- Vice President Bob Russell: You know what they call a leader with no followers? Just a guy taking a walk.
- President Josiah "Jed" Bartlet: Well, I'm not going to negotiate with anyone who holds a gun to my head. We had a deal. I don't care if my approval ratings drop into single digits. I am the President of the United States, and I will leave the government shut down until we come to an equitable agreement.
- Josh Lyman: Let's go up to the Hill and see them. The country's waiting for someone to step up. It should be us.