We're featuring New Zealand lamb shank...
- Is this from a list? - I'm sorry?
- The specials, they written down? - Right here.
We'll read them. We're readers.
- Whatever you want. - It's easier.
- Then you don't have to perform. - Fine with me.
Thanks.
A night out. This is like a week in Aruba.
Except it's cold and dark.
- What? - I was making a joke.
Oh, you don't have to do that.
Relaxing makes me nervous. Like I'm missing something.
- You want a drink? - No.
- So, what's up? - What's up?
- Why am I here? - You really want me to...?
- Cut to the chase. I do. - All right, well...
I'm having a bit of performance anxiety here.
Well, get yourself together. I'll look at the menu.
I wanted to see you.
That's it?
How am I supposed to...?
I know you've always had a thing about reporters.
- A "thing"? - When you were press secretary.
- I wouldn't call it a "thing." - No?
They tick me off, is all. You wanna know why?
- That's okay. - They care more about a good story...
...than the truth. - I see.
I have to live in a culture where what's important doesn't matter.
We're too preoccupied with attractive people...
...playing musical genitalia in Hollywood.
- It's disgusting. - I cover politicians.
- Most are homely, so no one cares. - True.
If they had guts, we'd write better stories.
If we had the support of a well-informed constituency...
As opposed to what, leading? Wanna know why politicians tick me off?
- They're attracted to false heroics. - What?
There's two places you can see an egomaniac...
...talking about how great he is, how he's gonna kick his opponent's ass.
One is a professional wrestling match, the other, a national political convention.
Can't do anything if you don't get elected.
He never has to get elected again.
You're content with the same game of well-intentioned defense...
...you've always played. - Not true.
You can do more in a day than most do in a lifetime.
You think I'm not aware I'm living my obituary right now?
So don't get hypnotized by complexity. Make it count.
- What are you working on? - Right now?
Trying to keep China and Russia...
...from annihilating the Northern Hemisphere over oil.
- What are you working on? - Couple of House races.
- Well, no good comes from that. - No.
- Heard anything about Doug Westin? - The president's son-in-law...
...might be the next congressman from New Hampshire.
- He's only down three points. - Doesn't care about being his own man.
He's asking the president to stump for him in Manchester.
- Really? - Yeah. Why?
He's getting a lot of heat, bunch of profiles, rising-star crap.
And I was surprised...
...because the one time I met him he seemed kind of...
- Unimpressive? - Yeah.
Are you implying that success isn't a question of inherent value?
- No, I would never do that. - Good.
Okay, let's get a move on, here.
- Fish is a stupid thing to get. - He may be banging the nanny.
I want a big slab of... What?
I think the president's son-in-law may be banging the nanny.
- Is that a euphemism? - No.
Well, "banging" is, I guess.
It's just a rumor.
There's no official corroboration...
...but it's flying around pretty heavy up there...
...and it could break any minute.
The president has a lot of political enemies in New Hampshire.
They might wanna create a circus or just hurt him for spite.
Gotcha. Great. Thank you. I'm gonna go.
You're what? Shoot, I ruined the dinner.
- Tomorrow's a big day. It got bigger. - You gotta eat.
- Get the steak. - Can I see you?
- Sure, it was swell. - When?
Soon as we're out of office.
How do we expect the people of Kazakhstan to vote...
...if we can't guarantee the safety of our monitors?
- It's gonna diminish turnout. - You think?
Chinese want revenge. They're not looking for a referendum.
Is there a legitimacy threshold?
You mean participation? No.
Chinese troops are holding?
Yeah, but any further loss of life, they'll have to go in.
The Kazakhs understand that one cop goes nutso...
...and everyone gets to live in a sarcophagus?
Tarimov understands the stakes. He gets it.
- I mean, these people love their vodka. - Don't drink and play thermonuclear war.
That's what I'm saying. Whatever communication we have...
...we emphasize that everybody needs to bury their dead and vote in peace.
What do we know about attacks in the Sudan?
