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Storyline
Magicians Penn and Teller give a controversial performance at Zoey's birthday party in the White House that threatens to drown out the news of the impending China trip. President Bartlet goes to New Orleans on his way to China after unexpectedly requesting briefings be postponed until they are in the air. Josh tries to decide which Democratic presidential candidate he wants to support, and is alarmed that Bartlet wants to appoint California Republican Congressman Arnold Vinick to be Ambassador to the United Nations. Written by
Murray Chapman
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Did You Know?
Trivia
Senator Vinick's shoes being shined are from Allen Edmonds, famous for their handmade shoes of every US President since Ronald Reagan.
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Quotes
Leo McGarry:
[
to Josh on Arnie Vinick running for President]
You ever see Arnie Vinick campaign up close? He'll go into those high school gymnasiums in Iowa and New Hampshire and blow them all away. He'll shake every hand in the joint, kiss every baby, hug every widow on Social Security, and sound smarter and more honest than any Republican they've ever seen. Because he is.
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Connections
References
Access Hollywood (1996)
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Soundtracks
"West Wing Main Title"
(uncredited)
Written by
W.G. Snuffy Walden
Performed by
Pete Anthony See more »
One of the greatest "as themselves" appearances in show history, as Penn & Teller entertain at a White House birthday party for Zoey, and create an uproar when they appear to burn a flag. Josh's later confrontation with them is hysterical (and politically razor-sharp). The debut of the final major player in the WW saga: Senator Arnold Vinick, republican populist candidate for president (Alan Alda - M*A*S*H, SAME TIME NEXT YEAR, CRIMES AND MISDEMEANORS). You immediately buy the reality of his character, in no uncertain terms. Bartlet is off on Air Force One to the China summit, hiding the fact that M.S. paralysis is spreading through him. The surgeon general (Mary Kay Place) is along for the ride.