The West Wing President Bartlett having therapy

[@jamietodd2560]

I like the way the therapist responds to Bartlett's comments, showing that he's not intimidated and is just as quick intellectually.
He's almost dismissive in his tone, as if he wants Bartlett to look deeper and not recite platitudes ("quiet desperation") that might have helped in the past but are obviously no longer adequate to stifle his inner turmoil.
Bartlett is afraid to be his true self because he has always tried to be the version who would deserve his father's love. He never succeeded, but he thought it was possible if he could just meet certain expectations, and that conditioned him from a young age to conform to the expectations of others, and to have _incredibly_ high expectations for himself. And as President he is answerable to the expectations of an entire country and compared to its greatest leaders.
The therapist is being so blunt and forceful because he's trying to get Bartlett to realize this on a conscious level, to make him recognize the impossibility, and ultimately the absurdity, of the standard to which he holds himself.

[@EtoileLion]

It's that very recitation that Stanley needs to reach and break. Bartlett has sunk into the role of president; everyone says yes, does what he says when he says. He recites the platitudes, and gets responses in kind. He's the master and commander of the ship that is the White House.
Until someone says no.
Until someone says no who Bartlett can't just throw overboard as a dissenter. Someone who can stand toe-to-toe with the POTUS and stay as grounded. Someone who will tell him the truth. Someone who is not dismissed from the room, but leaves on his own terms. Someone that breaks the mold of the servant of the President, and shatters the glass bubble of an echo chamber that he's unwittingly encased himself in.
It's often said an addict has to 'hit bottom' in order to be able to see out of that bubble. Having Stanley around is how Bartlett hits bottom. The only other person to be this for Bartlett is himself, in the form of the ghost of Mrs. Landingham in Two Cathedrals. While he may not be the President, in that room, they stand as equals. Something very, very rare for a President.

[@kanduli3298]

Go

[@edbuller4435]

"Truth to power" almost never exists in such an intimate setting. The Dichotomy of the role of leader! In many ways, perhaps THE reason the it rarely works. Democracy in any meaningful understanding of the word is less than 100 years old. It's not working properly yet. Perhaps we should stop trying to find benevolent Kings and Queens and look elsewhere.

[@romulusnr]

"I am the king!"
"NO SIR! YOU are the PATIENT!"

[@cyberperson53]

Mr. President, you can screw around all you want. But it's your money, it's about to be MY money, and I sleep fine.

[@steampunker7]

One of my favorite lines of the series.

[@franka1621]

Damn! Zinger...
Great writing any masterfully acted!

[@carlrosa1130]

This was the scene...the first scene...I had ever seen of the show. After this scene, I was riveted. Dr. Stanley Keyworth (Adam Arkin) was teaching President Bartlett two things - (1) prepare for brutal honesty to find the source of your problems...and (2) the therapist sets the boundaries, no matter who you are.

[@cards0486]

I loved when Dr. Keyworth made it clear to President Bartlett that HE would be running these sessions. No input from the president was needed or welcomed.

[@kenhenderson7999]

I totally bought Adam Arkin as a psychiatrist. He nailed the role perfectly. I forgot I was watching an actor and believed he was a real "shrink".

[@brendar9363]

I love Arkin. Alan and Adam. But you are right. Just by the end of this scene, it make logical sense that he turn his back to the President and walk.

[@b991228]

Ken Henderson - Only West Wing could bring on great actors willing to do one or two episodes and have them deliver this kind of performance. It doesn’t get better than this.

[@jimmy2k4o]

He was brilliant in Halloween H20
Underrated horror sequel

[@charleswhitehead8027]

Arkin was awesome in that role

[@fifthbusiness1678]

A very good actor (as was his father).

[@robertpolityka8464]

I like the fact that The Doctor treats the President (almost) like any other person.
Except for making a house call and making it a double session, he is there to help Jeb Bartlett, not the President.

