Donna’s on the Phone, It’s Bad News | The West Wing

[@AmberLynBigelow]

Can we please get TV like this again? We desperately need it!

[@margaretarce31]

People would not watch it. It would be too difficult for today's culture. You had to think to watch this show.

[@NickC-Ohio]

I think madam Secretary was pretty solid 🤷 not as good but similarly entertaining and stimulating

[@Whisper555]

Its hard as it almost killed Sorkin to produce this quality

[@margaretarce31]

@@Whisper555 he had the perfect cast as well. That alignment of stars between cast and excellent writing seldom happens.

[@GillianAnnBlower]

Oh yes. Xxx

[@WifeWantsAWizard]

(1:38) "I suppose you can't blame Will completely." Two seconds later: "This is entirely your fault." I hate that Hollywood no longer trusts us to love such writing.

[@arturobarillas7277]

And this was when Aaron Sorking was on his diminished strength. Imagine putting a clip from Season 2 or 3.

[@WifeWantsAWizard]

@@arturobarillas7277 After "West Wing" he did "Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip". The writing there was phenomenal, but it happened again where the studio heads thought the show as "too smart". I believe that philosophy of "dumb=more eyeballs=ad revenue" is why TV is losing to streaming--though I can't prove that.

[@jwiles545]

There is some great writing on TV. Its just not on Network television anymore. For example, I loved the following line from a fairly recent Show. "In my experience, eloquent men are right as often as imbeciles".

[@WifeWantsAWizard]

@@jwiles545 The only three network shows that actually impressed me in the past decade were Three Musketeers (BBC), Turn (AMC), and Manhattan (WGN America). Everything I've seen on the primary American networks over the same time has treated the audience like small children.

[@tiadaid]

​@@WifeWantsAWizard Studio 60 had the misfortune of coming out at the same time as 30 Rock, and people (me included) like the zanier Tina Fey show better. Plus it is cheaper to produce. But at least we got The Newsroom out of the ashes, which is an infintely better show.

[@Heather-xz8fk]

Spectacular script. And acting. And directing. And camera work.

[@nelsonames4366]

Great series ! The very first episode set the tone and it only got better.

[@Chad_Cave]

Best show ever put on a television.

[@a0402330]

The first four seasons yes, but the rest, nah, not so much.

[@rabbit251]

@@a0402330 I thought the last 2 seasons were good and thought they handled the death of Leo beautifully. We all literally got to mourn his passing together. Liked the whole Santos also. Again, giving us look at what politics is like inside.

[@stuffyouotterlistento1461]

@@a0402330 I agree that the show wasn't nearly as good after season four, but it was still good. Good vs. incredible.

[@joemckim1183]

You don't need to go around hyping the show up on its own comment sections. People are already probably of the same view point as you but this probably happens in the comment sections of 10 different shows also. Its a great show and probably one of the greatest shows of all time but don't waste your time worrying if every single person puts it at #1 in their rankings also.

[@hephaestus6365]

I remember this line from when it first aired: "I suppose you can't blame Will completely." Will walks in: "This is entirely your fault." haha I love the writing on this show.

[@mariateran932]

Aaron Sorkin--I'll always appreciate his brilliance on The West Wing--it had everything.

[@alanbabbitt5924]

Just when I was finishing up another old show binge, I have to run into this clip and have a desire to watch the entire series again 😢. Oh joy of joys lol

[@sheilastew1]

It hasn't been streaming anywhere in the last few years, but it's back on Hulu now. :)

[@purpleness64]

Really??? 😮 ​@@sheilastew1

[@catchmyfist2047]

@@sheilastew1it’s always been on Max

[@keny1555]

Its amazing to me that they made a show about politics so interesting. I loved this show.

[@HKim0072]

Did you not see All the President's Men? Plenty of political films / shows are interesting.

[@zoeyrochellezhombie829]

It's not amazing when reality is shown. You have too little faith.

[@stevenbennett3805]

Best goddamn television program ever produced.

