1 00:00:05,005 --> 00:00:06,607 Previously on The West Wing: 2 00:00:06,674 --> 00:00:08,476 I'm not sure I was clear before. 3 00:00:08,542 --> 00:00:10,111 We need to get back our focus. 4 00:00:10,178 --> 00:00:13,114 Work up a message calendar, like in the campaigns. 5 00:00:13,181 --> 00:00:15,616 Long term, I'm talking about something else. 6 00:00:15,683 --> 00:00:18,652 Not articulating the message, shaping it. 7 00:00:18,719 --> 00:00:20,054 We should discuss it. 8 00:00:21,889 --> 00:00:23,424 Not today. 9 00:00:29,029 --> 00:00:32,100 ( rain falling ) 10 00:00:33,033 --> 00:00:35,136 ( sighs ) 11 00:00:54,255 --> 00:00:55,523 ...welfare. 12 00:00:55,589 --> 00:00:58,926 ( applause ) 13 00:00:58,992 --> 00:01:01,129 ( applause continues ) 14 00:01:05,499 --> 00:01:07,435 And let us raise the minimum wage, 15 00:01:07,501 --> 00:01:10,904 so that work always pays more than welfare. 16 00:01:10,971 --> 00:01:12,273 ( applause ) 17 00:01:18,078 --> 00:01:20,080 ( phone ringing ) 18 00:01:20,148 --> 00:01:22,183 Oh. ( clattering ) 19 00:01:22,250 --> 00:01:24,652 ( phone ringing ) 20 00:01:27,121 --> 00:01:27,888 Yeah. 21 00:01:27,955 --> 00:01:29,123 TOBY: Hey. 22 00:01:29,190 --> 00:01:30,558 How much cash on hand did Gaines have 23 00:01:30,624 --> 00:01:32,660 in the last FEC filing period? 24 00:01:32,726 --> 00:01:34,195 The Senator? 25 00:01:34,262 --> 00:01:36,464 Gaines, cash on hand. 26 00:01:36,530 --> 00:01:38,832 310K. 27 00:01:38,899 --> 00:01:39,900 Almost nothing. 28 00:01:39,967 --> 00:01:40,868 It's not an election year. 29 00:01:40,934 --> 00:01:42,203 What's unusual about...? 30 00:01:42,270 --> 00:01:44,838 ( hangs up phone ) 31 00:02:00,821 --> 00:02:02,790 ( phone ringing ) 32 00:02:02,856 --> 00:02:03,857 This is Charlie. 33 00:02:03,924 --> 00:02:05,226 TOBY: Hey, what time's 34 00:02:05,293 --> 00:02:06,594 the President's wake-up call tomorrow? 35 00:02:06,660 --> 00:02:07,428 You mean today? 36 00:02:07,495 --> 00:02:09,463 Tomorrow, today, the next one. 37 00:02:09,530 --> 00:02:10,364 5:45. 38 00:02:10,431 --> 00:02:11,665 I'll make the call. 39 00:02:11,732 --> 00:02:12,533 Excuse me? 40 00:02:12,600 --> 00:02:13,867 I'll make his wake-up call. 41 00:02:13,934 --> 00:02:16,270 You, uh, sleep in. 42 00:02:23,911 --> 00:02:26,180 ( clock ticking ) 43 00:02:34,955 --> 00:02:38,392 ( phone ringing ) 44 00:02:40,194 --> 00:02:41,362 PRESIDENT: Yeah? 45 00:02:41,429 --> 00:02:43,564 TOBY: Good morning, Mr. President. 46 00:02:43,631 --> 00:02:47,968 Charlie, we're gonna surgically implant a snooze button. 47 00:02:48,035 --> 00:02:48,902 It won't hurt much. 48 00:02:48,969 --> 00:02:50,504 Uh, it's Toby, sir. 49 00:02:50,571 --> 00:02:52,640 If they're not giving you enough to do down there... 50 00:02:52,706 --> 00:02:54,642 I know, uh, this sounds crazy 51 00:02:54,708 --> 00:02:59,280 but I think we have two weeks, a two-week window. 52 00:02:59,347 --> 00:03:01,081 I need to see you alone, right now, 53 00:03:01,148 --> 00:03:02,583 because if I'm right about this... 54 00:03:02,650 --> 00:03:04,685 Toby, what are you talking about? 55 00:03:06,820 --> 00:03:09,490 I think I know how we can save Social Security. 56 00:03:57,738 --> 00:03:59,707 I think Gaines is leaving the Senate. 57 00:03:59,773 --> 00:04:02,142 I think he's not going to run again. 58 00:04:02,209 --> 00:04:05,212 'Cause he only has $310,000 cash on hand. 59 00:04:05,279 --> 00:04:06,347 Because he's not 60 00:04:06,414 --> 00:04:07,615 raising money. 61 00:04:07,681 --> 00:04:09,417 Because he was the only Republican 62 00:04:09,483 --> 00:04:11,485 to stand up and applaud a minimum wage hike 63 00:04:11,552 --> 00:04:12,786 at the State of the Union. 64 00:04:12,853 --> 00:04:14,322 Gaines, breaking ranks 65 00:04:14,388 --> 00:04:15,756 over the AFL-CIO's top issue. 66 00:04:15,823 --> 00:04:17,558 You think he'll announce his retirement? 67 00:04:17,625 --> 00:04:19,427 Illinois GOP dinner's in two weeks. 68 00:04:19,493 --> 00:04:21,462 If I'm right, he'll announce his intentions there. 69 00:04:21,529 --> 00:04:22,830 Always has. And? 70 00:04:22,896 --> 00:04:23,997 And he's been 71 00:04:24,064 --> 00:04:25,666 a leader on this for decades. 72 00:04:25,733 --> 00:04:27,801 Chairs the Social Security Subcommittee. 73 00:04:27,868 --> 00:04:31,539 Get him and a leading Democrat to agree on a fix, 74 00:04:31,605 --> 00:04:33,507 bring the House guys along, 75 00:04:33,574 --> 00:04:34,675 before anyone knows he's a lame duck. 76 00:04:34,742 --> 00:04:36,844 This just might be the break we need. 77 00:04:36,910 --> 00:04:38,612 To save Social Security. 78 00:04:38,679 --> 00:04:40,548 To save Social Security. Yes, sir. 79 00:04:40,614 --> 00:04:42,550 This is right after we colonize Ontario. 80 00:04:44,552 --> 00:04:47,355 Let's talk about reality. 81 00:04:47,421 --> 00:04:49,590 More college kids think they'll see UFOs 82 00:04:49,657 --> 00:04:51,258 than Social Security checks. 83 00:04:51,325 --> 00:04:53,126 But they don't tell you how many believe in UFOs. 84 00:04:53,193 --> 00:04:54,895 That's the number we ought to be worried about. 85 00:04:54,962 --> 00:04:56,697 The number of retirees is going to double. 86 00:04:56,764 --> 00:04:59,633 If we do nothing, the trust fund will go broke. 87 00:05:01,569 --> 00:05:04,338 One Senator's retirement means we can save it? 88 00:05:04,405 --> 00:05:06,807 One Senator who's been the leader on it. 89 00:05:06,874 --> 00:05:09,309 One Senator with the stature to bring his party along. 90 00:05:09,377 --> 00:05:10,644 One Senator who's never had a President 91 00:05:10,711 --> 00:05:12,279 willing to meet him halfway. 92 00:05:12,346 --> 00:05:15,383 Republicans will want to divert a chunk of Social Security 93 00:05:15,449 --> 00:05:16,617 into private investment. 94 00:05:16,684 --> 00:05:18,619 Think Democrats will go along with that? 95 00:05:18,686 --> 00:05:20,888 I'm not saying there aren't sticking points. 96 00:05:20,954 --> 00:05:22,055 More like crazy glue. 97 00:05:22,122 --> 00:05:23,991 Think Republicans will raise payroll taxes? 98 00:05:24,057 --> 00:05:25,893 I think we have to have the conversation. 99 00:05:25,959 --> 00:05:28,529 I... can't give you the exact plan yet. 100 00:05:28,596 --> 00:05:30,698 'Cause you can't save Social Security 101 00:05:30,764 --> 00:05:32,900 without cutting benefits or raising taxes. 102 00:05:32,966 --> 00:05:35,469 And this is the largest meeting in Washington 103 00:05:35,536 --> 00:05:36,904 where anyone's ever admitted it. 104 00:05:38,739 --> 00:05:40,508 When Social Security goes bankrupt, 105 00:05:40,574 --> 00:05:43,210 are we going to call that a benefit cut? 106 00:05:43,276 --> 00:05:44,745 Let's talk to Gaines. 107 00:05:44,812 --> 00:05:47,715 If it becomes public we've even discussed this, 108 00:05:47,781 --> 00:05:49,717 both sides will go crazy. 109 00:05:49,783 --> 00:05:52,753 It'd jeopardize our whole agenda on the Hill. 110 00:05:54,388 --> 00:05:55,989 ( sighs ) 111 00:05:57,925 --> 00:05:59,393 What if I do it? 112 00:05:59,460 --> 00:06:01,562 I'll do all the negotiating. 113 00:06:01,629 --> 00:06:02,896 You'll have total deniability. 114 00:06:02,963 --> 00:06:04,732 No one else in this building has to know. 115 00:06:04,798 --> 00:06:05,799 Yeah, and if it blows up, I'm supposed 116 00:06:05,866 --> 00:06:07,435 to pretend we've never met? 117 00:06:07,501 --> 00:06:09,102 We'll always have Paris. 118 00:06:11,038 --> 00:06:14,007 Mr. President, life expectancy's rising, 119 00:06:14,074 --> 00:06:17,478 the biggest generation ever 120 00:06:17,545 --> 00:06:19,747 is retiring, and we don't have the money! 121 00:06:19,813 --> 00:06:22,950 Every year we wait means we have to cut deeper, 122 00:06:23,016 --> 00:06:24,485 take away more, 123 00:06:24,552 --> 00:06:26,119 till Social Security's not enough to live on, 124 00:06:26,186 --> 00:06:29,122 till retirement's a one-way ticket to a flophouse! 125 00:06:29,189 --> 00:06:30,257 We have an opening. 126 00:06:30,323 --> 00:06:31,859 There's 17 ways to fix it. 127 00:06:31,925 --> 00:06:34,828 20 years of blue-ribbon commissions have told us how. 128 00:06:34,895 --> 00:06:37,130 This isn't a government program; 129 00:06:37,197 --> 00:06:38,699 it is a moral covenant. 130 00:06:38,766 --> 00:06:40,601 We don't want to be the administration 131 00:06:40,668 --> 00:06:41,769 that saves it from oblivion? 132 00:06:41,835 --> 00:06:45,038 We don't want that legacy? 133 00:06:45,105 --> 00:06:47,407 Social Security is the third rail of American politics. 134 00:06:47,475 --> 00:06:49,109 Touch it, and you die. 135 00:06:49,176 --> 00:06:51,879 That's 'cause the third rail's where all the power is. 136 00:06:57,785 --> 00:07:00,320 Talk to Gaines, but just talk. 137 00:07:00,387 --> 00:07:02,823 And no one else in this building knows. 