[@christybradfield7812]

I've had double and even triple sessions.

[@BC-kx6db]

Agreed. And it’s a nice touch to make his character completely (though respectfully) disregarding his position

[@partyguy101ify]

All respectable mental health professionals always do double-time sessions the first time around to assess their patients.

[@davidlabarca4268]

The double session is common. The house call is because otherwise he'd have half the secret service in his waiting room.

[@jaycorbin5361]

@@davidlabarca4268 Not to mention, do you think the President and his fleet of cars would be able to go to anyplace in Washington discreetly? Plus the time it would take to put up and take down security measures? Having anything but a house call for the President would just be a bad idea for many reasons.

[@AndreAFirenze]

this is simply one of the million answer to the question "why do you love so much The West Wing?"

[@jbr496]

I had forgotten how good this interaction was. Great writing and acting.

[@bodaciousoasis2574]

A little smack down of humility every now and again is good for everybody, even a tv president😏

[@brichardson131]

I had the very good fortune of meeting Mr. Arkin on, of all places, the Brooklyn Bridge a week ago Saturday. I never could have anticipated what a fine fellow he would be. He is. I got to cross his path for five minutes and I'm the better for it.

[@wesj1989]

I could watch a series just based on these two and their conversations.

[@JohnSmith-zn5nw]

I know this is two years late but if you like a show that's all conversation then checkout "The Booth at the End" TV show.

[@blaincruel3217]

That guy is the only 1 on this show more badazz than president bartlett. From when he helped josh till the end he showed mastery of his profession and used it well.

[@jonathandonley3299]

"I'm not trying to get my father to like me."
"Good. 'Cause it's never, never going to happen."
Those lines really opened my eyes to what I was experiencing in my own family. It kind of freed me from trying to live up to the expectations of people who were never going to be happy with whatever I did and allowed me to just focus on making myself happy.

[@blakedevitt6948]

Check, please.

[@atwenga]

One of the few times Bartlet got a spanking without so much as a witty come back :D

[@partyguy101ify]

Yep, CJ does the same thing a few times. The President even says he got spanked one of those times. 😂

[@rugbynimbus]

Now THAT'S a therapist.

[@Tigerman1138]

Someone trolled me saying it was Hollywood and fantasyland when I posted the same. Screw them.

[@rugbynimbus]

My mother had a terrible therapist at one point. Someone who coddled her, only told her how she was right or the victim or was so misunderstood. And while she might have been those things at one point or another, this person never challenged her, never tried to help her become something other than what she already was. Stanley here, he challenged, he said the thing out loud that Bartlett was only saying inside his head. That's risky...and completely necessary.

[@ivanpb1983]

The therapist does a better George Clooney than Clooney himself.

[@jamesblackwell1154]

wait... that's not George Clooney?

[@mkrny111]

Adam arkin..

[@skyler17itodi29]

Fuck off

[@williamleewolverine]

@@skyler17itodi29 rude

[@randytedford6108]

IMHO, This is the best scene in The West Wing and it was a tv drama consisting of almost entirely outstanding scenes.
I watch this scene frequently when I need to fine tune my focus...

[@bennylloyd-willner9667]

Can't help myself smiling when he says "...not easy being you...moving the goal post...get into the LSE..."
...
In "Yes Minister/Prime Minister" Humphy doesn't think that the London School of Economics is much of an achievement 😁

[@jerryx3253]

LSE is not an achievement for working in the Civil Service I think is what Humpy meant. (Since civil servants practically ran the country, their qualifications were much more stringent (Oxbridge standards))

[@bennylloyd-willner9667]

@@jerryx3253 yup, that was what I meant so all with you there 👍

[@googoo-gjoob]

The *GREATEST* show in the _HISTORY_ of television

[@blackhawkswincup2010]

I agree wholeheartedly, with one small caveat: I can't decide whether I like this or Band of Brothers better.