[@JoshuaHopkins-j9o]

One of the most effective pieces of political propaganda ever produced

[@lisagulick4144]

@@JoshuaHopkins-j9o Did you actually watch the program? Among other things, the characters often discussed _both sides_ of policy issues.

[@JoshuaHopkins-j9o]

@@lisagulick4144 ... Obviously... it was one of my favorite shows. Pretending that it isn't political propaganda is just silly though... just about everything is propaganda to some degree... and I respect the well crafted stuff like this. That said... this show is an Arthurian Mythos for liberal ideologues. There has never been a Democrat to hold political office who resembles anyone on this show... and if you think that some form of balanced discussion was presented on this show... then you obviously didn't watch it... or the other thing ;-)

[@lisagulick4144]

@@JoshuaHopkins-j9o Actually, I did watch it. All seven seasons, on DVD. I think we may have two different views on what constitutes "propaganda," though. But as for a balanced discussion...what I meant is that there are often times when the President in the show takes a more conservative view on things (legalizing marijuana, for example). Plus you do hear both sides of issues, even if the slant of the show is liberal. (Further example, there was an extended discussion in one episode about the pros and cons of school vouchers.) Now, if you want to talk about mythology, we can always talk about Jack Ryan, the supposed "Arthurian mythos" for Republicans. I guarantee that no Republican President has ever been the Boy Scout that Ryan was (at least up through _The Bear and the Dragon,_ after which I got bored and quit reading the series - Clancy jumped that dam' shark by making him President).

[@JoshuaHopkins-j9o]

@@lisagulick4144 ... Yeah... you don't have to "partisan" me with examples of the Republican equivalent... I don't vote cus DC politics is just Hollywood for ugly people... I get it goes both ways... but this is about WW Democrats actually see themselves in this show... which is complete absurdity on quite a few levels... ego, lack of self awareness, blind adherence to ideology while ignoring observable reality... take your pick. My assessment about it being an Arthurian Mythos was accurate... and that doesn't make it any less great Of course we have different understandings of what constitutes "propaganda"... I think everything is ;-)

[@8kod]

He was a minor character but I did like Danny Busfield's work as Danny.

[@tonychan8558]

I wouldn't classify it as a minor role. Danny (Timothy Busfield) was in it a lot, and he killed it! From a reporter to a love interest, he never lost focus. Brilliant casting.

[@theevilascotcompany9255]

Danny is like an OP character in a way, because of the nature of his work, when he showed up it was rarely good news for the main cast. If he showed up more often the West Wing regulars would begin to look like fools.

[@joemckim1183]

@@tonychan8558 He was a recurring role I think they mean to say, he wasn't on every single week.

[@marshatolbert154]

It's Timothy Busfield.

[@matrixphijr]

@@marshatolbert154 No it's Danny 😂

[@Vesperitis]

It is my mission in life to be in a team that starts getting to work before the boss needs to finish their instructions, because of how motivated and in tune they all are.

[@darylb5564]

Almost any group given the right leadership will perform this way…

[@lancer525]

@@darylb5564 Only when it's in the script that way...

[@lebojay]

There more to life than work.

[@alexpeartree2019]

The best way to achieve this is to be the boss, motivate your team, and trust them to do what's needed when it's needed. You'll be surprised how people rise to the occasion when they're allowed to.

[@ieeyore4989]

Uh-Huh………….. Awake yet?

[@reaperrott1]

You will never find minds and hearts like this in real-life politics.

[@peggymeredith7142]

The writing to the dialogue to the acting, oh how I miss thee!

[@laurabodycombe7998]

It’s amazing the number of famous actors that were on this show.

[@joemckim1183]

Same goes a for a lot of shows. The Wire had a lot of people who went onto doing other things, same with Oz, Friday Night Lights. The West Wing had an amazing cast but don't act like its the only show ever to have an amazing cast.

[@Zmargo702]

@@joemckim1183whos acting like that? its a simple observation lol.

[@cdjhyoung]

I suspect early in the first season every liberal A list actor was hounding their agent to get them a chance on West Wing. And since Gerald Rainey also contributed an excellent role as a military officer in conflict with Leo, a goodly number of very not liberal actors as well.