- The refugee camp in Darfur? - Yeah.
Janjaweed warriors attacked the camp...
...along with government troops out of Khartoum.
- This is new, right? - Attacking the camps is.
Directed by the government in Khartoum?
African Union says the Janjaweed and Sudanese government are the same.
Government helicopters were part of the assault.
There's rape trauma, there's amputations.
All the men are dead. We've seen it before.
The big question is, will there be another member of the Bartlet family...
... in the Capitol come next January?
- Mr. Westin, who has insisted... - Look good.
... on running as his own man...
...nevertheless trails... - Peacekeepers are overwhelmed.
Yeah. The minute it gets too dangerous, the humanitarian groups pull out...
...and we have genocide on smack.
Let's move on this.
- Really? - We can get a resolution through the U.N.
There's a Security Council meeting.
Yeah, next week.
Let's chop the financial balls off these bastards in Khartoum.
- How? - We sanction their oil revenues.
- We agreed... - To sit on our butts?
China would veto. We've never tried it.
China needs us now.
They need a broker to make sure this election in Kazakhstan is legitimate.
- Is this coming from the president? - From me.
I'm gonna see what I can get and then take it to him.
If we assure them their flow of oil is secure...
...they may be willing to sacrifice something.
They give up what they're getting from the Sudan...
...and get it from Kazakhstan.
Don't wanna jeopardize neutrality.
They can't know it's coming from us.
- We find a proxy. - Yeah.
France and Germany want us to let them sell arms to China again.
Margaret?
- I need the French ambassador. - He's over at State.
- Will's here. - Will?
- Send him in. - I'm gonna take off.
- Great, thanks. - Campaign coordination in the Roosevelt.
- Josh is waiting. - A conference call.
Actually, he's in town, so he wanted to do it in person.
And Steve Laussen called again from Refugees' Rights Alliance.
He wants five minutes. Actually, it's more like he demanded five minutes.
- I told him no. - Squeeze him in.
- Really? - Why not?
You, I need. Come here.
- What's wrong? - Close the door.
- I didn't do it. - Close the door.
- Toby did it. - Shut up.
Gonna talk now?
Seriously, I don't react well to this.
It's like staring at a dog.
Doug Westin is having an affair with his nanny.
I don't wanna know that. Why did you tell me that?
You deal with the press. I don't want you to get blind-sided.
Exactly. I work with the press. I do my best when I'm the least-informed.
- You taught me that. - Suck it up.
I can't act. I'm a terrible actor.
You were in New Hampshire during the primary.
- So what? - Find out if there's truth to said rumor.
- How? - You'll figure it out.
- Wow. - You think?
I've got the president flying there to lend credibility to the alleged fornicator.
- Really bad. - We already lost a V.P. In a sex scandal.
I feel like I'm handing out towels at the Playboy Mansion.
- It's not your fault. - Oh, really, now?
- Open the door. - What?
Open the door.
- Did you take an awkward pill? - What?
I'm always like this.
Thank you.
Briefer Boy, I caught you on C-SPAN.
You look real cute in makeup.
Withering sarcasm. I love it.
Those are some brutal briefings. Looks like some medieval wonk-baiting.
Support me in public. All I ask.
We were talking about how many Cabinet members you want on the trail.
Since I'm in town, thought I'd nail down the president's availability...
...for the campaign. I'm back at 4 to work out a calendar.
We're gonna need people left...
...to run the country. - I don't care.
We're gonna do everything we can to support you.
I talked to the president. He's fine doing the address on deficit reduction.
I'm assuming you're gonna keep slamming Vinick on his tax cut?
- Yeah. - What else?
Looking at the polling:
Santos does better where people think the country's moving forward.
Don't do anything you wouldn't be doing anyway.
Whatever you have in terms of research grants, infrastructure initiatives...
...it's a waste to piddle it out in some Commerce press release.
Let's highlight it, have the secretary show up, create sizzle.