138 00:07:02,890 --> 00:07:04,658 Thank you, Mr. President. 139 00:07:04,725 --> 00:07:07,695 C.J.: We have nothing to announce today. 140 00:07:07,761 --> 00:07:09,096 No policy, no summit meetings. 141 00:07:09,162 --> 00:07:11,565 Not even a warm front meeting up with a cold front. 142 00:07:11,632 --> 00:07:13,400 We've been over this. We need a hard news announcement 143 00:07:13,467 --> 00:07:15,368 each and every day, or the press runs amok. 144 00:07:15,435 --> 00:07:16,770 That's Toby's job. 145 00:07:16,837 --> 00:07:18,672 What am I, the White House Complaint Center? 146 00:07:18,739 --> 00:07:20,140 You run the policy shops. 147 00:07:20,207 --> 00:07:21,475 Besides, Toby's avoiding me. 148 00:07:21,542 --> 00:07:22,576 Well, maybe no news is good news. 149 00:07:22,643 --> 00:07:24,311 No news is very, very bad news. 150 00:07:24,377 --> 00:07:26,547 If we're not running offense, we're running defense. 151 00:07:26,614 --> 00:07:27,815 And if we're playing defense, 152 00:07:27,881 --> 00:07:29,517 then there's some clever sports analogy 153 00:07:29,583 --> 00:07:30,884 that explains what happens then. 154 00:07:30,951 --> 00:07:31,418 We're screwed. 155 00:07:31,485 --> 00:07:32,820 That'll do. 156 00:07:32,886 --> 00:07:34,354 I thought we were proposing 157 00:07:34,421 --> 00:07:36,389 that streamlining of Federal Adoption Law. 158 00:07:36,456 --> 00:07:37,591 DPC says it's not ready, 159 00:07:37,658 --> 00:07:39,026 OMB says it's not revenue-neutral, 160 00:07:39,092 --> 00:07:41,194 and I'm declaring a war on all acronyms. 161 00:07:41,261 --> 00:07:43,564 Well, there's got to be something happening somewhere. 162 00:07:43,631 --> 00:07:44,665 It's a big government. 163 00:07:44,732 --> 00:07:45,799 That time I accused the Speaker 164 00:07:45,866 --> 00:07:47,434 of welshing on committee assignments 165 00:07:47,501 --> 00:07:49,069 and had to apologize to the Welsh people? 166 00:07:49,136 --> 00:07:50,103 Slow news day. 167 00:07:50,170 --> 00:07:51,705 Here's something: 168 00:07:51,772 --> 00:07:54,441 The Argentine Economic Attaché's meeting at NEC today. 169 00:07:54,508 --> 00:07:55,743 There's your offensive play. 170 00:07:55,809 --> 00:07:58,078 On... cabbage imports. 171 00:07:58,145 --> 00:07:59,079 Oh. Back to the huddle. 172 00:07:59,146 --> 00:08:00,814 Bring him in, make it around lunchtime. 173 00:08:00,881 --> 00:08:02,516 We'll find a better way to feed the beast. 174 00:08:02,583 --> 00:08:03,383 Please, 'cause the alternative's 175 00:08:03,450 --> 00:08:04,284 that it feeds on us. 176 00:08:04,351 --> 00:08:05,786 GAINES: Toby! 177 00:08:05,853 --> 00:08:09,557 Senator, could I have a minute of your time alone? 178 00:08:09,623 --> 00:08:11,592 Okay, you've got it. 179 00:08:11,659 --> 00:08:13,594 I think you're not running for reelection. 180 00:08:13,661 --> 00:08:15,128 I think that because you broke ranks, 181 00:08:15,195 --> 00:08:17,264 stood up and applauded a minimum wage hike 182 00:08:17,330 --> 00:08:18,699 at the State of the Union, 183 00:08:18,766 --> 00:08:20,968 and because you barely raised a dime last quarter. 184 00:08:21,034 --> 00:08:22,202 And? 185 00:08:22,269 --> 00:08:24,171 And I'm offering you what I think could be 186 00:08:24,237 --> 00:08:26,173 the crowning achievement of your career. 187 00:08:26,239 --> 00:08:28,876 You want me to applaud the President more often. 188 00:08:28,942 --> 00:08:30,811 I want us to try to save Social Security. 189 00:08:30,878 --> 00:08:32,345 I'll bring the President, 190 00:08:32,412 --> 00:08:34,982 along with a leading Senate Democrat to the table. 191 00:08:35,048 --> 00:08:36,717 Then we'll simonize the Hoover Dam? 192 00:08:36,784 --> 00:08:38,285 Well, let's do this first. 193 00:08:38,351 --> 00:08:40,153 You've been good on this issue. 194 00:08:40,220 --> 00:08:42,022 Your political hacks in the White House haven't. 195 00:08:42,089 --> 00:08:43,456 This'll be a day without politics. 196 00:08:43,523 --> 00:08:44,925 Mm-hmm, and here's how it'll go: 197 00:08:44,992 --> 00:08:48,161 I'll say, "Let's have personal savings accounts 198 00:08:48,228 --> 00:08:50,397 so, God forbid, people can invest their own money," 199 00:08:50,463 --> 00:08:52,633 and Josh Lyman's hatchet factory will say 200 00:08:52,700 --> 00:08:54,101 I'm trying to turn Social Security 201 00:08:54,167 --> 00:08:55,168 into stock market bingo. 202 00:08:55,235 --> 00:08:56,737 Everything's on the table. 203 00:08:56,804 --> 00:08:59,439 I'll say, "Let's trim the cost of living adjustment," 204 00:08:59,506 --> 00:09:01,141 and they'll haul out elderly widows 205 00:09:01,208 --> 00:09:02,743 who are getting $740 a month 206 00:09:02,810 --> 00:09:04,812 and say I want them eating cat food on the street. 207 00:09:04,878 --> 00:09:07,080 Everything is on the table. 208 00:09:07,147 --> 00:09:08,949 I'm asking you to take one step, 209 00:09:09,016 --> 00:09:10,618 one small step toward greatness. 210 00:09:10,684 --> 00:09:12,485 You chair the subcommittee. 211 00:09:12,552 --> 00:09:15,923 You're the one who can deliver House and Senate Republicans. 212 00:09:15,989 --> 00:09:18,325 Funny, I knew the perfect Republican 213 00:09:18,391 --> 00:09:19,459 to lead this in the House. 214 00:09:19,526 --> 00:09:20,694 Deeply committed to reform. 215 00:09:20,761 --> 00:09:21,595 Senator, I... 216 00:09:21,662 --> 00:09:23,030 Jim Carney was his name, 217 00:09:23,096 --> 00:09:25,265 and I think he's in a different line of work now. 218 00:09:25,332 --> 00:09:27,835 Are you willing to let the trust fund go completely broke? 219 00:09:27,901 --> 00:09:30,370 'Cause let's face it, that'll lead to the... 220 00:09:30,437 --> 00:09:31,772 to the mother of all tax increases 221 00:09:31,839 --> 00:09:34,675 or the total collapse of the system. 222 00:09:34,742 --> 00:09:36,710 Is that the legacy you want to leave? 223 00:09:36,777 --> 00:09:38,846 One step, Senator. 224 00:09:38,912 --> 00:09:42,182 That's all I'm asking. 225 00:09:42,249 --> 00:09:44,985 I'll need a Democrat, 226 00:09:45,052 --> 00:09:46,987 and he better be a heavyweight. 227 00:09:56,196 --> 00:09:57,831 Hey. The, uh, Vice President's speech 228 00:09:57,898 --> 00:09:59,967 to the Detroit Economic Club wasn't half-bad. 229 00:10:00,033 --> 00:10:01,068 Thanks. 230 00:10:01,134 --> 00:10:02,469 What'd you want to talk about? 231 00:10:02,535 --> 00:10:04,071 It's his, uh, presentation problem. 232 00:10:04,137 --> 00:10:05,338 I know. 233 00:10:05,405 --> 00:10:07,040 People agree with everything Russell says... 234 00:10:07,107 --> 00:10:08,108 Until he says it. 235 00:10:08,175 --> 00:10:09,309 That's the greatest sin in politics, 236 00:10:09,376 --> 00:10:10,277 to be bad on television. 237 00:10:10,343 --> 00:10:11,645 Did you and Toby ever have 238 00:10:11,712 --> 00:10:13,380 presentation problems with the President? 239 00:10:13,446 --> 00:10:15,548 First campaign, every speech 240 00:10:15,615 --> 00:10:17,851 was an 18-point plan for something-or-other. 241 00:10:17,918 --> 00:10:19,052 How'd you handle that? 242 00:10:19,119 --> 00:10:20,553 We gave him an 18-point plan 243 00:10:20,620 --> 00:10:22,489 to make his speeches snappier. 244 00:10:22,555 --> 00:10:24,457 Russell's instinct is to make fun of his blandness, 245 00:10:24,524 --> 00:10:26,426 salt his speeches with self-deprecating jokes. 246 00:10:26,493 --> 00:10:27,294 Such as? 247 00:10:27,360 --> 00:10:28,862 "Bob Russell is so dull, 248 00:10:28,929 --> 00:10:31,098 his Secret Service code name is 'Bob Russell'." 249 00:10:31,164 --> 00:10:32,132 That's not bad. 250 00:10:32,199 --> 00:10:33,400 "Bob Russell's an inspiration 251 00:10:33,466 --> 00:10:34,567 "to the millions of Americans 252 00:10:34,634 --> 00:10:36,036 who suffer from Dutch Elm disease." 253 00:10:36,103 --> 00:10:36,937 Use that, you're going to have 254 00:10:37,004 --> 00:10:37,905 a Sierra Club problem. 255 00:10:37,971 --> 00:10:39,439 That's where we used it. 256 00:10:39,506 --> 00:10:42,242 Problem is, telling people you're dull 257 00:10:42,309 --> 00:10:43,376 just removes all doubt. 258 00:10:43,443 --> 00:10:45,746 Russell needs to confound expectations. 259 00:10:45,813 --> 00:10:48,048 Do something to really shock the party faithful. 260 00:10:48,115 --> 00:10:51,484 And I may have something... about Gaines. 261 00:10:51,551 --> 00:10:52,786 Senator Gaines? 262 00:10:52,853 --> 00:10:53,954 Did Toby meet with him this morning? 263 00:10:54,021 --> 00:10:55,422 Why? 264 00:10:55,488 --> 00:10:57,390 Polk from The Wall Street Journal just asked me. 265 00:10:57,457 --> 00:10:58,792 I said I had no idea. 266 00:10:58,859 --> 00:11:00,660 For once in my life, I was telling the truth. 