The West Wing, Season Two

Leo:
Alexander Hamilton didn't think we should have political parties. Neither did John Adams. He thought political parties led to divisiveness.

Toby:
They do. They should. We have honest disagreements. Arguments are good.

Leo:
Only if they lead to statesmanship. Or it's just theatre. And statesmanship is compromise.

Toby:
What about persuasion? They're coming for us, Leo.

Leo:
I know.

Toby:
I mean they're coming for us now.

Leo:
Toby, if you knew what it was like getting him to run the first time...

Toby:
I know.

Leo:
Like pushing molasses up a sandy hill. If I go and tell him it's time to run again he's going to get crazy... and frustrated. He's going to sink into his head and he's going to say he's not running.

Toby:
Yeah.

Leo:
Yeah.

Toby:
So we've got to do it for him. We'll keep it away from this office but we've got to get real now. Leo, Ann Stark's a war time consigliere. That's why she was bumped up.

Leo:
I'm a wartime consigliere too, Toby. I was just hoping it'd be peace time a little longer.

Toby:
Yeah.

Leo:
Shake my hand.

[Toby and Leo shake hands]

Leo:
We just formed it.

Toby:
Formed what?

Leo:
The Committee to Reelect the President.