[@groovygirl23]

Arkin's episodes as Pres. Bartlett's shrink were some of the best of the series.

[@dan4894]

That was a great line about Lincoln.....I think that is true about all Presidents...They won't do the right thing if it means not getting reelected..

[@redskins973]

+Dan Roberts What about Truman and Executive Order 9981?

[@PaperbackWizard]

George H.W. Bush broke his "no new taxes" pledge and lost reelection. It still happens.

[@st.stboneboner2707]

PaperbackWizard
he lost re-election due to H. Ross Perot

[@PaperbackWizard]

Bush's broken promise is what opened the door for Perot to get a foothold in the race. Seriously, Perot's campaign was a joke. The only reason anyone took him "seriously" is because Bush approved new taxes.

[@coena9377]

I would argue that Carter is an exception.

[@bogdana8490]

Its funny how Aaron Sorkin also uses the same ending in the Newsroom when Will goes for therapy 😁 "use me, use someone else etc"

[@HoustonTom]

The WW missed an opportunity to have more of these scenes over the years.

[@MariusRiley]

: The episodes could've begun with the therapist's voice-over that started with "Dear Sigmund..."

[@thesnowbold1632]

The line from Stanley starting at 1:34 is what expressly defines the majority of our leaders in America.

[@pkmatt3]

when talent oozes at you without trying, most think of the illustration and miss the creative spark actors hungered for these words, the crosstalk, the quiet conclusion with its abrupt stop. Yes, the actors nailed it, know Sheen is hard to miss, and your point was right on..be in a room and notes were taken, it felt like that

[@areeklamthong]

Arkin played a neuro surgeon in Chicago Hope an American medical soap. Excellent scene from the best tv series ever!

[@fredhoupt4078]

wow, that was powerful. I must have missed that in watching the shows. wow.

[@Strategic_Reformer]

"Adam!! How you doing? Sam get into Stanford?"

[@brendar9363]

Laying my cards down...... I don't care for Martin Sheen. But man can he act. The last 2 seconds of this scene are amazing. All you see if the slight view of the side of the President's face and you can see 100% of the "I just got schooled in my own home room".

[@johnwest194]

why dont you care for ms?

[@timhorn0511]

I understand and appreciate you can compartmentalize. That is the sign of a solid mind.

[@josephacevedo2937]

Thank u, next.
Man he predicted Arianna Grande’s hit.

[@DisappearingBoy2010]

I love this scene. People sometimes need be told 'no'.

[@mikesouthern7666]

Telling truth to Power. The closest & furthest you’ll ever get to earning the respect from someone whom cringes to give it to you, yet they know they should.

[@allenaddams3999]

That look Bartlett gives the therapist at 2:39; “you little shit!”
So perfect.

[@Tigerman1138]

Allen Richardson That look Bartlett gave is the “I have nothing to say because you’ve check-mated me.”

[@JavierRodriguez17565]

One of Adam Arkin’s best roles

[@jamesduggan7200]

Yep, I agree. He's got a great filmography.

[@Arcanagosa]

I love Adam. I eagerly see anything he's in. Though Northern Exposure was my first exposition so that grouchy chef has a permanent place in my heart.

[@zvimur]

There are a few good second generation actors. Adam Arkin is definitely the most underrated one.

[@darthvadersith514]

🎶It’s not easy, being Sheen. Havin’ to spend each day being the father, of Charlie.🎶

[@mtv21orders]

"I think Lincoln did what he thought was right even if it meant losing half the country. I think you don't do what you think is right, if it means losing Michigans electoral votes."
If any quote reflects the pussification of modern democratic politics more than this, I don't know what does.

[@steampunker7]

And as we speak we have a small, spiteful, stupid little man who's as crooked as a three dollar bill and couldn't tell the truth if his tongue was notarized sitting the Oval Office and Republicans don't have the spine, soul, or sanity to stand up to him or hold him accountable for his many, many, many wrongs, misdeeds, and acts of criminal behavior.
Don't you ever, EVER, opine about who's suffering from "pussification" ever again.