267 00:11:00,728 --> 00:11:04,064 Yeah, uh, that meeting was... 268 00:11:04,131 --> 00:11:07,367 Yeah, let me get back to you about Russell. 269 00:11:07,434 --> 00:11:09,536 The code name thing, 270 00:11:09,602 --> 00:11:11,104 that's funny. 271 00:11:25,585 --> 00:11:27,387 How you doing? 272 00:11:30,523 --> 00:11:31,859 ( sighs ) 273 00:11:31,925 --> 00:11:33,293 ( sniffles ) 274 00:11:33,360 --> 00:11:34,694 Nobody here talks to me. 275 00:11:36,797 --> 00:11:39,166 I don't think they like me. 276 00:11:39,232 --> 00:11:41,034 Not really, no. 277 00:11:44,071 --> 00:11:45,138 Come here. 278 00:11:52,279 --> 00:11:55,682 Can you handle something confidential? 279 00:11:55,749 --> 00:11:57,785 Photocopying, pulling documents, 280 00:11:57,851 --> 00:11:59,753 answering my private line. 281 00:11:59,820 --> 00:12:01,221 Thank you. 282 00:12:01,288 --> 00:12:02,522 It's grunt work. 283 00:12:02,589 --> 00:12:03,556 I-I won't let you down. 284 00:12:03,623 --> 00:12:04,825 Trained animals could do it. 285 00:12:04,892 --> 00:12:06,659 Mr. Ziegler, I'm honored. 286 00:12:06,726 --> 00:12:08,195 Cut the act, okay? 287 00:12:08,261 --> 00:12:11,631 I'm offering you the chance to do something real. 288 00:12:11,698 --> 00:12:13,801 I need you to comb through 289 00:12:13,867 --> 00:12:16,870 the Social Security reports on this table. 290 00:12:16,937 --> 00:12:18,705 Pull and copy every page with the names 291 00:12:18,772 --> 00:12:20,273 "Gaines" or "Brainerd." 292 00:12:20,340 --> 00:12:22,509 Tell anyone what you're doing, or even what the topic is, 293 00:12:22,575 --> 00:12:25,645 become any more likable before this project is over... 294 00:12:25,712 --> 00:12:27,114 ( knocking on door ) 295 00:12:32,752 --> 00:12:34,221 Is this a bad time to...? 296 00:12:34,287 --> 00:12:35,455 No. 297 00:12:40,828 --> 00:12:41,795 What do you need? 298 00:12:41,862 --> 00:12:42,963 Polk at the Journal 299 00:12:43,030 --> 00:12:44,597 says you met with Gaines? 300 00:12:44,664 --> 00:12:46,934 Yeah, it's nothing. 301 00:12:47,000 --> 00:12:48,768 This wasn't about the tax bill. 302 00:12:48,836 --> 00:12:50,603 Uh... I bumped into him on the Hill. 303 00:12:50,670 --> 00:12:52,072 If you were even whispering 304 00:12:52,139 --> 00:12:53,340 about a deal on taxes, you'd tell me, right? 305 00:12:53,406 --> 00:12:54,842 What do you think? 306 00:12:54,908 --> 00:12:56,043 Our guys don't want a deal. They're counting 307 00:12:56,109 --> 00:12:57,410 on that issue for the midterms. 308 00:12:57,477 --> 00:12:59,046 What issues aren't they counting on? 309 00:12:59,112 --> 00:13:00,981 So the 310K you called me about...? 310 00:13:01,048 --> 00:13:03,083 It's a coincidence. 311 00:13:03,150 --> 00:13:04,317 Okay. 312 00:13:10,290 --> 00:13:12,759 Donna! 313 00:13:12,826 --> 00:13:14,527 Tell Will I'm coming over to see him. 314 00:13:14,594 --> 00:13:16,063 What about? 315 00:13:16,129 --> 00:13:18,498 I've got a little surprise for Senator Gaines. 316 00:13:18,565 --> 00:13:20,400 May not be such a slow news day, after all. 317 00:13:28,808 --> 00:13:30,743 Mr. Polk, to what do I owe the pressure. 318 00:13:30,810 --> 00:13:31,778 I need a comment. 319 00:13:31,845 --> 00:13:32,812 Can it wait till the briefing? 320 00:13:32,880 --> 00:13:34,347 Not really. 321 00:13:34,414 --> 00:13:36,516 The Journal doesn't even have a bulldog edition. 322 00:13:36,583 --> 00:13:38,151 You might need some time on this one. 323 00:13:38,218 --> 00:13:39,619 Toby's been meeting on the Hill. 324 00:13:39,686 --> 00:13:42,022 I want to know if it's on Social Security. 325 00:13:42,089 --> 00:13:43,623 I'm sure it's not. 326 00:13:43,690 --> 00:13:46,293 A member of Senator Gaine'' staff says it might be. 327 00:13:46,359 --> 00:13:48,261 Do you know how many rounds we've gone on this issue? 328 00:13:48,328 --> 00:13:50,030 They're just picking a fight. 329 00:13:50,097 --> 00:13:51,364 In person, obviously, 330 00:13:51,431 --> 00:13:53,100 'cause Gaines met Toby an hour ago. 331 00:13:53,166 --> 00:13:55,468 This is what I get on a slow news day-- 332 00:13:55,535 --> 00:13:57,504 no bulldog edition, but plenty... 333 00:13:57,570 --> 00:13:59,072 Plenty of bulldogs. 334 00:13:59,139 --> 00:14:00,573 Check it out, C.J. 335 00:14:02,842 --> 00:14:04,377 Half an hour, Senator. The Mall's fine. 336 00:14:04,444 --> 00:14:06,813 A reporter from the Wall Street Journal called. 337 00:14:06,880 --> 00:14:07,915 No press calls today. 338 00:14:07,981 --> 00:14:08,815 He said it was urgent. 339 00:14:08,882 --> 00:14:10,050 I'm sure. 340 00:14:11,318 --> 00:14:13,486 Can I ask you a question? 341 00:14:13,553 --> 00:14:14,922 What? 342 00:14:14,988 --> 00:14:16,023 There's something I don't understand 343 00:14:16,089 --> 00:14:17,557 about Social Security. 344 00:14:17,624 --> 00:14:18,591 Then you could be a member of Congress. 345 00:14:18,658 --> 00:14:19,960 All these reports say 346 00:14:20,027 --> 00:14:20,928 it's going broke if we don't fix it. 347 00:14:20,994 --> 00:14:22,462 But if we all pay into it, 348 00:14:22,529 --> 00:14:24,264 why don't we just get our money back when we retire? 349 00:14:24,331 --> 00:14:30,137 Your Social Security taxes pay for today's retirees. 350 00:14:30,203 --> 00:14:31,905 Then why won't somebody else's taxes 351 00:14:31,972 --> 00:14:33,040 pay for my retirement? 352 00:14:33,106 --> 00:14:35,108 Because when the Baby Boomers retire, 353 00:14:35,175 --> 00:14:37,610 there'll be only two people working for every retiree, 354 00:14:37,677 --> 00:14:42,115 down from 42 workers per retiree when the system started. 355 00:14:43,616 --> 00:14:45,185 Hey, who's James Carney? 356 00:14:45,252 --> 00:14:47,220 Jim. What about him? 357 00:14:47,287 --> 00:14:49,422 He's all over these reports 358 00:14:49,489 --> 00:14:51,458 and he chaired the last two commissions. 359 00:14:51,524 --> 00:14:53,726 If Senator Gaines won't help, could you ask him? 360 00:14:53,793 --> 00:14:56,129 The chickens of our empty roost are coming home to roost. 361 00:14:56,196 --> 00:14:57,330 Sorry. I've been... 362 00:14:57,397 --> 00:14:58,966 It's been busy. 363 00:14:59,032 --> 00:15:00,167 It's a glacially slow news day, Toby. 364 00:15:00,233 --> 00:15:01,501 I've had three calls 365 00:15:01,568 --> 00:15:03,136 about staff financial disclosure forms, 366 00:15:03,203 --> 00:15:04,571 one Freedom of Information request 367 00:15:04,637 --> 00:15:05,973 to inspect the First Lady's shoe closet... 368 00:15:06,039 --> 00:15:06,974 Didn't know it covered insoles. 369 00:15:07,040 --> 00:15:07,874 Now the Wall Street Journal 370 00:15:07,941 --> 00:15:08,908 thinks you and Gaines 371 00:15:08,976 --> 00:15:10,543 are reforming Social Security. 372 00:15:10,610 --> 00:15:13,380 What were you talking about with Gaines, 373 00:15:13,446 --> 00:15:15,182 his volumetric ethanol amendment? 374 00:15:32,899 --> 00:15:34,767 You can't tell Leo. 375 00:15:34,834 --> 00:15:36,036 It isn't true, is it? 376 00:15:36,103 --> 00:15:37,837 I need the press off my trail, 377 00:15:37,904 --> 00:15:39,472 for just a couple of days. 378 00:15:39,539 --> 00:15:40,740 It's close-hold. 379 00:15:40,807 --> 00:15:41,941 Close-hold from Leo? 380 00:15:47,814 --> 00:15:49,949 Okay... 381 00:15:53,253 --> 00:15:54,921 Like your new office. 382 00:15:54,988 --> 00:15:56,556 Has the advantage of being remote. 383 00:15:56,623 --> 00:15:58,925 It's a nice place to visit, a wonderful place to park. 384 00:15:58,992 --> 00:16:01,028 Two doors down is the international date line. 385 00:16:01,094 --> 00:16:02,629 I got the answer to your Russell conundrum. 386 00:16:02,695 --> 00:16:04,097 Forget the dull jokes. 387 00:16:04,164 --> 00:16:06,599 The real problem in the Democratic Party these days 388 00:16:06,666 --> 00:16:07,867 is morale, right? 389 00:16:07,934 --> 00:16:08,835 So, Russell 390 00:16:08,901 --> 00:16:10,470 comes out of the gate 391 00:16:10,537 --> 00:16:13,573 as a seltzer-bottle-squirting partisan, the happy warrior, 392 00:16:13,640 --> 00:16:17,244 the guy who puts the fun back in Democratic politics. 393 00:16:17,310 --> 00:16:18,145 Fun? 394 00:16:18,211 --> 00:16:19,612 From a guy who needs a strobe light 395 00:16:19,679 --> 00:16:20,413 to look like he's moving? 396 00:16:20,480 --> 00:16:21,981 Write that down. Got it. 397 00:16:22,049 --> 00:16:23,483 Did you know that Gaines raised 398 00:16:23,550 --> 00:16:27,320 an anemic, pathetic 310 grand last quarter? 399 00:16:27,387 --> 00:16:28,621 Does he even have an opponent yet? 400 00:16:28,688 --> 00:16:29,789 No, but it's a crack in the plaster, 401 00:16:29,856 --> 00:16:31,224 a chink in the armor. 