- [the staff is waiting for the President's meeting to end]
- Josh Lyman: How's he doing in there?
- Sam Seaborn: He's got that look on his face like he's thinking about ways to kill himself.
- President Josiah Bartlet: This is a debate that is obviously going to continue in town halls and city halls and state legislatures and the US House of Representatives. There is a population of this country that seems to focus a great deal of time and energy on this conversation, so much so that I am moved to ask this question: Is there an epidemic of flag-burning going on that I'm not aware of?
- President Josiah Bartlet: [talking about Josh] And don't you ever slap Josh Lyman around again. That guy is the White House Deputy Chief of Staff. He's not one of your associate producers.
- Ted Marcus: You're right.
- President Josiah Bartlet: Don't screw around with me now, Ted. I'm really not in the mood.
- Ted Marcus: I mean it. You're right.
- [Leo is exasperated that the President is pushing himself too hard]
- Leo McGarry: Be that way.
- President Josiah Bartlet: Your impersonation of my mother is getting sharper and sharper, you know that?