[@jaxcaulfield7071]

I think they owe more people for putting them there these days.

[@Karathos]

@@steampunker7 "Democratic" does not mean "Democrat" any more than "Republic" means "Republican". You're confusing regular words with political party names.
Modern democratic politics ARE pussified and it's actually quite funny how that comment is from 9 years ago but still holds true. I can say the same thing about my home politics in Finland, a representative democracy and a republic, where we have ZERO american-style Republicans or Democrats.

[@davidgibson7044]

Lives of quiet desperation. Story of mine.

[@teddykgb3865]

It's the English way.

[@MsPrincesspaulina]

@@teddykgb3865 The time is gone, the song is over, thought I'd something more to say

[@crucisnh]

Regardless of who's president, the very idea of a sitting president talking to a psychologist has to be very daunting. There's always the threat the Congress may want to pry into this and causing a scandal. And even if the prez wanted to keep it 100% private, it might be the hardest thing imaginable because someone may be bound to want to leak it to the press and some might argue that even talking to a psychologist might be grounds to invoke the 25th amendment to get the prez booted out of office. Oh, and never mind how difficult it might be to find a fully trustworthy psychologist.

[@BC-kx6db]

I’ve only today realised how much young Adam Arkin looks like his father at the same age. Both pretty successful!

[@wilson2455]

Adam Arkin was a great choice. also notice the Secret Service agent. i'm pretty sure he was Bartlett's 'point man' for the entire series..

[@cmj0929]

Bartlett was shook when he told him that they’re done and walked out

[@mikeoh712]

Best ever series. End of comment. 🇺🇸

[@snuffthemagicdragon9721]

The writing is incredible.

[@pauldockree9915]

Wow. Yes Doctor Stanley Keyworth. It is good to talk. Heard that somewhere. It is good to talk. 😢 I watched the In Treatment TV series via withdrawal from library. Original made for TV .... never mind.

[@davidshaffer4664]

Adam Arkin did not care about jed being president he is just another patient

[@efrenbojorquez]

“Its not easy.”
“OK.”
“ITS NOT EASY.”
“I believe you.”

[@MarcusLeepapi]

I miss this show..

[@pbdye1607]

Literally the only thing that Bartlett and Donald Trump have in common...daddy issues.

[@dutchking7293]

Trump is a real president, Bartlet is not!

[@ReelMeurik]

@@dutchking7293 While that might be true, if Bartlet were a real President, the country would rather have him in the Oval Office, than Chump.

[@dutchking7293]

@@ReelMeurik So, you are talking for the whole country now?

[@dutchking7293]

@Kevin McDougall And I always thought the demo rats invented the Kool-aid

[@dutchking7293]

@Kevin McDougall Been watching "Don Lemon? Like other DemoRats, he doesn't need it to be a bigoted lying (censored).

[@matthewpark7108]

This entire exchange of confrontations appears to add tension, but in reality, its therapeutic for Bartlett to hear someone tell him that he doesn't care if he is the President. It's therapeutic for Barlett to be told no and their session is over. The whole point of this was to make Bartlett feel small which makes him feel human and grounded. As President, I can only imagine that every decision you make is very important. Everything holds so much weight when you're the President. Because being President is incredibly important. But his can take a toll on a person.
Which is why the therapist knew he needed to make Bartlett feel human, take a break from those big decisions.

[@cshubs]

@ElodieK I still call him Adam-- from Northern Exposure.

[@anenglishmaninsandiego]

Alan Arkin: a member of that very select few of actors who maybe, very possibly, more talented than their already staggeringly talented parents. See also: Jared Harris, Gwyneth Paltrow, Michael Douglas, Domhnall Gleeson...

