The West Wing, Season Five

Russell:
I admire speech writers. They have to have the tendency to doubt and the capacity to believe in equal measure.... I'm playing with a handicap.... Spare tire on the automobile of government. Heartbeat away from having a heartbeat.... I may need more help than that dead guy you got elected in Orange County, Will. I may need some political life support myself.... I'd like you to be my Communications Director.... I know I'm not the best politician, but here I am Vice President of the United States.

Will:
Sir, I'm a special assistant to the President.

Russell:
Chief strategist and senior counselor to the Vice President.

Will:
Are we playing poker?

Russell:
I'm showing you my hand.

Will:
You're looking for your own Toby Ziegler.

Russell:
I'm looking for someone who can beat Toby....

Will:
Thank you, sir, but I'm not interested.

Russell:
I like loyalty, Will. I respect loyalty. But you can run out the clock on a Bartlet Presidency that in effect is over. You can finish something that you never started in the first place.... Or you can shape the next presidency from the ground up. Total access. Coach of the team.