We've got business loans, light rail stuff coming. We'll keep you posted.
- Whatever you got. - Easy.
- I want it all. - You'll have it.
- I also want something big. - Like?
The Molecular Transport Lab. The biotech-chemical-genome thing.
- What about it? - Be nice...
...to make the announcement in Texas.
You didn't want us doing anything we weren't doing.
I want you to move the announcement up.
It would be huge. Could make the difference.
The location hasn't been decided.
It's working through the review process.
- That's not what I hear. - No?
No, it's going to Austin. All $2 billion worth. I gotta go.
I'll be back at 4 for Cabinet Affairs.
You should check that out.
How does he know we made the decision?
Maybe he doesn't. Maybe it's a rumor.
Maybe it's wishful thinking, he's trying to jam it home.
If we announce that a $2 billion research investment...
...is going to Texas before the election...
...the senator from Kentucky is gonna blow a gasket.
Good way to make a statesman look like an ineffectual fool.
French ambassador's in the Mural.
- I gave him a beverage. - Thanks.
- Where'd you leave it with the senator? - He knows it's going to Texas.
He's fighting for his life.
His constituents don't like his politics.
- Schwing with the purse is all he's got. - He didn't promise anything.
All he's asking is we hold off until after the election.
- What'd you tell him? - I told him we'd hold off.
We're not risking a Senate seat.
- You're doing it again. - What?
- Standing there in front of me. - We were talking.
That's over. See what you can find out about the nanny.
- I don't understand how I'm supposed... - Walk away from me now.
So proud to serve in these hallowed halls.
We are very concerned about the reports out of the Sudan.
The attacks on the Internally Displaced People's camps in Darfur.
Yes, it's awful.
We would like to turn off the spigot...
...that's supporting the government in Khartoum.
No reason not to expect more mass killings and displacements.
As you know, the European community has formally condemned this activity.
Yes, and as you know, the perpetrators do not care.
Our students have launched a very effective divestiture campaign.
Which we admire.
We believe you have the domestic constituency to support bold action.
Yes, that's true.
We may be willing to support reopening your arms sales to China.
- In exchange for what? - A resolution...
...sanctioning oil revenues to Khartoum. - The Chinese will veto it.
- They might. - Yeah, they will.
Look, if it was up to me...
...NATO troops would have been on the ground in the Sudan years ago.
Are you offering troops to a NATO peacekeeping effort?
The African Union troops are clearly doing their best to protect the camps.
- There's been improvement there. - People are still dying.
Now, I know it's not a solution.
But I believe an African problem will require an African solution.
We would prefer an African solution, but it's not working.
But you have to ask yourself, C.J., how did we get here?
We saw it coming.
We did.
Perhaps a murderous government...
...with intelligence on international Islamic terrorist organizations...
Could provide the United States with crucial information. Absolutely.
Perfectly understandable.
But when we push things to the side...
...often they come back to haunt us.
- We all make calculation, Jacques. - And your investors...
...who continue to trade shares of the multinationals...
...who do business with these killers on the New York Stock Exchange...
That's another calculation, yes.
- Plenty of hypocrisy to go around. - Sure, sure.
Unfortunately, C.J., we cannot afford to introduce a resolution...
...so obviously aimed at the Chinese.
You are so fond of calling yourselves the leaders of the free world.
So lead.
- What do you got? - Nothing.
- He didn't do it? - I didn't get...
- I told you to... - Casually call people...
...and ask if they think the president's son-in-law's committing adultery?
You have to be more artful.
There's no art in finding out if somebody slept with someone else.
- You ask straight out or you don't. - Didn't say it'd be easy.
The segue hasn't been invented...
...that takes us from weather to hammering the nanny.
- You have nothing. - Found out it's cold in New Hampshire.
- You're useless. - The Westin's 26-year-old nanny...
...of three years was let go in August and is now traveling in Europe.
There do seem to be a lot of reporters focusing on Doug, digging around.
- That doesn't mean... - Sheila Jacobs, Danny Concanon...