[@jameshiler7830]

If I could save the Union without freeing any slave, I would do it

[@psdeas7530]

Adam Arkin is an American classic.

[@97texascat]

We’re done when I say we’re done - mmm someone said that a bit later!

[@jamesduggan7200]

Sorkin has Arkin echo Sheen's tantrum in the National Cathedral.

[@amriquelme]

Bartlett's face, but what must have shifted inside him when he's told getting his father to like him is never never gonna happen...

[@peterjonas4971]

Lincoln freed the slaves and won the civil war. Thank you. Next! And what will you be singing for us today, Mr. Bartlett? "Well, we've had six quarters of economic growth." Such great writing in this scene.

[@ptyptypty3]

well, that was one fine Hell Of A Note ....

[@fyremanjef]

It’s your money
It’s about to become my money
And I sleep great.

[@MatthewKearney69]

Plus had helped Josh w the trauma after the shooting. Josh especially losing it during the music concert we the musical instruments sounding like the sirens .. 😪

[@willofalltrades2256]

Thank you, next🎶

[@vectorm4]

He played "Adam" on Northern Exposure.

[@blondegirlsezthis8798]

I'm from the future. Adam Arkin could not know then that Bartlett would be the small beacon of light many of us desperate americans would seek out during the time of Trump and the darkness overtaking out nation and the creeping fascism, greed and gridlock that exploded on January 6th 2021 into insurrection--right here in my own "greatest country on the planet". We must do better and Jed Bartlett reminded us of that.

[@kinsmed]

With a therapist... shouldn't the client do most of the talking.
See the thunder rolls when Stanley defies the POTUS.

[@kentdean3882]

Right you are. Great scene, though.

[@graemp]

Getting into the LSE listed as a great achievement|||? Liked the Dave Gilmour reference of "quiet desperation"

[@scouttroop291]

Bartlett pears

[@garbarek1078]

It's interesting that two of Sorkin's lead characters had fathers that abused them. Jed Bartlet and Will McAvoy 🤔. Either Sorkin projecting or he has tropes he goes to. Either way, I liked Adam Arkin as a recurring character in TWW.

[@jackscott4829]

"Lincoln freed the slaves and won the civil war."
Thank u, next.
LOL

[@pbdye1607]

Also the only president in American history to suspend Habeas Corpus, albeit not by executive order, but by due process of law. Still his 'John Hancock' on the bill, though. It took *ten years* to fully re-codify it back into law (1863-1873).

[@folan1974]

Stanley drops the mic!!!

[@dec9164]

"They keep moving the goal posts on you, don't they?"

[@hoffenwurdig1356]

1:16 President Lincoln did not "free the slaves." The Emancipation Proclamation declared slaves to be free only in those states under Confederate control. It didn't affect slavery in the North. Contrary to popular belief, Lincoln's primary motivation wasn't to free the slaves but to win the Civil War and reunite the Republic.

[@Vesperitis]

I find myself wondering what kind of experience Stanley Keyworth might have had in his past that gave him the audacity to treat the President of the United States as just another one of his stubborn patients.

[@pamalford8319]

RIP Alan Arkin, who did a marvelous job portraying Dr. Keyworth and many others.

[@MattersUnrelated]

Wrong Arkin

[@Tigerman1138]

After that moment he was finally able to sleep.
He acknowledged what was bothering him so, but he still needed Stanley going forward.

[@BrianEllinger-hh4rm]

I went to therapy for 3 years and was diagnosed with bipolar depression that's how I was awarded SSDI.....
And that's about the same time that the weird people the creepy people the stalker people started showing up

[@WorldNews92]

If it helps, I don't care he's the President either.

[@ericmiller93]

Good cause it’s never, never gonna happen.

[@Meanie74]

It hard out here for a President

[@kylasbibi]

Love this scene!!!

[@Whisky_Four-Three]

love that show

[@davidbennettracing538]

Good therapists set limits.