[@malalford]

Nothing beats ER for cameos

[@retroguy9494]

'Do I just keep standing here?' 😂😂🤣🤣

[@ScottRaively]

The world is eagerly awaiting President Sam Seaborn. Make it happen, Mr. Sorkin!

[@JustinSIsTank]

Since Elizabeth Moss took off like a rocket ship, I wanted President Zoey Bartlett-Young with Charlie as a kick-ass First Gentleman.

[@SparrowNoire]

@@JustinSIsTank Oh DUDE that would be SO sick. Sam Seaborn as Chief of Staff, just like his Mentor.

[@simonl2072]

And the first lady needs to be a Republic Ashley Hayes

[@joebrown8128]

Ainsley

[@simonl2072]

@@joebrown8128 yep. It's been a while since I watched it

[@ianboyle1026]

As I recall, they subsequently realize that Donna didn't give the quote, her boyfriend did and she was covering for him. Someone correct me if I'm wrong, it's been a few years. (Which means I need to binge the whole 7 seasons again asap.)

[@undinia]

You need to watch them all again I’m afraid. Just so you don’t feel victimised, I’ll watch them all again too, for moral support. Just do better next time or you’ll be watching them again after that.

[@ianboyle1026]

@@undinia LOL thanks. I'll try to lift my game and it's great to know someone's got my back.

[@DeneM]

you are 100% right but watch em anyway lol

[@SeaTurtle1122]

Nancy McNally was out of town and the president needed a force depletion report prepared without the secretary of defense inflating the numbers to high hell and leaking it to the press, so he got Jack Reese (Donna’s BF) to do it. Higher ups at the DOD found out and he got reassigned. He was pissed and gave the quote to a researcher on background, and Donna covered for him.

[@googoo-gjoob]

The *GREATEST* show in the _History_ of television.

[@JosephLSelby]

But you see, dear viewer, it was not Donna. It was her boyfriend, and she was covering for him.

[@zacharyerickson6302]

even worse

[@michaelhayden725]

It was only when Josh read the full quote, which included the words “says the same source “, Donna did not know about the budget predictions or expenditure reviews. Josh blows up and says he will kill her for taking the wrap. Donna replies that it would have meant the end of Jack’s career to which Josh replied “and your career does not matter”? Well given how little career growth he allowed he clearly her career did not matter “that much” to him.

[@twittertwice]

But, you see dear spoiler, no one needed you to tell thrm that!

[@cherylb6755]

@@twittertwice No worries. I've watched the entire series seven times, give or take. I remember a lot perfectly - and can quote the dialog verbatim... and I still enjoy TWW more than just about anything else I've ever seen.

[@blastermasterguy]

@@michaelhayden725 Josh wanted to keep Donna close to him because he had feelings for her...unfortunately that led to Josh stiffling Donna's career.

[@xaenon]

I loved how by the time Jed says, "If you're onboard with this...", his staff was already busy making it happen.

[@andremadethis]

This opening dialogue is really well delivered and like musical counterpoint. The whole opening shot with the spin right up to "what's his name?" so good.

[@izqomar]

The way Josh goes from defending Donna to judging her within a microsecond is pretty amazing

[@dalestreeter341]

The politics on The West Wing were undeniably liberal, but Sorkin usually managed to present both sides of the issue. Case in point: Ainsley Hayes on the 2nd Amendment and the ERA.

[@omegacon4]

And then Sorkin decided NOT to hire the actress who played Ainsley Hayes for fear that she would convert Democrats to the Republican Party....

[@russrogers3106]

@@omegacon4 unfortunately politics runs our lives and makes enemies out of people. As acting President Walken said... "You know I'm not the enemy." "The things that unite us are far greater than the things that divide us." We need to get back to remembering that.

[@annemarsh353]

Except when they ARE the enemy.

[@stephenhuntsucker3766]

I would take these Democrats over the ones we have in real life any day!

[@marc21wizard]

@@omegacon4 No, Emily Proctor got a gig on CSI and couldn't handle both full time, so she left TWW.

