Put down the baseball bat, Bartlet.

[sinkwriter]

For the lovely jordle, who wanted a good Leo McGarry quote. (Per her own post here.)

There are so many terrific Leo quotes and this is definitely more than a quick quote, but I do enjoy this particular moment from episode 1x03. It's remarkable because the President (Bartlet) is getting a long-needed reprimand from his own Chief of Staff (Leo), and it's a testament to their rich friendship that he finally hears what Leo is trying to say. When you see the scene, as acted by the magnificent John Spencer and the marvelous Martin Sheen, you'll realize how truly unforgettable this exchange is.


From The West Wing, "A Proportional Response":


LEO: We are behaving the way a superpower ought to behave.

BARTLET: Well, our behavior has produced some pretty crappy results. In fact, I'm not a hundred percent sure it hasn't induced them.

LEO: What are you talking about?

BARTLET: I'm talking about two hundred and eight-six American Marines in Beirut, I'm talking about Somalia, I'm talking about Nairobi!

LEO: And you think ratcheting up the body count's gonna act as a deterrent?

BARTLET: You're damn right.

LEO: Then you are just as dumb as these guys who think that capital punishment is going to be a deterrent for drug kingpins! As if drug kingpins didn't live their day-to-day lives under the possibility of execution. And their executions are a lot less dainty than ours and tend to take place without the bother and expense of due process. So, my friend, if you want to start using American military strength as the arm of the Lord... you can do that, we're the only superpower left. You can conquer the world, like Charlemenge. But you better be prepared to kill everyone, and you better start with me 'cause I will raise up an army against you and I will beat you!

BARTLET: He had a ten-day-old baby at home.

LEO: (softly) I know.

BARTLET: We are doing nothing. They dest--

LEO: We are not doing nothing. Four high-rated military targets.

BARTLET: And this is good?

LEO: Of course it's not good, there is no good. It's what there is. It's how you behave if you're the most powerful nation in the world. It's proportional, it's reasonable, it's responsible, it's merciful. It's not nothing. Four high-rated military targets.

BARTLET: Which they'll rebuild again in six months.

LEO: (yelling) So we'll blow 'em up again in six months! We're getting really good at it. (pauses, quiet now) It's what our fathers taught us.

BARTLET: (ruefully, as he calms down) Why didn't you say so? (pauses) Oh man, Leo. When I think of all the work you put in to get me to run... when I think of all the work you did to get me elected... I could pummel your ass with a baseball bat.

(they both bust out laughing)

***********


Too long of a quote? What do you want from me? It's an amazing scene, and that was only a portion of it!

Okay, okay. Here's a quick and easy one:

LEO: Andrew Jackson, in the main foyer of his White House, had a big block of cheese...

From 1x05, "The Crackpots and These Women." If you want to know more about Andrew Jackson and his big block of cheese, you'll just have to watch the episode. Trust me, it's funny. ;)

So... what are your favorite Leo McGarry quotes?

Comments

[geezbones.livejournal.com]

Oh, no. I suck at remembering any quote from The West Wing. Specially since I haven't seen it in ages. But now I want to rewatch it!

[sinkwriter.livejournal.com]

*waves to Sofi*

But now I want to rewatch it!

I highly recommend it. And now I feel like rewatching it, too. ;)

Glad to hear from you!

[geezbones.livejournal.com]

Glad to hear from you!

Same here, it seems like a lot of time since I last entered TJ's message board. I don't know why I stopped going in there, it must be huge now.

How are you?

[sinkwriter.livejournal.com]

The whole site is in the midst of a reworking. If you haven't seen the new home page, you should. Sharon's been working really hard on it. :) Apparently TJ's been trying to come up with new ideas for the site too, so you have suggestions, come on over!

How are you?

Well, that's a complicated question. *GRIN* I've been pretty depressed lately. Still no new job. I've had some interviews, come close on a couple of jobs, but in the end they went with someone else. It's disappointing and frustrating and stressful, and I've struggled with that all year. I'm really hoping this upcoming year will be much, much better. I'm ready for positive changes.

Other than that, not much going on with me. I'm looking forward to spending the holiday with my family, who are all coming to visit and stay at my grandmother's for Christmas. Should be fun. Especially to see my nephew and nieces, who are always entertaining and funny.