[@johnsrabe]

Why didn’t they use John Arbus!!!

[@timmccarthy5353]

DAMN good scene...!

[@mistybethune9116]

correction lincoln did not set out to free the slaves he freed the slaves 3 years into the war as a way to end the war more quickly

[@kevinkern4661]

Good scene 🎬

[@DoooBeeDoooBeeDooo]

This clip's sort of incomplete.
The actual scene ends where the shrink leaves n Bartlett lights up a smoke.

[@mattpope1746]

Dr. Keyworth, as did Toby far less tactfully, are trying to help Jed see the same thing: your political opponents, just like your father, are bullies who are unconcerned with doing what’s right for those who trust them, only what’s good for their careers. And both are trying to mindf**k you into shutting up.

[@DotBone89]

Do doors like that both have to open to work properly?

[@st.stboneboner2707]

whoa!!

[@Sonicisbadazz]

I think that's unfair. It assumes that "what is right" can clearly be measured as what YOU think is right. What is "right" is different for each individual. And I also feel the need to point out that if this is supposed to be a shot at Democrats and a praise of Republican values--and if its not, please disregard this--I believe I've heard plenty of Republicans arguing that Democrats should "listen to the people" when the people don't support what Democrats thinks is "right." Double standard.

[@shannakay4059]

what episode is this?

[@rod764]

Season 3, Episode 13 - "Night Five"

[@thedavecorp]

Cool.

[@dorarebelo673]

Actually, I wanted to end "with love" but I repressed myself because you are the President.
So, I edit my letter to you now.
With Love,
Dora

[@coena9377]

This is a great scene, but he's wrong about Lincoln. The Civil War happened because the sectional divide had been stewing since the Industrial Revolution removed northern dependence on the South without affecting southern dependence on the North. As the U.S. started claiming territories whether they would institute free labor or slave labor was a huge issue, and Lincoln's goal, believe it or not, was to unite the country. To quote him in a letter to Horace Greeley in 1862 "My paramount object in this struggle is to save the Union, and is not either to save or to destroy slavery. If I could save the Union without freeing any slave I would do it, and if I could save it by freeing all the slaves I would do it; and if I could save it by freeing some and leaving others alone I would also do that." Lincoln did express later in the letter that he was personally against slavery, but mainly, he just wanted the country to be at peace. Now just to clarify I am NOT saying that the Civil War wasn't about slavery, it most certainly was, I'm just saying Lincoln's priorities are different from what the therapist is describing here.

[@frenchydawg]

Okay guy in a Cambridge, Mass. bar trying to upstage Ben Affleck. You conveniently left out the context that the next line in Lincoln's letter gives your quote. "What I do about slavery, and the colored race, I do because I believe it helps to save the Union; and what I forbear, I forbear because I do not believe it would help to save the Union."(www.abrahamlincolnonline.org/lincoln/speeches/greeley.htm). When he says "save the union", he isn't talking synonymous to resolving the Civil War. To Lincoln, saving the United States and uniting the country right then and there were not synonymous. Lincoln is talking about perserving the United States as a nation going forward, not ending the civil war. He came to believe that the United States could not be saved long term without removing slavery from its borders permanently, a view he personally came to gradually hold as the war went on.

[@briansass4865]

@@frenchydawg Thank you. A lot of people quote the first part of the Greeley letter and ignore the second part, which adds important context.