[@petergaskin1811]

This is what good television looks like. End of.

[@darkerthanblue9]

I miss this this show

[@MrMayhemVI]

The West Wing didn't change my mind about anything, as best I recall. But it definitely helped me in how I processed my beliefs. And as timing would have it, it happened as I was coming to a time in my life when I needed/wanted to articulate my convictions better than I had previously.

[@zoeyrochellezhombie829]

It wasn't supposed to change your mind, it just showed how the White House is supposed to work. An idea that got lost some years ago

[@kmcq692]

Everyone fully intended to let the show continue through an election cycle and into a new bunch of seasons taking place with an administration of the other party. I would’ve liked to see that.

[@trashcandy.]

@@zoeyrochellezhombie829 the west wing is my favorite show, but you can't claim that it wasn't supposed to change your mind. it's one of the preachiest shows ever created.

[@edwardyan751]

In a parallel universe, the US government, whether Left or Right, are motivated like these fine people. Dedicate to the job, righteous, and most importantly COMPENTENT!!!

[@nbenefiel]

Novel idea

[@davidweihe6052]

One of the points of The West Wing was that the people in government not elected still make stupid mistakes, though. Someone made an impolitic quote in the hearing of a fact-checker, or harassed a female staffer just because she was a Republican, or had an accident while test driving a truck, or mixed up phones with a hooker. Or ran for President while concealing M.S.

[@twittertwice]

That is no longer true, Republican MAGAS have gone off the rails beginning in 2016

[@VinBuenaagua]

Trump's Project 2025 will remove competence as a requisite for career civil servants and replace them with political appointees.

[@evangiles4403]

And you think they are not You evidently don't read widely do you It has been US policy once the world became mostly dependant on middle eastern oil that NO country would be allowed to hold the western world to ransom using the oil The only difference between the republicans and democrats is one prefers diplomacy and the other will simply use brute force

[@dionysiansourgrapes]

it is so hard finding this clip in the ep on hbo to rewatch, whoever is selecting content for this channel is amazing

[@kmcq692]

Yep. This particular content manager is inspiring me like Merriam-Webster Dictionary or the National Park Service did.

[@fayesouthall6604]

She was covering for Jack 100%

[@GAMOM1317]

Best show on TV.

[@Nickc4555]

Thus demonstrating the intellect required to hold high office and the gulf between that and the leaders we elect today, not just in the US, but around the world.

[@LKicker13]

“HOW DO I SOUND!?!?”

[@LuAn-su3xb]

I laugh hard every single time I rewatch this scene! They were so good together

[@JB-xl2jc]

And rarely for an incredible line in a show, it's 100% usable in real life without sounding weird lol

[@bearsharkp3901]

"purely humanitarian reasons" -strength and power are to be used to help and protect people

[@PaperbackWizard]

1:21 to 1:58 is one of my favorite scenes in this show.

[@PaperbackWizard]

Also, it's **astounding** how much they can fit into five minutes of television.

[@rgomoffat]

Just a dream of how it's supposed to work with the kind of people who make it work.

[@srkh8966]

Luckily, we can watch and rewatch

[@CBeard849]

As a lifelong Conservative I can tell you that WW was TV at it's finest! If today's Democratic Party were like the one portrayed on WW I'd be voting Democratic.....and that Party would have massive popular support across this Nation and unbeatable Majorities in both the HOR & Senate!

[@christopherboone9802]

Unfortunately the Republicans aren't this way for sure....which is why I'm an independent

[@lisagulick4144]

Oh, how I miss this show....

[@Quinn-e9c]

Apologies if I am restating anything that has already been said, but I don't have time to read through 353 previous comments as of my posting this one... I wasn't able to follow THE WEST WING when it was originally broadcast. But when it became available to stream, I binge-watched the Hell out of it. And now I'm about to do it again. This was the perfect visual combination of writing, acting, dialogue, cinematography, etc. I have never seen a show that comes close to THE WEST WING in terms of these things. This clip exemplifies what I'm talking about. Before I found THE WEST WING, I had seen the movie, AN AMERICAN PRESIDENT, in which Martin Sheen also starred. I really liked that movie. I found out (years later) that Aaron Sorkin was the creative genius behind that movie and that he and Martin Sheen discussed the subsequent endeavor of THE WEST WING in which Sheen would get to portray the President this time.