402 00:16:31,291 --> 00:16:33,393 We're going to have some fun at his expense. 403 00:16:33,460 --> 00:16:34,561 Okay. 404 00:16:34,627 --> 00:16:36,429 I'm talking about political theater-- 405 00:16:36,496 --> 00:16:38,698 the stuff you do in a campaign to energize your base, 406 00:16:38,765 --> 00:16:39,899 wake 'em up. 407 00:16:39,966 --> 00:16:41,734 Russell travels to Gaines' hometown, 408 00:16:41,801 --> 00:16:45,572 puts out a change jar and stages a mock fund-raiser. 409 00:16:45,638 --> 00:16:48,541 To show Gaines is so far outside the mainstream, 410 00:16:48,608 --> 00:16:49,642 that's why he's broke. 411 00:16:49,709 --> 00:16:51,478 He drops a nickel in the jar for each 412 00:16:51,544 --> 00:16:52,679 of Gaines' retrograde positions. 413 00:16:52,745 --> 00:16:54,814 Tahitian tax shelters, ka-ching. 414 00:16:54,881 --> 00:16:56,616 Privatizing Social Security. How'd you...? 415 00:16:56,683 --> 00:16:58,985 Ka-ching. It's a partisan stunt. 416 00:16:59,052 --> 00:16:59,986 Russell could do one every week. 417 00:17:00,053 --> 00:17:01,521 It fires up the troops, 418 00:17:01,588 --> 00:17:02,822 shows that while the other side's complacent... 419 00:17:02,889 --> 00:17:04,057 We're ready to throw down. 420 00:17:04,124 --> 00:17:05,325 Little too much fun there. 421 00:17:05,392 --> 00:17:07,194 Sorry. Slow news day. 422 00:17:09,396 --> 00:17:13,133 Lots of bored political reporters out there. 423 00:17:13,200 --> 00:17:15,335 TOBY: Gaines is willing to risk his career for this. 424 00:17:15,402 --> 00:17:16,303 You just have to meet him halfway. 425 00:17:16,369 --> 00:17:17,470 Where's the President? 426 00:17:17,537 --> 00:17:19,172 A hundred percent behind this. 427 00:17:19,239 --> 00:17:21,408 We just have to get you and Gaines in a room, 428 00:17:21,474 --> 00:17:23,376 hammer out a deal Democrats can support. 429 00:17:23,443 --> 00:17:24,977 I won't raise the retirement age. 430 00:17:25,044 --> 00:17:26,779 No, no, no-- we have to share the pain. 431 00:17:26,846 --> 00:17:28,081 Easy for us to say. 432 00:17:28,148 --> 00:17:29,716 We don't carry sheet metal for a living. 433 00:17:29,782 --> 00:17:32,085 We don't work hard, physical jobs like welding, plumbing. 434 00:17:32,152 --> 00:17:33,820 Americans are retiring in their 60's, 435 00:17:33,886 --> 00:17:34,954 living until their 80's. 436 00:17:35,021 --> 00:17:36,123 FDR didn't intend to pay 437 00:17:36,189 --> 00:17:37,390 for 20 years of shuffleboard. 438 00:17:37,457 --> 00:17:39,426 Tell that to the sheet metal worker 439 00:17:39,492 --> 00:17:41,027 whose tendons are shot by 55. 440 00:17:41,094 --> 00:17:42,195 Having no Social Security 441 00:17:42,262 --> 00:17:43,496 works wonders on the tendons. 442 00:17:43,563 --> 00:17:45,098 You're not worried about political fallout. 443 00:17:45,165 --> 00:17:47,100 Yes I am, Senator. 444 00:17:47,167 --> 00:17:49,736 But this isn't politics, it's history, 445 00:17:49,802 --> 00:17:52,539 and there is no easy way to get in the book. 446 00:17:56,509 --> 00:17:57,810 I'll talk. 447 00:17:57,877 --> 00:17:59,712 No commitments, but I'll talk. 448 00:18:07,387 --> 00:18:09,356 The guy from the Argentine Embassy's here. 449 00:18:09,422 --> 00:18:11,258 See if he has anything we can announce. 450 00:18:11,324 --> 00:18:12,592 You'll want to ask him yourself. 451 00:18:14,761 --> 00:18:15,962 Ms. Cregg. 452 00:18:16,028 --> 00:18:17,497 This'll have to be a short meeting. 453 00:18:17,564 --> 00:18:19,532 I knew this wasn't like shooting fish in a barrel-- 454 00:18:19,599 --> 00:18:21,768 not that I've ever shot fish in a barrel-- 455 00:18:21,834 --> 00:18:24,404 but we don't have anything to announce today 456 00:18:24,471 --> 00:18:27,207 and I thought maybe your cabbage import penetration talks 457 00:18:27,274 --> 00:18:28,208 would yield... 458 00:18:28,275 --> 00:18:30,577 some, uh... 459 00:18:30,643 --> 00:18:33,946 cabbage... 460 00:18:34,013 --> 00:18:35,182 agreement. 461 00:18:35,248 --> 00:18:36,449 There is no agreement. 462 00:18:36,516 --> 00:18:38,651 There's only mutual respect. 463 00:18:38,718 --> 00:18:43,656 Well, that's not newsworthy, perhaps, but certainly... 464 00:18:43,723 --> 00:18:44,724 Do you like cabbage? 465 00:18:44,791 --> 00:18:47,194 Not so much, really. 466 00:18:47,260 --> 00:18:50,697 On occasion, I see the appeal. 467 00:18:52,665 --> 00:18:55,935 Been a while since I've tried it, actually. 468 00:18:56,002 --> 00:18:59,406 You are a... a woman. 469 00:18:59,472 --> 00:19:01,274 And no news there either, 470 00:19:01,341 --> 00:19:05,545 though, at this point, I'm willing to go with it. 471 00:19:07,347 --> 00:19:08,915 CAROL: They're waiting in the Briefing Room. 472 00:19:08,981 --> 00:19:11,484 Thank you. Thank you, Mister... 473 00:19:11,551 --> 00:19:14,086 Carrio, Carlos Carrio. 474 00:19:14,153 --> 00:19:16,789 Carrio. 475 00:19:16,856 --> 00:19:18,958 Thank you. 476 00:19:19,025 --> 00:19:22,429 Thank you for... 477 00:19:22,495 --> 00:19:24,197 whatever it was that was. 478 00:19:28,067 --> 00:19:29,469 How come you wanted 479 00:19:29,536 --> 00:19:31,003 all that press guidance on ethanol? 480 00:19:31,070 --> 00:19:34,106 Because I'm about to get hammered on Social Security. 481 00:19:34,173 --> 00:19:35,575 Silly me. 482 00:19:35,642 --> 00:19:37,610 If I tug my left ear, create a diversion. 483 00:19:39,412 --> 00:19:40,580 Good afternoon, folks. 484 00:19:40,647 --> 00:19:42,482 I have an important announcement to make. 485 00:19:42,549 --> 00:19:46,052 In the coming weeks, the President plans to focus 486 00:19:46,118 --> 00:19:47,854 on raising education standards. 487 00:19:47,920 --> 00:19:49,956 it's a big juicy policy story no one's written. 488 00:19:50,022 --> 00:19:51,057 Don't all pounce at once. 489 00:19:51,123 --> 00:19:52,359 Chris. What's new about that? 490 00:19:52,425 --> 00:19:53,860 The President's laser-beam focus. 491 00:19:53,926 --> 00:19:56,363 MAN: Which he mentioned in the State of the Union. 492 00:19:56,429 --> 00:19:57,930 And obviously you'll want to delve into specifics. 493 00:19:57,997 --> 00:19:59,266 Gordon. 494 00:19:59,332 --> 00:20:00,500 I'm hearing you were going to propose changes 495 00:20:00,567 --> 00:20:01,668 to federal adoption law. 496 00:20:01,734 --> 00:20:03,102 We hope to announce them soon, 497 00:20:03,169 --> 00:20:04,637 to streamline the bureaucracy 498 00:20:04,704 --> 00:20:06,739 and find more children loving homes. 499 00:20:06,806 --> 00:20:09,141 I'm hearing the changes included a preference for younger parents. 500 00:20:09,208 --> 00:20:11,110 I haven't reviewed the language. 501 00:20:11,177 --> 00:20:12,845 The Bartlets have combined age of 111. 502 00:20:12,912 --> 00:20:14,314 What are you suggesting. 503 00:20:14,381 --> 00:20:15,715 Did the first couple kill the announcement 504 00:20:15,782 --> 00:20:17,650 because they're considering adopting a baby? 505 00:20:17,717 --> 00:20:19,452 If they're adopting shouldn't they recuse themselves...? 506 00:20:19,519 --> 00:20:21,187 Polk's got a policy question. 507 00:20:21,254 --> 00:20:23,189 I'm fine. 508 00:20:23,256 --> 00:20:25,057 The Bartlets had nothing to do with delaying this announcement. 509 00:20:25,124 --> 00:20:27,026 Meaning they're out of the loop? 510 00:20:27,093 --> 00:20:28,928 Meaning everyone ought to have the right to adopt-- 511 00:20:28,995 --> 00:20:31,464 you, me, the First Couple, the Dalai Lama 512 00:20:31,531 --> 00:20:33,199 and this briefing is officially over. 513 00:20:33,266 --> 00:20:34,634 But we don't have any news to file. 514 00:20:34,701 --> 00:20:35,968 Like a blank page would kill you. 515 00:20:36,035 --> 00:20:37,270 Polk, follow me. 516 00:20:40,440 --> 00:20:42,008 You didn't ask your question. 517 00:20:42,074 --> 00:20:43,610 Why share it with the room? 518 00:20:43,676 --> 00:20:45,144 'Cause they like flimsy rumors and innuendo, too. 519 00:20:45,211 --> 00:20:46,846 I've got a second source. 520 00:20:46,913 --> 00:20:49,482 You'll see how flimsy it is in tomorrow's Journal. 521 00:20:49,549 --> 00:20:51,418 TOBY: Brainerd says she'll talk. 522 00:20:51,484 --> 00:20:53,520 No commitments yet, but she'll talk. 523 00:20:53,586 --> 00:20:55,388 Maybe we can start a book club. 524 00:20:55,455 --> 00:20:57,857 She's the ranking Democrat on Finance. 525 00:20:57,924 --> 00:20:59,258 It's a good first step. 526 00:20:59,326 --> 00:21:00,860 I just heard from two reporters 527 00:21:00,927 --> 00:21:03,463 that Bob Russell and the Bartlet smear machine 528 00:21:03,530 --> 00:21:06,032 are planning to attack me on Social Security, 529 00:21:06,098 --> 00:21:08,868 make a circus out of my fund-raising weakness. 