[@SeatBill]

Every time I watch this scene, I laugh.... because I think every President should be assigned someone like this; someone who will look him (or her) in the eye, and say, "I really don't give a crap if you're the President," and things like "I think you DON'T do what's right, if it means you lose votes!" Presidents - like everyone else - need to be slapped on the back of the head every once in a while, just to give them the proper perspective, and keep them looking in the mirror. Some Presidents need it much more than others; Clinton, Obama, Carter; they all practically scream out, *"Someone give me a good slap on the head!"* GWB, too. President Trump? Not so much. He's a guy from New York who's wallowed in the dirt of life a lot more than the others - and that perspective now makes him tough and strong.... whereas, the other guys lack what experience like that adds to a person's character. This is the great secret of Donald Trump; one he learned the hard way: *Sometimes being "uncouth" and saying what he really thinks isn't a FLAW; it's a FEATURE - when you don't use it for the wrong reasons!* Some might THINK he's using it for the wrong reasons (and I'm prepared to stipulate that he DOES, sometimes)... but he doesn't do it often enough to make you think it's a major part of his character - unless you're the target! And in that case; the question shouldn't be, "Why is he saying these things?", but "why is he saying these things TO ME!?!" *Self-aware people ask themselves that last question; people who are weak, overly sensitive, and suspect their character has too many flaws, DON'T. How people REACT to Donald Trump, tells you much more about that person... than it does Trump himself!*

[@berkeleyfuller-lewis3442]

Can you imagine this scene with the DDD-f (demented) / Defective Dumpster-fire as President? No, neither can I.

[@davidcarter2720]

I am all over the place with this scene. It drives me crazy in that part of me thinks it's schlocky, cliche psychiatry boilerplate. But then I like it because it's schlocky, cliche psychiatry boilerplate - as Bartlett will view ANY shrink's attempts to analyze his actions, his personality, his potential, and his demons as exactly that - no matter what. Then I go back to not liking it because this is one of the few roles I DON'T like Adam Arkin in - I never buy him as a psychiatrist capable of more than psychiatric tropes; I know he's a great actor, but here he seems a mediocre actor playing a mediocre actor/psychiatrist. But then I realize that's what is likely the director's intent while illustrating the (near) folly of attempting to have Pres. Bartlett accept him as someone who actually can meaningfully contribute to his not-yet-fully-realized ability to deliver the greatest positive impact he can. Then I wonder ... did my Dad hit me, and I've just forgotten it?
Ah well, ... my time is up here.

[@na3044]

Heh, the 1990s and the therapy-fad. Thank god that shit has gone away again.

[@SeatBill]

I was watching this again, and I thought, "this is one of my favorite scenes in WW!" Why? Because someone told Bartlett to his face what his shortcomings were, and how he was still trying to get his father's approval! I absolutely LOVED that line, "Lincoln did what he thought was right, even though it cost him half the country; you DON'T do what's right, if you think it's going to lose Michigan!" That, to me, is almost every Democrat (and actually, most Republicans, too) in a nutshell - but ESPECIALLY Bartlett! I NEVER bought him as this incredibly smart man who loved "the common man" and governed according to principle; he was always showing other people up who didn't acknowledge his "massive brain" enough for him! Typical high-brow, snooty, left-coast Democrat who exists in a bubble! He liked Charlie Young because Charlie was so "loyal" to him - but, the SECOND Bartlett found out Charlie and his daughter liked one another....he turned into the man he truly was! "Not with MY daughter!" And his staff was little better than he was! CJ Cregg was essentially AOC with half a brain! Toby was twisted up in his own warped principles so much, I'm surprised he could walk straight! Leo was the most human person on the staff; because he'd wrestled with his own demons that NONE of the others could even IMAGINE, let alone relate to! And Sam.....Sam was the moral center of this rag tag group of refugees from morality! He was the ONLY one who had any real principles; he even defended the SOLE Republican on the staff, Ainsley Hayes - even after she demolished him on national TV in a debate, and then came to work in the White House!

[@yao052]

SeatBill What the hell are you talking about? Bartlett never forbade Charlie from dating Zoey nor was he angry about the thought of Charlie and Zoey dating. He was worried that racist people would be pissed off that a black guy was dating the president's daughter. And as it turned out at the end of season 1. He was right to be concerned since a bullet meant for Charlie hit him. And why did they try to kill Charlie? Because those racist were mad that a black guy was dating the president's daughter.