[@Jim.Husband]

Yep: The West Wing is literally the expanded tv-series version of An American President - Aaron Sorkin wrote them both.

[@MrGrouchofan]

No apologies necessary. And welcome to the club.

[@LaSomis]

I hate that there are no streaming services in Mexico where I can see it. I was so young when it first aired, and I would love to watch it with older eyes-not more mature, just older.

[@madjennie3417]

It's totally worth it to purchase, if you can find it. Then you don't have to worry about streaming

[@samsowden]

🦜🏴‍☠

[@derrickstorm6976]

I hope they make a clip of the intern girls, I can't remember what episode it is and don't know how to find it but I really liked Will's shifting attitude toward them

[@terrygracy8345]

It’s the very next episode I believe.

[@tonychan8558]

@@terrygracy8345 I think Will was writing the next State of the Union?

[@terrygracy8345]

@@tonychan8558 no. He was working on the new tax plan rollout. The episode before was SOTU

[@erickg162]

Every 4 years I do a rewatch of The West Wing, Can you guys guess what year that is ?

[@kathe4127]

I understand and can relate. I actually rewatched much of it leading up to Obama's administration. It helped me understand a political mindset that is not my own. While I cannot remember exact details, I do remember understanding some of the choices that I saw made in the following years because I took the time to listen to this differing opinion. I am hard pressed to name many TV shows that fascinate the wannabe writer in me as much as this one. Oh, there was another favorite, from around the same time: Sports Night (1998-2000), created by Aaron Sorkin. I really value and miss good dialogue that is skillfully performed.

[@Scorpio.1989]

While I don't agree with all of the politics in West Wing, it was a *DAMN GOOD SHOW!!!*

[@zoeyrochellezhombie829]

It was just a show. Don't need to agree or disagree. It just showed how the White House worked.

[@ukstd1]

Can you imagine a world where the WH is residence to someone with a brain and articulation like that? Would we all not sleep better? When are we going to hold our politicians to a high enough standard to get leaders of this calibre.

[@BrianRussTVC]

If you don’t know the exposition, this must be really confusing

[@michaelswinburne4350]

They knew what their roles would be had this course of action been decided upon by their chief. Time, was of the essence it always is in the White house, which is to say, minimal. If you trust your team and place no limit on their reach, over and above the clouds could be a mere starters gate.

[@SylvanSkywatcher]

Spoiler alert! Donna didn't do it.

[@GeralltGymro1]

Thank blooming goodness...

[@KookyKay82]

So who did?

[@kennethchristensen9451]

@@KookyKay82 her boyfreind i think

[@mnm25479]

They chose the right segment. Great episode.

[@jordanledoux197]

@@KookyKay82 It was the military boyfriend that has been reassigned. Josh figures it out after seeing the whole quote and realizing that it included a detail about the Pentagon budget that Donna couldn't possibly know.

[@quadcannon]

Be nice if the US would one day do this: act purely on humanitarian grounds and nothing else.

[@Katiekatie948]

The US did. Under Jimmy Carter. For the first time the President made our claims of having the high moral ground into reality. Ron Reagan undermined the whole thing by making back room deal with Iraq to not release the hostages until after the election. So much for moral and honest actions.

[@lebojay]

Jimmy Carter showed America what a real Christian looks like. They didn’t like it one bit, so they reinvented Christianity to reflect their values of selfishness and self-righteousness.

[@tomb7942]

@@Katiekatie948 First of all, a half a dozen investigations proved that no, no deal was made WITH IRAN to hold the hostages until after the election. They kept the hostages because they were pissed at Carter for not turning over the Shah and they knew Reagan wasn't a pansy like Carter and was going to remove the Mullahs from power. Second of all, when the US does go in and stops some crisis, the US is accused of being the worlds police.