How are things with you? :D

[geezbones.livejournal.com]

Wow! The new site is looking amazing, I think I'll start to get in touch again with everyone in there. And may be extending my help to whatever they need to be done in it.

I'm sorry to hear you haven't find a job yet. It's good that you focus on good thoughts for the year to come, after all the ups and downs it's the only way to get through. You know what they say, the last thing to lose is the hope. :) And celebrating the holidays with your family will be good too, that will cheer you up.

Me? Well, let's see...I went to Spain for a little less than two months and I visited incredible places and I had a little reunion with some friends from childhood that went to live there when I was 10. It was amazing (I have pictures in my facebook account). I still can't believe is gone and all I have now are the momories I wrote down on a journal I kept. Besides that, the trip helped me to soothe things with my mom, we were having some really bad time before I went away, fight after fight. But now it's getting better.

I had only one more subject from highschool (Math) to sit for a week ago and I failed it, which made me a little bit sad but I can re-take it on February and I know that I'll pass it then.

And what else? I started working a few months ago in my brother's business. He owns a catering company (I'm a waitress at the events they run), and although it's not much what they pay me, because I only have 1 event per week more or less, at least I have fun and I'm gaining some working experience.

[wendelah1]

Those are my favorites, and two of the very best episodes.

[sinkwriter.livejournal.com]

I'm so pleased you liked them, wendelah1. :)

I've been thinking about you a lot lately, especially after that one recent post of yours. How are you doing? *sending you lots of cheer and warm, encouraging hugs*

[fire-mare.livejournal.com]

Ditto on the scene from "A Proportional Response" - its one of my favorites from the first season. I remember when I showed JD the episode for the first time. The Hubby turned to me and said "This show is Freakin' Great!" I had him hooked :)

That scene is a Leo stand-out for me. For others, I would also pick his little speech to Josh at the end of "Noel" (..."The friend says, 'Yeah, but I've been down here before, and I know the way out.'"). And even though he doesn't say anything, the scene with him and Jed at the end of "Bartlett for America"


And, of course, one of my favorite Leo and Margaret moments has to be.... :)

Margaret: "Can I just say something for the future? *I* can sign the president's name. I've got his signature down pretty good."
Leo McGarry: "You can sign the president's name?"
Margaret: "Yeah."
Leo McGarry: "On a document removing him from power and giving it to someone else?"
Margaret: "Yeah. Or do you think the White House Counsel would say that's a bad idea?"
Leo McGarry: "I think the White House Counsel would say that's a Coup D'Etat!"
Margaret: "I'd probably end up doing some time for that."
Leo McGarry: "I would think. And what the hell are you doing practicing the president's signature?"
Margaret: "It's just for fun."
Leo McGarry: "We've got separation of powers, checks and balances, and Margaret, vetoing things and sending them back to the hill."

[sinkwriter.livejournal.com]

I knew I could count on you to chime in! *does happy dance*

I love that "Noel" monologue. It's one of the most memorable, moving moments of the entire series. Truly unforgettable. And that line you quoted chokes me up every time.

Isn't it marvelous how John Spencer could convey so much with the way he said a word or just with an expression? I almost mentioned that moment when Jed tells him how Charlie wants to ask Zoey out, and all Leo does is grin widely and we know exactly what he's thinking (which is why Jed immediately says "Shaddup!"). Heeeee. I love that moment. Those two characters had a terrific friendship, and sooo funny sometimes. "Your impersonation of my mother is getting sharper and sharper, you know that?" Hehhh.

I LOVE that Leo and Margaret moment. Talk about a comedy team. Those two were hilarious. Yet, they also had these wonderful moments where you just knew she was there for him, like she wouldn't even think of leaving the office until he was done. She knew everything about him, and he trusted her so much. Very cool.

Ah, just thinking about all these quotes makes me want to revisit my DVDs. It's been far too long since I've watched the show. (And I still have one WW story I want to finish editing, if only I could find the energy and the inspiration to do so. I've just been so disconnected lately. Blech.)

Thanks for writing! Hope you and the hubby are staying warm and safe in this CRAZY snow we're having today. Skip work, stay indoors together, have some hot cocoa, and watch DVDs.