Danny Concanon, yeah.
They're all talking to people about Doug.
Non-politicos.
I pulled this picture of the whole family at a butter festival off the Internet.
That's the nanny right there, which makes me think he did it.
- Just look at her. - What's that supposed to mean?
- I'm saying... - I see your mouth. Saying what?
She's cute, he likely did it.
- They have children. - Be stupid to have a nanny if you didn't.
Especially one like that. If you're interested in male perspective.
It raises the level of the discussion.
Can I give you advice before you ask me to leave my office?
I don't know where you're going...
- Protecting the president. - Right, whatever.
This much I do know. There's one thing worse...
...than telling the president his son-in-law's having an affair.
Telling the president his son-in-law's having an affair...
...then finding out you were wrong.
- Danny. - I know you're working on this story...
...but right now I'm concerned with the president.
I don't wanna walk your gauntlet of journalistic ethics, so I'll make this easy.
I'm gonna say a sentence and if it's true, you just don't say anything. Clear?
Don't say anything.
If you don't say anything, what I said was true.
- Okay. - Got it?
- Isn't that risky? - What do you mean?
What if you say something not true and my cell phone cuts out?
- It's not gonna happen. - I got on an elevator.
- Well, get off now, mister! - Hang on! Whoa, sorry.
- You okay? - I'm fine, fine.
- C.J.? - What the...?
I'm holding the fish now.
- C.J.? Hello? - You want your privacy, don't you?
- I really do. - Claudia Jean?
Steve Laussen from Refugee Rights Alliance is out here.
- Give me a minute. - I'll do that.
C.J.? You okay?
- You there? - Yeah. You okay?
- I almost killed my fish. - On purpose?
- Why would I do that? - You've been under pressure.
- Listen up... - I'll tell you anything...
...if you have dinner with me. - What?
See if we can get through an appetizer.
- Okay. - Same place?
- Sure. - Great. Shoot.
If I went to the president with the information...
...would I be making a mistake?
No. See you tomorrow night.
Steve. Come in.
- It's good to see you. - Thank you.
- Glad we could make this happen. - Me too.
Have a seat.
You're aware of the situation in the Sudan?
The attacks on the camps?
Janjaweed backed by government helicopters.
- Right. - Has there been any official response...
...from this administration? - We condemned it.
What do you wanna hear, C.J., the numbers or the horror stories?
- Neither. - I'll run down the talking points quick.
Three million displaced, 400,000 dead.
Children forced to watch mothers raped and fathers killed.
Current death toll per month: 6000.
If humanitarian organizations are forced to withdraw: 100,000 per month.
- Steve? - I have photographs.
I don't need to see photographs.
When babies die, mothers don't know how to put them down.
So they carry them around.
On this planet.
On your watch.
Yeah.
Remember the monk who lit himself on fire to protest the war?
I used to think that guy was nuts.
- Now it seems the logical response. - Won't help.
We need strong preemptive action, led by the Bartlet administration.
Overwhelming American military might...
...followed by a decade of nation-building...
...where many consider us infidels...
...so that we might bring forth a democracy?
Of course not. Come on, C.J.
When did it become naive to try to end genocide?
We're monitoring the situation carefully. Steve, you don't need...
- I need my government... - The president is aware...
...to assert its moral authority.
Okay.
- I want five minutes with the president. - This was your five minutes.
I'm sorry, Steve, I'm late for a meeting.
You've got the German ambassador in the Mural.
Great. Doug Westin's in town. I need to see him tonight.
- I'll track him down. - Alone.
- Alone? - Alone.
- I smell bacon. - Hello, Josh.
A heaping helping of sizzling Federal pork butt.
- I can't talk now. - Perfect for a Texas barbecue.
I have a meeting.
I finished up with Cabinet Affairs. Thought you might have news.
- I don't. - It would be helpful...
...to make the announcement in Texas. - We haven't decided yet.
When the EPA did the environmental-impact study in Kentucky...