530 00:21:08,935 --> 00:21:10,269 Is that the second step? 531 00:21:10,337 --> 00:21:12,271 I don't know what you're talking about. 532 00:21:12,339 --> 00:21:13,340 Either you're lying, 533 00:21:13,406 --> 00:21:14,841 or the left hand doesn't know 534 00:21:14,907 --> 00:21:16,275 what the far-left hand is doing. 535 00:21:16,343 --> 00:21:17,510 I'm not lying. 536 00:21:17,577 --> 00:21:19,612 You know what happened to Carney. 537 00:21:19,679 --> 00:21:22,148 He commissioned one lousy CBO analysis 538 00:21:22,214 --> 00:21:24,016 on raising the retirement age. 539 00:21:24,083 --> 00:21:25,552 I can fix this. 540 00:21:25,618 --> 00:21:28,988 Josh Lyman ran ads with 90-year-olds in hard hats, 541 00:21:29,055 --> 00:21:30,357 working construction: 542 00:21:30,423 --> 00:21:33,593 "the Carney Social Security plan." 543 00:21:33,660 --> 00:21:35,362 Lost his seat by 11 points. 544 00:21:35,428 --> 00:21:36,763 I'll stop whatever this is. 545 00:21:36,829 --> 00:21:38,030 11 points. 546 00:21:38,097 --> 00:21:39,065 You're not running this time. 547 00:21:39,131 --> 00:21:40,600 Who said I wasn't running? 548 00:21:40,667 --> 00:21:43,536 I thought it was time to raise the minimum wage. 549 00:21:43,603 --> 00:21:46,005 You have to trust me. 550 00:21:46,072 --> 00:21:47,574 I don't. 551 00:21:47,640 --> 00:21:49,509 And even if I did put my neck on the line 552 00:21:49,576 --> 00:21:51,978 with my own party by scaling back private accounts, 553 00:21:52,044 --> 00:21:53,746 you and your guys would never give up 554 00:21:53,813 --> 00:21:55,014 your favorite partisan attack. 555 00:21:55,081 --> 00:21:56,683 We're on the same limb. 556 00:21:56,749 --> 00:21:59,386 The Journal's chasing this, your staff is leaking it. 557 00:21:59,452 --> 00:22:01,153 They were until I confirmed it. 558 00:22:01,220 --> 00:22:02,188 You confirmed it? 559 00:22:02,254 --> 00:22:04,290 I told them that you came to me 560 00:22:04,357 --> 00:22:06,626 and urged me to cut Social Security. 561 00:22:06,693 --> 00:22:10,897 If they print this, it'll torpedo any chance of a deal. 562 00:22:10,963 --> 00:22:16,035 Well, now you've got that limb all to yourself, hmm? 563 00:22:24,877 --> 00:22:27,046 A little tough love's what those people need. 564 00:22:27,113 --> 00:22:29,516 If that doesn't work, I'm moving on to Molotov cocktails. 565 00:22:29,582 --> 00:22:31,851 What's that? Gordon's wire story. 566 00:22:31,918 --> 00:22:33,853 "C.J. Cregg Touts Her Right To Adopt"? 567 00:22:33,920 --> 00:22:35,822 I thought you handled it beautifully. 568 00:22:35,888 --> 00:22:37,156 Where's Gordon? 569 00:22:37,223 --> 00:22:38,658 Right outside the door. 570 00:22:38,725 --> 00:22:41,227 Thank you. 571 00:22:41,293 --> 00:22:42,028 Let's talk about your story. 572 00:22:42,094 --> 00:22:43,162 Sure. 573 00:22:43,229 --> 00:22:44,797 Since you've stumbled onto... 574 00:22:44,864 --> 00:22:47,066 Uh, we can do this on the record, if you'd like. 575 00:22:47,133 --> 00:22:48,134 Oh. 576 00:22:48,200 --> 00:22:50,169 At a certain point-- 577 00:22:50,236 --> 00:22:52,271 I don't know when, exactly-- 578 00:22:52,338 --> 00:22:54,874 the Press Secretary job just wasn't fulfilling. 579 00:22:54,941 --> 00:22:56,075 Maybe it was... 580 00:22:56,142 --> 00:22:58,511 and then there was that spiritual vacuum. 581 00:22:58,578 --> 00:23:00,312 Do you ever feel that in your job? 582 00:23:00,379 --> 00:23:02,482 Uh... First I thought it was Western materialism, 583 00:23:02,549 --> 00:23:04,417 then the mantra stopped working, 584 00:23:04,484 --> 00:23:05,985 and are you getting this down? 585 00:23:06,052 --> 00:23:08,020 Oh. Anyway... 586 00:23:08,087 --> 00:23:09,221 I already got the crib. 587 00:23:09,288 --> 00:23:11,257 I painted one room pink and another one blue, 588 00:23:11,323 --> 00:23:12,525 'cause I wanted to live with both, 589 00:23:12,592 --> 00:23:13,660 they're such different sensibilities. 590 00:23:13,726 --> 00:23:15,127 Now, about these new adoption laws... 591 00:23:15,194 --> 00:23:16,596 That's the thing, I don't want to adopt. 592 00:23:16,663 --> 00:23:19,231 I'm looking for a donor. 593 00:23:19,298 --> 00:23:20,667 A donor...? 594 00:23:20,733 --> 00:23:21,901 Uh... 595 00:23:23,269 --> 00:23:24,671 Close the door. 596 00:23:26,606 --> 00:23:28,675 Whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa. Wait, you're not... 597 00:23:28,741 --> 00:23:30,677 Are you out of your pencil-ridden brain? 598 00:23:30,743 --> 00:23:33,045 This is the United States government. 599 00:23:33,112 --> 00:23:34,881 We've got a $2 trillion budget. 600 00:23:34,947 --> 00:23:38,350 We're the largest creditor, the largest subcontractor, 601 00:23:38,417 --> 00:23:41,353 lifeblood of the global economy, with a nuclear arsenal 602 00:23:41,420 --> 00:23:42,922 that could blow this planet into 15 billion pieces. 603 00:23:42,989 --> 00:23:44,957 I shouldn't have to tie you to a chair 604 00:23:45,024 --> 00:23:47,393 and shove a spoon into your mouth to get you to write about it! 605 00:23:47,460 --> 00:23:48,895 So, you don't have a crib? 606 00:23:48,961 --> 00:23:49,996 Get out! 607 00:23:52,832 --> 00:23:55,067 ( footsteps approaching ) 608 00:23:56,569 --> 00:23:58,571 You're a hard man to reach today. 609 00:24:04,443 --> 00:24:06,445 This is off the record. 610 00:24:06,513 --> 00:24:09,015 Sure. 611 00:24:09,081 --> 00:24:10,917 Don't write your story. 612 00:24:10,983 --> 00:24:12,585 I almost forgot you were my editor. 613 00:24:12,652 --> 00:24:14,587 I'll give you an exclusive when this is over. 614 00:24:14,654 --> 00:24:16,556 I'll give you ten, something big. 615 00:24:16,623 --> 00:24:18,357 Bigger than a fifth of the federal budget, 616 00:24:18,424 --> 00:24:20,026 bigger than 51 million monthly checks? 617 00:24:20,092 --> 00:24:21,528 Just so you know, you're going to ruin me with the party. 618 00:24:21,594 --> 00:24:23,563 You'll ruin us on 15 different issues. 619 00:24:23,630 --> 00:24:24,531 Gaines is vulnerable, 620 00:24:24,597 --> 00:24:25,832 so Josh is threatening him 621 00:24:25,898 --> 00:24:27,700 with political attacks to force a deal. 622 00:24:27,767 --> 00:24:28,868 Good cop/bad cop, am I right? 623 00:24:28,935 --> 00:24:30,136 You're wrong. 624 00:24:30,202 --> 00:24:32,404 And the arrogance you have in assuming that... 625 00:24:32,471 --> 00:24:33,906 How about the arrogance 626 00:24:33,973 --> 00:24:36,075 of trying to reform a $400 billion program 627 00:24:36,142 --> 00:24:38,545 by manhandling Senators behind closed doors, 628 00:24:38,611 --> 00:24:39,846 with no public debate, 629 00:24:39,912 --> 00:24:42,214 without organized labor, without the AARP, 630 00:24:42,281 --> 00:24:44,383 without the taxpaying public having any clue 631 00:24:44,450 --> 00:24:47,654 that they might have to work longer for less retirement money? 632 00:24:47,720 --> 00:24:49,121 You also met with Brainerd. 633 00:24:49,188 --> 00:24:51,490 And I'm through talking off the record. 634 00:24:51,558 --> 00:24:53,826 When are you filing? 635 00:24:53,893 --> 00:24:56,128 Tonight. 636 00:24:56,195 --> 00:24:58,230 Sunshine is the best disinfectant, Toby. 637 00:25:00,466 --> 00:25:02,101 For germs, maybe. 638 00:25:02,168 --> 00:25:04,270 Not the plague. 639 00:25:04,336 --> 00:25:07,239 NEWSCASTER: ...half the Superfund money goes to the lawyers, anyway. 640 00:25:07,306 --> 00:25:09,141 It's a super slush fund for the trial attorneys. 641 00:25:09,208 --> 00:25:10,810 That's right, they're giving it all right back 642 00:25:10,877 --> 00:25:12,111 to the Democrat Party. 643 00:25:13,546 --> 00:25:16,816 I told you the 310K wasn't relevant. 644 00:25:16,883 --> 00:25:18,050 I'm making it relevant. 645 00:25:18,117 --> 00:25:19,552 ( shuts door ) 646 00:25:19,619 --> 00:25:21,120 I don't want it relevant. 647 00:25:21,187 --> 00:25:23,756 Are you dealing on Social Security? 648 00:25:25,758 --> 00:25:28,194 The Journal says you are. I went on record denying it. 649 00:25:28,260 --> 00:25:30,096 Stop the stunts. I've gotten calls 650 00:25:30,162 --> 00:25:32,331 from half a dozen Democratic Senators thrilled to see 651 00:25:32,398 --> 00:25:34,233 some signs of political life in this building. 652 00:25:34,300 --> 00:25:36,002 They're planning to run on Social Security. 653 00:25:36,068 --> 00:25:37,403 They don't want it dealt away. 654 00:25:37,469 --> 00:25:38,370 What I'm doing doesn't concern 655 00:25:38,437 --> 00:25:39,438 the political department. 656 00:25:39,505 --> 00:25:40,506 Meaning, it's bad politics. 657 00:25:40,573 --> 00:25:41,708 Meaning, knock it off. 658 00:25:41,774 --> 00:25:42,942 You know, the electorate's 659 00:25:43,009 --> 00:25:45,878 ten percent older in the off-years 660 00:25:45,945 --> 00:25:47,714 and more culturally conservative? 