[@Celticjesus]

You know how many times the US military and Navy respond to emergencies, famines, earthquakes? In country where we have no strategic interest?

[@tomb7942]

@@Celticjesus How about the 2 hospital ships that sail around the world helping people? Both are US navy vessels.

[@SgtMjr]

We all know it was idealized but damn was the WW great political theater. Netflix 'The Diplomat' is the closest we have and I want S2 dammit!!

[@kmcq692]

I agree!

[@SkipperGoesDark]

It is more corporate in the politics, dialogue and humor, but I can highly recommend "Succession" to people who love West Wing.

[@Whisper555]

This is the episode that Will Bailey was permanently promoted to Deputy White House Communications Director.

[@thomash.schwed3662]

Only to squander that opportunity by subsequently going to work for Hoynes on the premise that he would be the next nominee.

[@zoeyrochellezhombie829]

Yup. Then not long after Donna followed cuz she was sick of Josh being an ass.

[@TheDarknightRemix]

​@@thomash.schwed3662 not Hoynes, the other one who's name is escaping me.

[@thomash.schwed3662]

​@@TheDarknightRemixYou're right. Will went to work for Russell. Thank you.

[@TheDarknightRemix]

@@thomash.schwed3662 yeah that guy lol

[@adrianreid2055]

Those were the days

[@LindaKing-lf8nk]

Wish this was back on

[@alefer007]

Ridate la serie in Italia!

[@stanmoroncini8825]

I miss shows like this

[@danielwarren7110]

when i worked in media for a large corp, on day one i was told "you are always on the record, even if you ask for off the record" as i built relationships with journos i got to the point with some i could be off the record but it always took time to build that relationship where i could trust them... but i always knew it was a risk, i was lucky never got quoted when i said off the record... but it took a year or two for the first time i agreed to it. And even then i was still careful of my words

[@quetzalthegamer]

I haven't gotten to this point. What happened here?

[@Heather-xz8fk]

Can we get him as president in the next four years? Please.

[@COMPNETServicesLLC]

TV has spoiled us. Reality is much darker.

[@Rhojin83]

Spoiler: It wasn't actually Donna.

[@RT22-pb2pp]

I lucked up and found entire series on DVD at a thrift store. I paid like 30 bucks for the whole series. I watch it every coupe of months. I will spend a long weekend playing it start to finish. No series has ever been on TV that can touch west wing. Next best one also got cheap at thrift store is sons of anarchy. 2 totally different series but the 2 best I have ever seen. My next one will be game of thrones, never seen a episode in its entirety but the clips got me. That and Emelia Clarke, her smile alone is enough for me to get the series.

[@Stuart.Mckenzie]

The hilarious point here is that under Trumps administration he’d just shrug it off as “fake news”.

[@JohnJones-gp1ky]

Inauguration ceremonies aren't held in public on Sundays

[@SamBrickell]

Do you honestly think this show was accurate in even the tiniest bit??? It's Sorkin-writing, all it does is make average to below average intelligence people feel "clever".

[@mc76]

@@SamBrickell Yet here you are. What does that say about you?

[@viastephtop]

God, what intelligent writing. We need intelligence on TV again, it's all just garbage.

[@MusicGunn]

Sorkin should resurrect TWW and do it in today's political climate and... MAKE IT A FULL-BLOWN COMEDY! I think it might be a little early to laugh at turmpism, but give it a couple years and I think you have comedy gold and it has already written itself.

[@johnmacdonald976]

One of my favourite scenes, which is why it annoyed me when at the end of season 5/start of season 6 they had Bartlet dove so hard, in total contradiction of the start of his second term

[@mepucket3029]

Adam Sorrkin please we need our current and last leadership to learn. New west wing leadership class please 😊

[@hopewalker5764]

Oh shut up. Working interviewed tons of dems for this show including Joe Biden.

[@stampede122]

I get the feeling unless you *explicitly* say ‘it’s off the record’, bet you bottom dollar in an egg basket that x said is on the record

[@vicf5726]

"no country has ever had a doctrine of intervention when only humanitarian interests were at stake" hmm, a single country went to war at sea and on land to rid the world of a despicable and disgusting trade, a trade which our modern minds are still riven with guilt over, does anyone know which country I am alluding too?

