S1E19 · Let Bartlet Be Bartlet

Complete story — includes the ending

When the weather suddenly changes just before a speech by President Bartlet, Sam forgets to change the introductory remarks, thus creating a humorous and embarrassing moment. Two members of the Federal Election Commission have resigned, so the staff members start preparing for new appointments; Josh meets with the Senate leadership from both parties, but the conversation does not go well. Both the staff and the press hear a rumor about the circulation of an unknown memo; Mandy volunteers to C.J. that she wrote the memo when she worked for Sen. Russell, and that it outlines both the weaknesses of the Bartlet administration and a strategy to defeat President Bartlet for the nomination for reelection. C.J. demands a copy immediately and Mandy complies. After reading it, C.J. approaches Toby, who shares it with Josh, who comments that their second year has not gone better than their first. Sam and Toby meet with a group of military officers about a recommendation to the President on the service of gays in the armed forces, but that discussion too does not go well; Admiral Fitzwallace, the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs, pops in and offers his advice; eventually the meeting ends without achieving anything. Mrs. Landingham encourages the President to improve his eating choices. C.J. learns which reporter has the damaging memo, and she hears that a story will appear in print the next morning. Margaret has computer and email problems, and Leo reads the memo. The President reads it, then he and Leo have a heart-to-heart chat, after which Leo tells the senior staffers that they will start raising the level of public debate in the nation and let that be their legacy even if they do lose some political battles; they agree that they serve at the pleasure of the President, and Leo tells them to get into the game. Note: John Spencer submitted this episode as a nominee for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama series. Also submitted as one of the package of episodes for The West Wing ' s first of four consecutive Outstanding Drama Series wins.