...they concluded it had to go to Texas. - Really, now?
Yeah, I have the data.
The University of Texas has everything in terms of research coordination.
You know this. You're playing with me.
- I'm not. We haven't made a decision. - You have bad information.
I feel pretty confident about my information...
...since I actually work here and you don't.
And now I have a meeting.
The president needs to fly down to Texas...
...stand next to the congressman and make the announcement.
- That's not gonna happen. - It's gonna come out.
You can't keep this information quiet.
You want the president to be a part of the story or not?
Think about it. I'm around.
- Please, have a seat. - What can I do for you, C.J.?
We've been monitoring these developments in the Sudan.
Disturbing. Tragic.
As long as oil revenues flow into Khartoum...
...the humanitarian situation will deteriorate.
Germany has completed a large deal.
- One of our companies is building... - Diesel-electric plant. We are aware.
Good. I want to be honest with you. Good.
We are looking for a U.N. Resolution.
- From who? - From you.
- The Chinese will veto. - They might.
One hundred percent they will. One hundred percent.
- This is something the president needs. - Yes.
You already made the same request of the French.
We talk often. We have a union now.
If you want this resolution, why don't you make it?
We are doing everything we can to avoid World War III in Kazakhstan.
At the same time, we'd like to do what we can...
...to prevent an unnecessary and massive loss of human life.
Then focus on humanitarian needs.
If we start mixing human rights with oil exports, we'll all be riding bicycles.
The European Union declared what was happening to be tantamount to genocide.
Tantamount, yes. Overwhelmingly.
In exchange for your introduction of a new resolution...
...we will drop our opposition to your arms sales to China.
And, of course, we can assure you of a sympathetic hearing...
...at the next round of trade negotiations.
There may be another construction project...
...in conjunction with the diesel-electric plant in Khartoum.
It will be grandfathered into the sanctions.
Well, then how can I refuse you?
You're very persuasive.
Thank you, Mr. Ambassador. The president will be thrilled.
- How will you avoid a veto from China? - You said it yourself, Franz.
- Yeah? - I can be very persuasive.
We are now at the point where the research disciplines...
... can no longer afford to function separately.
Our understanding of our natural world...
... is beginning to inform our technological future.
And our understanding of technology...
... stands on the verge of revolutionizing our ability...
... to detect and treat a countless number of illnesses.
That's why federal investments...
... like the proposed Molecular Transport Lab are so important.
There's about to be a biotech explosion. Let me tell you this:
I've looked closely at this project.
I believe that in the next couple of days...
... we're gonna be hearing good news for the great city of Austin...
- ... and the great state of Texas. - Son of a bitch!
Dial Josh now.
Son of a bitch.
- You got him? - On two.
- Hello. - Hey, what's up?
I hate it when I make myself clear.
- Wait. - And I'm not received.
It's a done deal, C.J.
This is not your call.
He didn't announce it. He said Austin was the most viable site.
- He didn't make... - Don't make distinctions.
I've known you too long. Way too long.
I understand Calvin Bowles' Senate seat is a priority.
- Calvin Bowles... - You know.
Pious old pork hog who votes like a schizophrenic.
You done? Calvin Bowles is a breathing Democrat.
That's debatable.
We cannot afford to lose any more of those right now.
Where does holding onto the White House fit in?
I'm sorry. Doug Westin is here.
Tell him I'll be right there.
Listen up, Josh. I work for Jed Bartlet.
I wouldn't be doing my job if I wasn't trying to preserve his legacy.
The announcement's off the table until after the election.
Is that clear?
- Now, if you'll excuse me... - C.J., C.J., listen to me.
You wanna cover all eventualities?
Have the president join us in Texas...
...then he and Santos will fly to Kentucky...
...to stump for Senator Bowles. Your problems are solved.
I have to go now.
- Come in, Doug. - C.J., how you doing?
I'm just great.
Know what I'm gonna do when they declare me the winner?