[@christianstrong2480]

I do, it weighs on my mind why the parliament to the farmer belived that they had the right to push their beliefs of morality on the known world. and how the last three generations progressively understand less of how moral and peaceful our western European culture lives are compared to the majority of the world. When is it Right to spread your beliefs through Blood and Steel.???

[@rdhassanzadeh]

The United Kingdom. It'd be a different world without their extremely active efforts to rid the world of slavery in the 1800s.

[@christopherpardell4418]

Why, I think you are alluding the nation that INVENTED modern racial slavery thru the triangle trade. I think they may have had every right to try and UNDO the thing they were responsible for. Prior to the triangle trade, Slavery was a misfortune, not a fate predicated upon one’s skin color.

[@Ginjaninja623]

If you're referring to the United States Civil war, it began following the declaration of secession by the southern states and the attack by the south on Fort Sumter. The circumstances surrounding the North's fighting were of course incredibly noble, but our nation was attacked by traitors. That is not the same as a nation invading another sovereign nation who has not declared hostilities on the former solely for humanitarian reasons.

[@muyangcheng3874]

If you're talking about the Blockade of Africa then I must say, I always find it amusing how the British people unironically applaud themselves as if they ended their colonialism voluntarily lul......What's even funnier is them thinking that they are on a moral high ground just because they stopped doing the things that caused 90% of today's world's geopolitical problems and somehow the mess they left behind was automatically no longer their problem lmfao.

[@Whynotthem65]

Obama, Kennedy, and maybe LBJ, could give that type of presidential talk but not many politicans overall have such Constitutional knowledge, oratory skills, or charisma to pull it off at night and to a smaller audience.

[@Bill-iz3od]

Your government loves you😢😢

[@fatimamirza2100]

Freedom of speech everywhere, freedom of religion everywhere, freedom of education everywhere…. Ya sure 🇺🇸 doesn’t even have all that at home!! Get over yourselves

[@SSNewberry]

In 2024 I am bouncing back and forth between the real election and this show. This is far more entertaining but it is written by people who have the panache. The real world is however more harrowing.

[@johnwest194]

i used to find the presidents diatribes fascinating but now I find them nauseating and done to show how smart he is - yuck!

[@harryhays113]

For such noble purposes are the principles of a nation sacrificed; this sounds like a clearly positive statement, but the consequences of claiming moral superiority while ignoring our own oppression has turned the world against us.

[@Jabber-ig3iw]

Great show but completely unbelievable, since when has the US ever acted for the greater good rather than purely what’s in the best interest of itself?😂😂😂😂😂😂 Love Sorkin but he is very idealistic, naively so.

[@zappa5162]

I guess. But Americans need compelling stories speaking to their better angels or you get MAGA movements.

[@HailinRain]

Somalia

[@ered203]

A doctrine of intervention solely when only humanitarian interests were at stake...were that is was so. One could kind of say that was the case with Clinton and Kosovo...kind of...eventually.

[@partyguy101ify]

Honestly, if I was President, I probably would have told Donna to either resign or be let go even if I knew she was just covering for her boyfriend. I don't need someone with that big of a mouth and who gives herself that little of self-respect in my administration.

[@dominicbuckley8309]

Except that it wasn't Donna...

[@cmupensfan]

Donna was always the innocent, naive character. She had the family's trust when she got Dr. Barlett to accept censure. She was loyal to the President

[@tonychan8558]

Episode 1, Josh said 'Lady, the god you pray to is too busy being indicted for tax fraud.'. EVERYONE thought Josh was going to be fired, but he kept his job. Donna (it wasn't her BTW)'s quote was not even on the same level. Remember, Bartlet's MS and Leo's drinking addiction happened before this, so this was small in comparison.

[@thomash.schwed3662]

@@tonychan8558I love that line from Josh in the pilot. If only a real-life figure from the White House would have the courage to say that to one of these Theocratic zealots, such as the ones in the Louisiana General Assembly!