661 00:25:47,780 --> 00:25:50,249 The only two advantages we have in the midterms 662 00:25:50,316 --> 00:25:52,084 are Social Security 663 00:25:52,151 --> 00:25:53,620 and Medicare. We take them off the table, 664 00:25:53,686 --> 00:25:54,453 we got nothing! 665 00:25:54,520 --> 00:25:55,387 There is no table. 666 00:25:55,454 --> 00:25:56,388 Then why do you care 667 00:25:56,455 --> 00:25:57,624 what I do to Gaines? 668 00:25:57,690 --> 00:25:59,291 Uh, Mr. Ziegler, there's someone... 669 00:25:59,358 --> 00:26:01,994 Uh, you're needed in your office right away. 670 00:26:12,204 --> 00:26:13,840 Guess what? Tweedle-dumb and Tweedle-dumber 671 00:26:13,906 --> 00:26:14,707 in the policy shop won't even... 672 00:26:14,774 --> 00:26:15,441 Forget about that. 673 00:26:15,507 --> 00:26:17,043 Forget about it? 674 00:26:17,109 --> 00:26:20,179 I need you to talk to Toby's researcher about her clothes. 675 00:26:20,246 --> 00:26:22,281 I thought you didn't want to play fashion cop. 676 00:26:22,348 --> 00:26:23,382 Go down there. 677 00:26:23,449 --> 00:26:24,684 Talk about pant-suits, 678 00:26:24,751 --> 00:26:26,786 find out what Toby's working on. 679 00:26:28,621 --> 00:26:31,590 You're asking me to spy on Toby? 680 00:26:34,560 --> 00:26:36,095 I don't feel comfortable with that. 681 00:26:36,162 --> 00:26:38,197 I didn't ask if you felt comfortable. 682 00:26:38,264 --> 00:26:40,733 Toby's negotiating away our office furniture. We need to know. 683 00:26:40,800 --> 00:26:42,201 I'm supposed to have... 684 00:26:42,268 --> 00:26:45,171 Makeup tips. Just... 685 00:26:45,237 --> 00:26:46,773 See what's on her desk. 686 00:26:49,075 --> 00:26:51,310 TOBY: This isn't a setup. 687 00:26:51,377 --> 00:26:55,882 You're you're surprised the Wall Street Journal is exploiting it? 688 00:26:55,948 --> 00:26:58,450 I'm surprised that Gaines is out, when you said he's in. 689 00:26:58,517 --> 00:26:59,518 I can get Gaines back onboard. 690 00:26:59,585 --> 00:27:00,987 He said he's out. 691 00:27:01,053 --> 00:27:02,655 The Journal knows you and I met on this. 692 00:27:02,722 --> 00:27:04,657 I can piece this back together. 693 00:27:04,724 --> 00:27:06,525 I need you to make some commitments. 694 00:27:06,592 --> 00:27:07,727 Commitments? 695 00:27:07,794 --> 00:27:09,228 Gaines said he'd scale back 696 00:27:09,295 --> 00:27:10,629 on private accounts. 697 00:27:10,697 --> 00:27:12,331 What can you give him? Nothing. 698 00:27:12,398 --> 00:27:15,601 If it's in the papers, I was even talking about 699 00:27:15,668 --> 00:27:17,136 raising retirement age, 700 00:27:17,203 --> 00:27:20,139 I'd have the walker brigade picketing my house. 701 00:27:20,206 --> 00:27:21,674 Slowly. 702 00:27:21,741 --> 00:27:24,944 This could be our one chance to help them, 703 00:27:25,011 --> 00:27:27,413 and you're going to give it up? 704 00:27:29,749 --> 00:27:31,617 When do we ever get a deal on this? 705 00:27:31,684 --> 00:27:34,787 When we win back Congress and do it on Democratic terms. 706 00:27:34,854 --> 00:27:36,522 We've been saying that for 20 years. 707 00:27:36,588 --> 00:27:38,557 I'm out. 708 00:27:38,624 --> 00:27:40,126 You can keep the hemlock. 709 00:27:59,478 --> 00:28:00,913 We haven't met. 710 00:28:00,980 --> 00:28:03,449 Donna Moss. I work for Josh. 711 00:28:03,515 --> 00:28:05,151 Rena. 712 00:28:05,217 --> 00:28:07,319 I've, uh... I've seen you on C-SPAN. 713 00:28:07,386 --> 00:28:09,521 Really? Well, sometimes they catch us 714 00:28:09,588 --> 00:28:11,223 in the back of the briefings. 715 00:28:11,290 --> 00:28:13,926 My mom calls me when she thinks I look tired. 716 00:28:13,993 --> 00:28:15,762 Oh, God, everyone around here looks tired. 717 00:28:15,828 --> 00:28:18,197 We need to talk clothes and makeup. 718 00:28:18,264 --> 00:28:20,432 Oh, um... sure. 719 00:28:20,499 --> 00:28:22,268 If you ever want me to teach you 720 00:28:22,334 --> 00:28:24,737 how to put on makeup, I'd be happy to. 721 00:28:24,804 --> 00:28:27,006 Thanks. 722 00:28:27,073 --> 00:28:29,241 Mm-hmm. 723 00:28:29,308 --> 00:28:32,979 It's, um... great you get to use Will's old office. 724 00:28:35,614 --> 00:28:37,449 What're you working on? 725 00:28:39,852 --> 00:28:41,620 Toby works on so many different things, 726 00:28:41,687 --> 00:28:44,023 it must be hard to keep track. 727 00:28:44,090 --> 00:28:46,625 He always wants to keep Josh in the loop. 728 00:28:46,692 --> 00:28:47,927 They're so busy. 729 00:28:47,994 --> 00:28:50,830 That's where we come in, as coordinators. 730 00:28:50,897 --> 00:28:53,132 Collegial coordinators, you might say. 731 00:28:53,199 --> 00:28:54,901 ( sighing ): You know what? 732 00:28:54,967 --> 00:28:56,803 It's none of my busine... 733 00:28:56,869 --> 00:28:59,872 Don't ever tell anyone what you're working on. 734 00:28:59,939 --> 00:29:02,241 Just keep doing what you're doing. 735 00:29:02,308 --> 00:29:04,877 I was tired of everyone dressing the same, anyway. 736 00:29:07,246 --> 00:29:09,816 I hear the policy people are giving Donna a hard time. 737 00:29:09,882 --> 00:29:11,683 Uh, a little bit, yeah. 738 00:29:11,750 --> 00:29:15,387 Don't be too rough. We just bled 'em dry for the State of the Union. 739 00:29:15,454 --> 00:29:18,290 Leo, if something's happening to my job, tell me now. 740 00:29:18,357 --> 00:29:20,459 Don't leave me hanging out there again. 741 00:29:20,526 --> 00:29:22,361 Hanging out where? 742 00:29:22,428 --> 00:29:24,763 I know Toby's working on something important. 743 00:29:24,831 --> 00:29:26,032 I hear Social Security. 744 00:29:26,098 --> 00:29:28,600 If it affects my accordion-like portfolio... 745 00:29:28,667 --> 00:29:30,136 Your accordion's fine. 746 00:29:30,202 --> 00:29:32,538 And obviously, some things are going to be close-hold. 747 00:29:32,604 --> 00:29:34,040 I just... 748 00:29:34,106 --> 00:29:36,175 I want to do the politics. 749 00:29:36,242 --> 00:29:38,610 You are. 750 00:29:38,677 --> 00:29:39,578 Okay. 751 00:29:39,645 --> 00:29:40,847 Thanks. 752 00:29:40,913 --> 00:29:42,448 RENA: What are you looking for? 753 00:29:42,514 --> 00:29:48,654 A Senator who's mute and only represents people under 30. 754 00:29:48,720 --> 00:29:50,089 Well, what about, uh, Jim Carney? 755 00:29:50,156 --> 00:29:51,590 From the research, it seems like 756 00:29:51,657 --> 00:29:53,259 he's really committed to this. 757 00:29:53,325 --> 00:29:55,995 Jim Carney was one of the gutsiest guys in the House, 758 00:29:56,062 --> 00:29:59,665 loved on both sides of the aisle. 759 00:29:59,731 --> 00:30:01,467 So? 760 00:30:01,533 --> 00:30:04,770 He used to be a Republican House member. 761 00:30:04,837 --> 00:30:06,805 He's not there anymore. 762 00:30:06,873 --> 00:30:10,009 What happened to him? 763 00:30:10,076 --> 00:30:13,946 Josh and I wrote a TV ad that destroyed his career. 764 00:30:15,247 --> 00:30:16,648 We figured 765 00:30:16,715 --> 00:30:19,718 if we won his seat, maybe a half-dozen others, 766 00:30:19,785 --> 00:30:22,054 got more Democrats in Congress, 767 00:30:22,121 --> 00:30:25,024 we'd be able to get something done around here. 768 00:30:26,558 --> 00:30:27,894 ( tapping on door ) 769 00:30:29,761 --> 00:30:31,263 What's going on, Toby? 770 00:30:31,330 --> 00:30:34,266 Josh is spinning out conspiracy theories. 771 00:30:34,333 --> 00:30:35,868 I've got the Journal calling me every ten minutes. 772 00:30:35,935 --> 00:30:36,936 ( phone rings ) 773 00:30:37,003 --> 00:30:38,237 RENA: Toby Ziegler's line. 774 00:30:38,304 --> 00:30:40,239 I'm working on that ethanol thing. 775 00:30:40,306 --> 00:30:41,840 Ethanol. 776 00:30:41,908 --> 00:30:43,209 RENA: Excuse me. 777 00:30:43,275 --> 00:30:44,911 The President wants you in the residence. 778 00:30:44,977 --> 00:30:46,678 Thanks. ! Uh, no, sir. 779 00:30:46,745 --> 00:30:48,514 The President wants Mr. Ziegler in the residence. 780 00:30:53,019 --> 00:30:55,221 It's just, uh... 781 00:30:57,223 --> 00:30:59,058 I'll find you afterwards. 782 00:31:04,130 --> 00:31:06,098 PRESIDENT: If they'd only let me wear 783 00:31:06,165 --> 00:31:08,134 leggings for my portrait, we'd be in business. 784 00:31:08,200 --> 00:31:09,768 Until it shows up on the Internet. 785 00:31:09,835 --> 00:31:11,470 There you go, turning your back 786 00:31:11,537 --> 00:31:12,671 on a whole new constituency. 787 00:31:12,738 --> 00:31:13,772 ( tapping at door ) 788 00:31:13,839 --> 00:31:16,575 Give us a minute, Charlie. 789 00:31:20,079 --> 00:31:22,915 ( half-whispers ): Nice bags under the eyes there, Kojak. 790 00:31:22,982 --> 00:31:24,883 I didn't know Charlie would be here. 791 00:31:24,951 --> 00:31:26,652 I've got five Democratic Senators 792 00:31:26,718 --> 00:31:28,054 on my call sheet. 