- What are you gonna do, Doug? - I'm gonna ask for a recount.
That's not my line, but I love it.
- It's great, isn't it? - Yeah.
I am so jazzed about this event with the president next week.
We are gonna win this thing.
I've never felt so strongly about anything in my life.
But until that last vote is counted...
...I operate under the assumption I'm gonna lose. Nothing for granted.
I mean, look who I'm talking to.
You know exactly what I'm going through.
Don't say it. Do not tell me the president needs to go to Zurich...
...to work on this Kazakhstan thing.
- No, he doesn't. - Good.
I don't care what you do privately.
- Okay. - I really don't.
- I'm a... - When you do something...
...that hurts my boss's ability to do his job...
...that could embarrass him on a political trip...
...and will take attention away from urgent national and international issues...
...I begin to care very deeply.
I'm trying to get the Chinese ambassador here...
...to put an end to unimaginable human suffering.
If you have a problem with your zipper, get it out of my face right now.
Do you understand me?
- I think I do. - I think you do too.
Yeah.
- Chinese ambassador in the Mural. - Thanks.
Here's what's gonna happen:
You're gonna walk to the Office of Political Affairs.
Tell the people that you don't want to be overshadowed by your father-in-law.
You want to win this thing yourself, on your own merits...
...and thanks, but no, thanks, you're withdrawing your request...
...to have the president with you in Manchester. Do that for me, will you?
That'd be great.
It is an irresponsible moment for the Germans...
...to propose sanctions on the Sudan.
Two nuclear powers are mobilized.
We have troops massed on both borders of Kazakhstan.
We're standing on the edge of the...
I agree, the timing is odd.
- It is not appreciated. - Yeah.
And stupid.
These Europeans, they're always pretending to have a significance...
...they no longer possess.
I have spoken to them. I'd like to make a proposal.
- What? - You're interested...
...in arms from the French and Germans.
We're interested in all markets.
There have been no sales since Tiananmen.
Israel, other countries have done business with us.
The French and Germans told us they'd like to sell to you again.
They should. It's a meaningless restriction.
They are simply losing money.
- We objected strongly. - I was there.
- There may be some latitude now. - With the arms sales?
Yes.
It will be difficult to justify closing off such a significant source of oil.
We're thirsty.
We're trying to grow an economy.
We're gonna make sure your oil supply is preserved.
You can show yourselves to be responsible members...
...of the world community...
...with a simple abstention on the German resolution.
It will allow us to put American election monitors on the ground...
...to ensure a fair vote there.
- That's it? - That's a lot.
I will disappear into my massive bureaucracy...
...and see what I can do. - You're funny.
Thank you, ambassador.
You know what I think about a lot...
...when I'm having these kind of discussions?
What, sir?
Capitalism vanquished Communism.
Obliterated it.
And here we are having a discussion...
...where you are trying to restrict our markets.
We're trying to address a humanitarian situation in the Sudan.
Exactly.
But you have always taught us...
...that liberty is the same thing as capitalism.
As if life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness...
...cannot be crushed by greed.
Your American dream is financial, not ethical.
This is a good deal for the Chinese.
I hope you'll consider it carefully.
- Of course. - Thank you.
No, thank you. You have taught us well.
The president needs you in the Oval, and I have a yogurt here.
- What for? - To eat.
- He's in there? - Yeah.
And he's grumpy.
Come in.
How you doing, kid?
- Very good, sir. - Glad to hear it.
Teddy Barrow just called from State. What's going on with the Sudan thing?
I'm working on a resolution.
- Sanctioning oil revenues. - To be introduced by the Germans.
- Vetoed by the Chinese. - Not necessarily.
- Probably. - Could be.
I am trying to defuse a nuclear standoff.
Why would we want to antagonize the Chinese right now?
We're not. This is coming from the Germans.
You don't think they'll figure it out?
We owe these people $350 billion.
- They're not stupid. - We're out of time.
We've all been hypnotized by the complexity of this thing:
The E.U., the U.N., State. This isn't a solution, but it's a start.
