The West Wing (TV Series)

20 Hours in America: Part II (2002)

Martin Sheen: President Josiah Bartlet

Photos 

Quotes 

• Josiah Bartlet : Hey, do we have a GPS-read on Josh and Toby? Have they been sighted?

  Sam Seaborn : I talked to them a little while ago; they're on their way.

  Josiah Bartlet : 300 IQ points between them, they can't find their way home. I swear to God, If Donna wasn't there they'd have to buy a house.

• Josiah Bartlet : The happy fun group.

  Leo McGarry : We have reason to believe that in the next 48 hours the Qumari rescue team will announce that they've recovered a military-issue Israeli-made parachute.

  Josiah Bartlet : They're just allowed to make things up now?

  Nancy McNally : As long as we won't step up and say it was us, they do.

  Josiah Bartlet : They know it was us, right?

  Leo McGarry : Yeah.

  Josiah Bartlet : Is that what you think we should do?

  Nancy McNally : Me?

  Josiah Bartlet : Yeah.

  Nancy McNally : No, I don't. I am, however, beginning to lean towards reducing our nuclear arsenal one at a time if you know what I mean, sir.

  Josiah Bartlet : What about you?

  Percy Fitzwallace : Well, I'm with Dr. Strangelove on keeping our military secrets secret.

• President Josiah Bartlet : *giving a speech to a full ballroom* More than any time in recent history, America's destiny is not of our own choosing. We did not seek, nor did we provoke, an assault on our freedom and our way of life. We did not expect nor did we invite a confrontation with evil. Yet the true measure of a people's strength is how they rise to master that moment when it does arrive. Forty-four people were killed a couple of hours ago at Kennison State University. Three swimmers from the men's team were killed and two others are in critical condition. When, after having heard the explosion from their practice facility they ran into the fire to help get people out. Ran into the fire. The streets of heaven are too crowded with angels tonight. They're our students and our teachers and our parents and our friends. The streets of heaven are too crowded with angels, but every time we think we have measured our capacity to meet a challenge, we look up and we're reminded that that capacity may well be limitless. This is a time for American heroes. We will do what is hard. We will achieve what is great. This is a time for American heroes and we reach for the stars. God their memory. God bless you, and God bless the United States of America.

  Bruno Gianelli : *to Sam* When did you write that last part?

  Sam Seaborn : In the car.

  Bruno Gianelli : *beat* Freak.

• President Josiah Bartlet : ...sustaining hope in this winter of anxiety and fear. More than any time in recent history America's destiny is not of our own choosing. We did not seek nor did we provoke an assault on our freedom and our way of life. We did not expect nor did we invite a confrontation with evil. Yet the true measure of a people's strength is how they rise to master that moment when it does arrive. Forty-four people were killed a couple of hours ago at Kinnesan state university. Three swimmers from the men's team were killed, two others are in critical condition. When after having heard the explosion from their practice facility they ran into the fire to help get people out. Ran INTO the fire... The streets of Heaven are too crowded with Angels tonight. They're our students and our teachers and our parents and our friends. The streets of Heaven are too crowded with Angels. But every time we think we have measured our capacity to meet a challenge. We look and we are reminded that that capacity may well be limitless. This is a time for American heroes. We will do what is hard. We will achieve what is great. This is a time for American heroes and we reach for the stars. God bless their memory and God bless you all. And God bless the United States of America.

  Bruno Gianelli : When did you write that last part?

  Sam Seaborn : In the car.

  Bruno Gianelli : ...freak.