- C.J. Cregg: Overwhelming response to the State of the Union. Thirty-six interruptions for applause.
- Jed Bartlet: I don't know what's more embarrassing: that we count them or that I care.
- [first lines]
- Interviewer: Well, the speech
- [referring to President Bartlett's final State of the Union address]
- Interviewer: was one of the president's best, and thank you for not making it too long.
- Toby Ziegler: We were aiming for pith.
- Interviewer: And you succeeded.
- [Late-night meeting for which the West Wing staff has been called back to the White House from their homes. The number 365 is written on a white board positioned prominently in the room]
- Leo McGarry: Busy day around here today.
- [turning to Kate Harper, Deputy National Security Advisor]
- Leo McGarry: What'd you spend it on?
- Kate Harper: Uh, Bolivia.
- Leo McGarry: Well, no... You spent it on a situation in Bolivia, a crisis. I understand the gravitational pull. North Korea pokes a hole in the fence, it gets your attention. As do whiny Cabinet members, floods, and new employment figures. Pretty soon it's a whole day. Problem is, we're running out of them.
- [goes to white board, erases the 5 in 365 then writes a 4 in its place and adds the word 'days.']
- Leo McGarry: That's how much time we have left. We have the ability to affect more change in a day at the White House than we'll have in a lifetime once we walk out those doors. What do you want to do with them?
- Jed Bartlet: I had dinner with an old friend tonight. I thought everyone should hear what he had to say.
- Leo McGarry: I want to read you something. 'The harder the conflict, the more glorious the triumph. What we obtain too cheap, we esteem too lightly; 'Tis dearness only that gives everything its value.'
- Charlie Young: [to Toby Ziegler, White House Communications Director] You?
- Will Bailey: Thomas Paine.
- Toby Ziegler: He said, ''Tis.' Might have been a clue?