I can't have anything compromising our neutrality in Kazakhstan.
This won't. As far as China knows...
...this is Europe holding their feet to the fire.
We're the ones brokering the deal. China would owe us.
This could even help us in Kazakhstan.
Is this about the Sudan...
...or the fact that we're all about to get kicked out of this building?
When the babies die, the mothers carry them around for days.
They can't put them down.
Yeah.
- Keep working the resolution. - Thank you, Mr. President.
Why is Matt Santos stomping on what's left...
...of my goodwill up on the Hill? - The transport lab.
I got an irate phone call from the senator from Kentucky.
I think he was irate. He didn't have his teeth in.
I'm not sure what he was talking about.
The Santos campaign got polling telling them...
...a federal investment in Austin could help win Texas.
Which is why I think we should...
...send you to Austin to announce the transport lab with Santos.
Then we send you both to Kentucky to stump for Bowles.
- When's that gonna happen? - Thursday.
Doug Westin withdrew his request for you to campaign with him.
Why'd he do that?
I think he wants to prove he's his own man.
- By losing? - Lf that's what it takes.
Liz is gonna kill him.
Doug just changed his mind?
Was there anything else?
No, sir. Thank you, Mr. President.
When do you get an answer from the Chinese?
I should know over the weekend.
- It's worth a shot. - Yeah.
Hey, come here a sec.
- What's up? - I need to tell you something.
You all right?
- Doug Westin. - Yes?
Doug Westin had an affair with his nanny.
- Get out. - It might break, it might not.
- Is she cute? - Who cares if...?
I spent my life surrounded by men in uniform.
Biology kicks virtue's ass, in my experience.
She's 26.
Okay, so she doesn't have to be cute. That's disgusting.
- Yeah. - He should die.
The bastard should just be dead.
- Did Liz leave him? - I don't think she knows.
Sic Special Ops on him. Make him a tragedy she can cry over.
I made him withdraw his request to appear with the president next week.
You're telling me because...
- I don't know if I should... - Tell her?
No. Now's the time everybody looks at her funny...
...till she figures it out. - I know.
I just don't know if I owe the president...
Sorry. Liz Westin's in your office. She needs to talk to you.
Good luck.
Okay.
- Hi, Liz. - C.J. Hi.
I'm sorry to barge in on you. Are you busy?
You know, thermonuclear war, genocide.
- I don't mean to bother you. - It's fine. It's good to see you.
Have you seen Doug?
- He was here yesterday, right? - He marched into Political Affairs...
...and told them he didn't want my father to do the event.
- I heard. - I can't believe it.
Do you know how long it took me to convince him to let my father help?
It was important to be his own man. To win or lose on his own.
His father-in-law is the president. It's a fact. He can't run away from that.
It's gotta be hard to try and live up to the president.
- You can't. - No.
He is the father of my children, and I want them to look up to him.
- Sure. - No matter what he's done.
Do you understand what I'm saying, C.J.?
- I think I do. - I think you do too.
Talk to him. Tell him it's political suicide...
...to run away from Dad. - You're trying to do what's best.
Marriage is complicated, C.J.
This isn't ideal, but it's the best thing for my children.
- I understand. - Good.
But my job is to protect your father.
My father would want to protect my children too.
I'm sorry, Liz. We've given the date away.
- Already? You can't have. - It's gone.
So on his own merits.
We let the voters decide?
I think it's best.
Yeah.
I need some Schedule C's willing to take unpaid leave...
...and hit the road with the candidate. - I'll put together a list.
The least-humiliating public speakers possible.
I've cleared the president to fly to Austin...
...to announce that it will be the home of the Molecular Transport Lab.
He'll then fly to Kentucky to campaign for Senator Bowles.
Would Congressman Santos like to join him?
- I'll have to get back to you on that. - Go to hell.
I'm embarrassed, Tom.
I'm embarrassed my country is content to let other countries take the lead...