[@phillip_rogersjr]

Why did they have Donna make stupid choices with her Republican boyfriends? First, the diary thing with Cliff and then lying for Jack.

[@yt_energy]

can we get presidents like this again. The last one was Obama

[@kmcq692]

The show actually dramatized him as a fictional candidate in this show the year before. I remember how it felt to watch it in 2008.

[@YologamerY13]

Dude Obama started how many wars?

[@vdoggydogg3922]

You think Obama had morals? he said one thing and did the exact opposite. He also killed an American citizen by drone in the middle east (and he was the target). He was also behind subverting the voters and pushing Biden out for Harris. Great man indeed.

[@bdinaz]

Obama? He spoke lot and did nothing. MREs and blankets to Ukraine instead of javelins.

[@vdoggydogg3922]

@@bdinaz can you choose your own doctor?

[@deejay1964]

Imagine an America with a President like Jed Bartlett. If Bartlett was a 9/10, I wonder what Trump is in comparison (0.5/10).

[@SamBrickell]

Your TDS is absolutely pathetic.

[@seanhoward5162]

-15/10

[@BehaviorPlanPam]

I was going to say there aren’t enough negative numbers.

[@saa001]

15/10

[@BehaviorPlanPam]

@saa001 sure. I can see that he’s your opioid in this day and age (to reference Ken Burns).

[@carlousmagus5387]

Imperialism is Imperialism. I am Fundamentally opposed.

[@smwalter]

holy cow - compared to what we are seeing now - this is bad?????

[@nunyabidness9578]

Back in the days when the White House cared. Now they just don’t care.

[@us-Bahn]

Danny is a schmuck in so many ways

[@bryanstephens4800]

Ought to wear coat and tie in the Oval Office

[@dominicbuckley8309]

It's often said that Reagan never went in the Oval Office unless he was wearing a suit and tie, but this is a myth. There are plenty of photos of him in the Office wearing casual clothes.

[@stargazer7644]

You don't get dressed and undressed every time your walk in and out of the room.

[@DavidHubball-x2q]

Then it ws West Wing-now its Sex and the City!

[@harrybaulz666]

Too bad the biden white house isnt this

[@jamesbarnesii4124]

It is the closest thing to it, only second to the Obama administration

[@alvinwagner6085]

The older this show gets the less it looks like the current Democratic Party.

[@shaneduett7967]

Those are no longer democratic talking points

[@wjbushjr]

Yes it is, it’s talking about the right of privacy and what can be used to be used for a interview

[@derrickstorm6976]

No it's you conservatives who are so full of yourselves that you think anything that doesn't go as you want is an attack on your freedoms. You think your freedom to practise your religion means you can ban every other religion from the country, and every other hypocrisy you commit and lable under Christianity That your freedom to free speech means you can say whatever you want without consequences That your freedom to bear arms let's you intimidate others with them That your freedom to decide on the education your children gets means you can make everyone's children as uneducated as you want yours to be And ten million other things you think you can do freely, but immediately start crying if someone you don't like does the exact same thing

[@benlowe1701]

In their defence, the Democrats are probably more concerned that half of their fellow citizens are considering electing a known rapist to the role. They don't really have that luxury right now.

[@tomb7942]

@@wjbushjr Name for me the last time a non conservative politician talked about privacy rights. The few actual conservatives do, but the other say 85% just keep giving the various agencies more and more power to spy on the US people.

[@TheEspill]

Excuse me, but which party is fighting for Ukraine to remain free and which party would like to let Russian imperialists force them into a dictatorship?

[@gerardhunt1890]

I hated Will. I thought he was the worst character in the entire series.

[@bluekitten6728]

For me it was Mandy. Thankfully they got rid of her after the first season.

[@tonychan8558]

Mandy, Season 1, was far worse. I hated her aggressive attitude. I'm glad her character was written out.

[@sanell6]

Test

[@GageTheMan]

Thumbs Down

[@gerardmeadows626]

Ive never liked josh.

[@calivega9557]

Television has become so weak

[@zedfan4598]

I love hating this