793 00:31:28,120 --> 00:31:29,956 Leo's clamoring to know what this is all about. 794 00:31:30,022 --> 00:31:31,490 What the hell have you gotten us into? 795 00:31:33,659 --> 00:31:35,561 I lost Gaines, I lost Brainerd, 796 00:31:35,627 --> 00:31:36,795 and the Wall Street Journal's running it tomorrow. 797 00:31:36,862 --> 00:31:38,130 Running what? 798 00:31:38,197 --> 00:31:40,366 That we grabbed the third rail with both hands? 799 00:31:40,432 --> 00:31:42,734 That we talked about raising the retirement age, 800 00:31:42,801 --> 00:31:43,835 maybe privatization... 801 00:31:43,902 --> 00:31:46,005 Damn it, Toby! 802 00:31:49,976 --> 00:31:51,743 Gaines expressed some interest. 803 00:31:51,810 --> 00:31:54,480 So, you ran with it when I told you not to even walk. 804 00:31:56,248 --> 00:31:57,950 What if you talk to Gaines, 805 00:31:58,017 --> 00:32:00,252 let him know you're personally behind this? 806 00:32:00,319 --> 00:32:01,453 Behind a deal that doesn't exist? 807 00:32:03,422 --> 00:32:07,093 What if you told him you'll move on the retirement age? 808 00:32:07,159 --> 00:32:08,594 Maybe I should just call the Journal. 809 00:32:08,660 --> 00:32:10,429 They can run it right next to my legislative obituary. 810 00:32:10,496 --> 00:32:11,763 I can't contain this by myself! 811 00:32:11,830 --> 00:32:12,931 You're going to contain it now. 812 00:32:12,999 --> 00:32:14,033 There's no way, Mr. President. 813 00:32:14,100 --> 00:32:15,234 Then find a way. How?! 814 00:32:15,301 --> 00:32:16,668 By telling the whole party 815 00:32:16,735 --> 00:32:18,870 so they can lay down on the tracks to stop it? 816 00:32:18,937 --> 00:32:21,007 By telling nine committee chairs-- 817 00:32:21,073 --> 00:32:23,342 probably a whole dining room set-- 818 00:32:23,409 --> 00:32:26,112 that we circumvented their authority? 819 00:32:26,178 --> 00:32:27,813 The Journal's still going to file it, 820 00:32:27,879 --> 00:32:29,048 and we still don't have a deal. 821 00:32:29,115 --> 00:32:30,449 Then find a deal. I tried! 822 00:32:30,516 --> 00:32:32,451 I want this back in the cardboard box it came in. 823 00:32:32,518 --> 00:32:33,752 I don't want to see you or talk to you 824 00:32:33,819 --> 00:32:34,953 till that's done. 825 00:32:35,021 --> 00:32:36,488 "No way" is not an acceptable answer. 826 00:32:36,555 --> 00:32:38,524 "I tried" is no longer an option. 827 00:32:38,590 --> 00:32:39,725 You started this thing, 828 00:32:39,791 --> 00:32:42,161 and you're going to damn well finish it, 829 00:32:42,228 --> 00:32:44,463 with either a blue ribbon or a great big 830 00:32:44,530 --> 00:32:46,165 deafening silence. 831 00:32:48,634 --> 00:32:50,069 Yes, sir. 832 00:32:51,737 --> 00:32:53,439 Thank you, Mr. President. 833 00:33:13,125 --> 00:33:15,661 Hi. Hi. 834 00:33:20,132 --> 00:33:22,101 ( laughing ) 835 00:33:22,168 --> 00:33:23,669 What's that? 836 00:33:23,735 --> 00:33:24,970 Oh, it's just... 837 00:33:25,037 --> 00:33:26,605 some guy at the Argentine Embassy 838 00:33:26,672 --> 00:33:28,840 who apparently wants to make me a salad. 839 00:33:28,907 --> 00:33:30,742 Huh. 840 00:33:33,145 --> 00:33:35,147 Sorry about the baby story. 841 00:33:35,214 --> 00:33:36,848 Yeah, it's... it's okay. 842 00:33:36,915 --> 00:33:39,385 Here we are, senior advisers to the President, 843 00:33:39,451 --> 00:33:41,820 commissioned officers of the federal government. 844 00:33:41,887 --> 00:33:44,123 Life's not perfect, but why does anyone think 845 00:33:44,190 --> 00:33:45,857 we don't live in a world we construct? 846 00:33:45,924 --> 00:33:47,559 Hmm. 847 00:33:47,626 --> 00:33:49,027 Yeah. 848 00:33:49,095 --> 00:33:50,362 Any luck with Polk? 849 00:33:50,429 --> 00:33:52,964 No. 850 00:33:53,031 --> 00:33:54,233 Okay. 851 00:33:54,300 --> 00:33:56,302 I may have an announcement for you... 852 00:33:56,368 --> 00:33:58,003 one that'll knock Polk out of the water. 853 00:33:58,070 --> 00:33:59,371 Saying what? 854 00:33:59,438 --> 00:34:01,507 Let me get the wording straight. 855 00:34:19,458 --> 00:34:20,892 It says here 856 00:34:20,959 --> 00:34:22,528 that before Social Security, 857 00:34:22,594 --> 00:34:25,164 half of all seniors died in poverty, 858 00:34:25,231 --> 00:34:26,665 and now, almost none do. 859 00:34:26,732 --> 00:34:28,200 Yeah. 860 00:34:28,267 --> 00:34:30,169 Must've been a pretty great day when they passed it. 861 00:34:30,236 --> 00:34:31,637 During the floor debate, 862 00:34:31,703 --> 00:34:34,640 one Republican called it "the lash of the dictator." 863 00:34:34,706 --> 00:34:37,109 Another said it would "enslave workers." 864 00:34:37,176 --> 00:34:38,810 Social Security? 865 00:34:38,877 --> 00:34:42,881 And some on the far left dismissed it 866 00:34:42,948 --> 00:34:45,684 as a half-measure, a cop-out, 867 00:34:45,751 --> 00:34:49,888 a way to plug holes in a dying capitalist system. 868 00:34:49,955 --> 00:34:54,826 Is it-- um... c-can I ask? 869 00:34:54,893 --> 00:34:56,228 What did the President...? 870 00:34:56,295 --> 00:34:58,297 He wanted me to put this back in the box. 871 00:34:58,364 --> 00:34:59,365 ( sighs ) 872 00:34:59,431 --> 00:35:00,566 How do you do that? 873 00:35:02,534 --> 00:35:04,503 By taking the blame for everything that happened. 874 00:35:12,978 --> 00:35:15,247 ( printer whirring ) 875 00:35:15,314 --> 00:35:17,249 You're up to something. 876 00:35:17,316 --> 00:35:19,050 You lied to me about it. 877 00:35:19,117 --> 00:35:21,553 The President won't say what it is, but you work for me. 878 00:35:21,620 --> 00:35:23,889 I do. Tell me what you're up to. 879 00:35:23,955 --> 00:35:26,292 Tell me why half the caucus thinks we're squeezing Gaines, 880 00:35:26,358 --> 00:35:28,327 or we have serious problems. 881 00:35:36,802 --> 00:35:38,604 No problems. 882 00:35:44,743 --> 00:35:47,313 LEO: There's a reason we have a chain of command. 883 00:35:47,379 --> 00:35:49,681 So people don't take flyers, 884 00:35:49,748 --> 00:35:51,683 and I don't hand you their resignations. 885 00:35:51,750 --> 00:35:54,253 I wanted to believe he could do it. 886 00:35:54,320 --> 00:35:56,955 I wanted to believe as much as he did. 887 00:35:57,022 --> 00:35:58,824 This isn't Never- Never Land, sir. 888 00:35:58,890 --> 00:36:00,326 Believing is not enough. 889 00:36:00,392 --> 00:36:01,960 You would've stopped it. 890 00:36:02,027 --> 00:36:03,229 Because it's my job. 891 00:36:03,295 --> 00:36:04,663 It's my life, Leo. 892 00:36:04,730 --> 00:36:06,798 I'm the one who's accountable-- 893 00:36:06,865 --> 00:36:08,267 not in the morning papers, 894 00:36:08,334 --> 00:36:10,068 not in the Democratic Cloakroom-- 895 00:36:10,135 --> 00:36:11,637 but in 50, a hundred years, 896 00:36:11,703 --> 00:36:14,573 when Tuesday's poll samples have crumbled into dust. 897 00:36:14,640 --> 00:36:16,542 You can't will yourself a legacy. 898 00:36:16,608 --> 00:36:18,344 You think there's a room at the Smithsonian 899 00:36:18,410 --> 00:36:20,312 for guys who never even tried? 900 00:36:24,716 --> 00:36:28,420 You have to accept Toby's letter. 901 00:36:46,372 --> 00:36:49,475 Five years; I never thought we'd have secrets. 902 00:36:49,541 --> 00:36:52,043 "Let thy discontents be thy secrets." 903 00:36:52,110 --> 00:36:53,445 Only if you want 'em 904 00:36:53,512 --> 00:36:55,647 to stay discontents. 905 00:37:00,386 --> 00:37:04,323 C.J. showed me your resignation. 906 00:37:04,390 --> 00:37:06,492 Why didn't you tell me? 907 00:37:06,558 --> 00:37:08,360 You don't trust me? 908 00:37:08,427 --> 00:37:10,729 I didn't tell you 'cause you would have body-blocked me. 909 00:37:10,796 --> 00:37:11,763 'Cause it was 910 00:37:11,830 --> 00:37:13,499 a stupid thing to do, and you knew it. 911 00:37:13,565 --> 00:37:15,467 Don't you want to try to take back Congress 912 00:37:15,534 --> 00:37:18,069 so we can legislate on a hundred of our issues? 913 00:37:18,136 --> 00:37:20,472 Spoken like a true reformer. 914 00:37:20,539 --> 00:37:22,441 I'd like to swim the English Channel, too. 915 00:37:22,508 --> 00:37:24,109 Takes more than jumping off a pier. 916 00:37:24,175 --> 00:37:26,578 So, we exploit the hard stuff till it can't be solved? 917 00:37:26,645 --> 00:37:28,280 That's what we want to be remembered for? 918 00:37:28,347 --> 00:37:30,282 We do what's possible. 919 00:37:30,349 --> 00:37:31,650 We exploit what's not. 920 00:37:31,717 --> 00:37:33,419 That's how we win elections. 921 00:37:33,485 --> 00:37:36,021 Well, I came up on losing campaigns. 922 00:37:36,087 --> 00:37:37,389 And every time I lost, 923 00:37:37,456 --> 00:37:39,958 at least I knew what I went down for. 924 00:37:40,025 --> 00:37:40,959 Carney knew. 925 00:37:41,026 --> 00:37:42,160 What do the losers 926 00:37:42,227 --> 00:37:43,061 get to do about Social Security, 927 00:37:43,128 --> 00:37:44,863 except receive it? 928 00:37:44,930 --> 00:37:46,998 The losers can kick up enough dirt to keep the debate going. 