... when it comes to the key moral question of our time.
Half a million dead.
And at what number do we say "enough"?
We've called it what it is. It is genocide.
This is an unprecedented moment in American history...
... where we have acknowledged that system...
U.N. Delegation just notified State.
There's a Security Council negotiation on language for a Sudan resolution.
- Where are the Chinese? - They're in the room.
- Threatening to veto? - Not out of hand, no.
- They're talking? - They are.
- It's a start. - Yeah.
- You wanna get some food? - I can't. I have a date.
- You do not. - What? I have a date.
- With whom? - A guy I used to go out with.
- I'll walk out with you. - You go ahead.
I need to talk to the president.
The Doug story's gonna break. It's gonna be terrible for him.
I want him to hear it from me.
- He's ready. - Okay.
- See you tomorrow. - Yeah.
Men are like salmon. Swimming upstream...
...hosing down the riverbed with their indiscriminate seed.
- Indiscriminate seed? - Until they die...
...bloated and spent, belly-up in the sun.
Quit sweet-talking me, baby.
Unless they get taken out by a bear paw in the waterfall.
- You're struggling with trust issues? - I'm struggling with reality.
- What's your dessert policy? - What?
- Want me to spare you the monologue? - I do.
I figured. I'll get you some more water.
Oh, gee, I'm sorry. I'll shut up and leave now.
- She hates my guts. - Yeah, she does a little bit.
I'm sorry about the other night.
- Why? - Because I was behaving like...
...the kind of type-A career woman, freak automaton...
...that I so very much do not want to become.
- Please. - I wanted to see you.
And I haven't felt that in a long time. I just got awkward and antagonistic.
As long as you didn't kill our fish.
I don't want to see you until after the inauguration.
- You don't have to. - I want to do my job.
I want to suck every morsel of meat off this experience.
- Just get something done. - Comes down to what it always does.
- What's that? - How dirty do my feet have to get...
...without disappearing in the mud...
...to get an inch of what I really want done?
- Doesn't sound very heroic. - It's not.
So, what's the deal? You still creeped out by reporters, or what?
Why? You got another unholy bomb to drop on me?
- That's what these dates are about? - It was an attempt at a real date.
- And this? - It's another attempt.
If I'd wanted to publish that story, I wouldn't have given you the heads-up.
I can't write that kind of crap anymore.
I don't...
I don't know if I want to be a reporter anymore.
- Really? - Doug Westin's libido...
...broke the camel's back.
- What do you wanna do? - I don't know.
- Can I ask you something? - Yeah.
Why'd you come here tonight?
Because you made me promise to.
Why'd you come?
I wanted to see you.
Yeah.
- Thank you. - You gonna do a magic trick?
I'm flying a little blind, here.
I'm halfway through my life, and I'm never sure...
...if I'm doing anything right until I'm done...
...doing it wrong. - Work with it.
- So this may not come out right. - I forgive you.
And incrementalism is not an option. I'm forced into a heroic posture.
- Heroic can be good. - Feels funny.
- You can do it. - Okay.
We're both about to fall off a cliff.
And I don't know what I'm gonna do with the rest of my life...
...except I know what I don't wanna do.
On Inauguration Day, you're gonna be released...
...from that glorious prison on Pennsylvania Avenue with...
- No human skills? - Seems to me.
- I should punch you in the face. - That's what I'm talking about.
- Keep going. - So if I'm gonna jump off the cliff...
...and you're gonna get pushed off the cliff...
...why don't we hold hands on the way down?
- Oh, shoot. - Oh, turn it off.
- I can't yet. - Just for a couple of seconds.
- Oh, my God. - You okay?
- Oh, my God. I have to go. - Okay. No, no. Go, go.
I'll see you later.
What's happening? Did the Chinese invade?
- Kazakhstan is stable. - What is it?
- A nuclear accident. - Oh, Lord. A weapon?
- A power plant. - Is it Russia?
San Andreo, California. They think it might blow up.
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