929 00:37:47,065 --> 00:37:48,834 Maybe my letter will do that. 930 00:37:48,900 --> 00:37:49,901 Make you a martyr. 931 00:37:49,968 --> 00:37:51,637 Make someone else pick up the ball. 932 00:37:51,703 --> 00:37:55,674 Inch by inch, we're moving the line of compromise. 933 00:37:55,741 --> 00:37:57,242 This isn't Sunday school. 934 00:37:57,309 --> 00:37:58,910 It's the world capital of politics. 935 00:37:58,977 --> 00:38:00,712 I could've told you 936 00:38:00,779 --> 00:38:02,581 Gaines wasn't going to move. 937 00:38:02,648 --> 00:38:03,882 He did. 938 00:38:03,949 --> 00:38:06,017 He said he'd move on private accounts. 939 00:38:06,084 --> 00:38:07,252 You got the Chairman 940 00:38:07,319 --> 00:38:08,554 of the Social Security Subcommittee 941 00:38:08,620 --> 00:38:10,221 to move on private accounts? 942 00:38:10,288 --> 00:38:11,957 That's like... inhaling a baby grand. 943 00:38:12,023 --> 00:38:14,125 ( chuckles ) 944 00:38:14,192 --> 00:38:16,428 Yeah. 945 00:38:16,495 --> 00:38:18,830 Well, he's out now. 946 00:38:18,897 --> 00:38:20,799 Turner. 947 00:38:22,368 --> 00:38:23,635 What? 948 00:38:25,537 --> 00:38:26,972 Roy Turner. 949 00:38:28,407 --> 00:38:29,608 GAINES: So you're saying 950 00:38:29,675 --> 00:38:31,309 that you'll ask the Democrats 951 00:38:31,377 --> 00:38:33,379 to trim benefits over the next 20 years, 952 00:38:33,445 --> 00:38:35,714 raise the retirement age over the next 60 years, 953 00:38:35,781 --> 00:38:37,483 and give up on this issue forever? 954 00:38:37,549 --> 00:38:39,418 If I can tell them that you'll settle 955 00:38:39,485 --> 00:38:41,219 for small, optional, private accounts 956 00:38:41,286 --> 00:38:42,721 on top of Social Security 957 00:38:42,788 --> 00:38:45,256 and raise the income limit on Social Security taxes. 958 00:38:45,323 --> 00:38:46,625 We protect FDR's legacy 959 00:38:46,692 --> 00:38:49,194 and admit changes have to be made to save it. 960 00:38:49,260 --> 00:38:50,629 And what about political cover? 961 00:38:50,696 --> 00:38:52,097 We call off the stunts. 962 00:38:52,163 --> 00:38:53,599 The DNC won't use this deal 963 00:38:53,665 --> 00:38:55,567 against any Republican who votes for it. 964 00:38:57,168 --> 00:38:58,269 What are the chances this passes 965 00:38:58,336 --> 00:38:59,838 the House? A lot of Republicans 966 00:38:59,905 --> 00:39:03,041 would like to end the demagoguery on this issue. 967 00:39:03,108 --> 00:39:06,812 They'll be grateful that you approached me with a deal. 968 00:39:06,878 --> 00:39:09,681 Actually, to sell this to Democrats, 969 00:39:09,748 --> 00:39:11,850 I have to say you approached me first. 970 00:39:11,917 --> 00:39:14,386 GAINES: No, that's a deal-breaker for me. 971 00:39:14,453 --> 00:39:16,121 If it looks like a Democratic setup... 972 00:39:16,187 --> 00:39:19,057 I can't look like a fig leaf for some risky scheme 973 00:39:19,124 --> 00:39:20,559 to shred Social Security. 974 00:39:20,626 --> 00:39:22,961 We're saving it, not shredding it. 975 00:39:23,028 --> 00:39:26,898 So you can drive a wedge into private accounts? 976 00:39:26,965 --> 00:39:28,700 GAINES: So you'd like to see it go into bankruptcy? 977 00:39:28,767 --> 00:39:30,201 LEO: Closest we've been to a deal 978 00:39:30,268 --> 00:39:32,704 in 20 years, and it breaks down 979 00:39:32,771 --> 00:39:34,272 over who he approached first? 980 00:39:34,339 --> 00:39:35,607 Well, if he approached the Republicans 981 00:39:35,674 --> 00:39:36,708 he's a right-wing sellout. 982 00:39:36,775 --> 00:39:37,876 If he approached the Democrats, 983 00:39:37,943 --> 00:39:39,745 he's a fire- breathing partisan. 984 00:39:39,811 --> 00:39:42,080 Hard enough caving on principle without looking like 985 00:39:42,147 --> 00:39:43,749 you're caving on principle. 986 00:39:43,815 --> 00:39:45,917 And we have a little problem called the Wall Street Journal. 987 00:39:45,984 --> 00:39:48,053 Mm. 988 00:39:49,955 --> 00:39:51,389 We don't take credit. 989 00:39:51,457 --> 00:39:53,492 What? 990 00:39:53,559 --> 00:39:55,661 We don't take credit at all. 991 00:39:55,727 --> 00:39:56,962 It's the only way. 992 00:39:57,028 --> 00:39:58,697 They approached each other. 993 00:39:58,764 --> 00:40:00,532 Bipartisan down the line. 994 00:40:00,599 --> 00:40:02,968 No one can say I'm setting anyone up. 995 00:40:03,034 --> 00:40:04,803 Mr. President, 996 00:40:04,870 --> 00:40:08,507 a victory like this comes along once in a generation. 997 00:40:08,574 --> 00:40:10,108 JOSH: We'll have practically saved the New Deal, 998 00:40:10,175 --> 00:40:11,843 and no one will even know we were in the room. 999 00:40:11,910 --> 00:40:12,878 We'll know. 1000 00:40:15,514 --> 00:40:17,516 And if we don't do this... 1001 00:40:17,583 --> 00:40:20,051 ( sighs ) 1002 00:40:20,118 --> 00:40:23,689 If this system collapses-- which is what'll happen-- 1003 00:40:23,755 --> 00:40:25,957 if we go back to bread lines, 1004 00:40:26,024 --> 00:40:29,327 if growing old in America means growing poor again, 1005 00:40:29,394 --> 00:40:30,796 we'll know that, too. 1006 00:40:32,698 --> 00:40:37,102 There is no such thing as an invisible legacy, sir. 1007 00:40:39,971 --> 00:40:42,674 You have to know you'd be giving it away. 1008 00:40:47,813 --> 00:40:51,617 All day we've been talking about my legacy, my portrait, 1009 00:40:51,683 --> 00:40:54,085 what's going to be carved on my tombstone. 1010 00:40:54,152 --> 00:40:56,555 Maybe we pay a little more attention 1011 00:40:56,622 --> 00:40:58,490 to what's being rendered, 1012 00:40:58,557 --> 00:41:00,959 and the rendering takes care of itself. 1013 00:41:04,963 --> 00:41:07,365 ...so it was time for both parties to come together, 1014 00:41:07,432 --> 00:41:09,935 to secure the long-term future of Social Security. 1015 00:41:10,001 --> 00:41:11,603 TURNER: For years, Social Security 1016 00:41:11,670 --> 00:41:13,639 has been the third rail of politics. 1017 00:41:13,705 --> 00:41:15,406 But we are willing to take the risk, 1018 00:41:15,473 --> 00:41:16,675 to set aside our divisions, 1019 00:41:16,742 --> 00:41:18,744 and we are hopeful that House leaders 1020 00:41:18,810 --> 00:41:20,712 and President Bartlet will also do so. 1021 00:41:20,779 --> 00:41:22,681 So much for the Wall Street Journal. 1022 00:41:22,748 --> 00:41:24,349 It's a political tsunami. 1023 00:41:24,415 --> 00:41:26,051 What did you tell Polk? 1024 00:41:26,117 --> 00:41:29,220 That they asked us to be a part of this, and we said no. 1025 00:41:29,287 --> 00:41:31,489 ...but still preserves the fundamental guarantees 1026 00:41:31,557 --> 00:41:33,525 that are at the heart of this system. Okay. 1027 00:41:33,592 --> 00:41:35,026 So... 1028 00:41:35,093 --> 00:41:37,428 what do we do when Republicans and Democrats 1029 00:41:37,495 --> 00:41:40,766 no longer have Social Security to thrash each other with? 1030 00:41:40,832 --> 00:41:43,434 ...while making crucial reforms to keep the program... 1031 00:41:43,501 --> 00:41:44,903 We move on to Medicare. 1032 00:41:44,970 --> 00:41:47,238 We can't let that happen to our seniors. 1033 00:41:47,305 --> 00:41:49,541 We can't let that happen to people with disabilities. 1034 00:41:49,608 --> 00:41:52,210 We can't let that happen to the social safety net 1035 00:41:52,277 --> 00:41:54,880 that we have labored as a society to stitch. 1036 00:41:54,946 --> 00:41:56,447 COMMENTATOR: Roy Turner... 1037 00:41:56,514 --> 00:41:58,884 Always the slow news days, huh? 1038 00:41:58,950 --> 00:42:00,719 ...one of the Senate's leading liberals, 1039 00:42:00,786 --> 00:42:02,020 and Steve Gaines, one of that body's 1040 00:42:02,087 --> 00:42:03,488 leading free-market conservatives, 1041 00:42:03,555 --> 00:42:05,624 slaying just about every sacred cow. 1042 00:42:05,691 --> 00:42:07,125 Really sticking their necks out 1043 00:42:07,192 --> 00:42:09,194 to fix America's retirement program. 1044 00:42:09,260 --> 00:42:12,097 Still no word on whether House and Senate leaders 1045 00:42:12,163 --> 00:42:14,232 might bring such a plan to the floor. 1046 00:42:14,299 --> 00:42:17,302 But this certainly puts pressure on the White House, 1047 00:42:17,368 --> 00:42:19,771 which has shown no eagerness to trade away 1048 00:42:19,838 --> 00:42:22,207 the Democrats' most potent political issue 1049 00:42:22,273 --> 00:42:23,909 for the next election cycle. 1050 00:42:23,975 --> 00:42:26,144 The heat's on President Bartlet now. 1051 00:42:26,211 --> 00:42:28,580 Will he come late to this reform party? 1052 00:42:28,647 --> 00:42:30,148 Judy?