Quote Leo McGarry day

[caz963]

Has it really been three years?

LEO
When you read in my personnel file that I had been treated for alcohol and drug abuse, what went through your mind? Karen, it's okay, you can say it. The worst thing I'm empowered to do is fire you and I've already done that.

KAREN
My father drank a lot...

LEO
So did mine. In fact he died from it. He came home late one night very drunk, my mother was yelling at him. I'm not sure about what, but I heard the yelling downstairs from my bedroom. She came upstairs and he went out to the garage and shot himself in the head.

KAREN
Is that why you drank and took drugs?

LEO
I drank and took drugs because I'm a drug addict and an alcoholic.

KAREN
How long did it take you to get cured?

LEO
I'm not cured. You don't get cured. I haven't had a drink or a pill in six and a half years, which isn't to say I won't have one tomorrow.

KAREN
What would happen if you did?

LEO
I don't know. But probably a nightmare the likes of which both our fathers experienced. And me too.

KAREN
So after six and a half years you're still not allowed to have a drink?

LEO
The problem is, I don't want a drink, I want ten drinks.

KAREN
Are things that bad?

LEO
No.

KAREN
Then why?

LEO
'Cause I'm an alcoholic.

KAREN
I don't understand.

LEO
I know. It's okay. Hardly anyone does. It's very hard to understand.

KAREN
You're not like what I thought you would be like.

LEO
You haven't answered my question yet. When you saw my personnel file, when you saw I'd been through treatment, what when through your mind?

KAREN
My father used to... You have all these important decisions to make in your job, every day, all the time, decisions I can't even... people's lives.

LEO
Karen, what you did caused a lot of problems; for me, for the President, and for a lot of
people we don't even know. But I'm not sure it wasn't a little bit brave. Did you like working at the White House?

KAREN
Yes, sir.

LEO
Okay. Then why don't you go unpack your carton and you and I will give each other a second chance?

LEO
Andrew Jackson, in the main foyer of his White House had a big block of cheese.

TOBY
Hmmm.

LEO
I am making a mental list of those who are snickering, and even as I speak I'm preparing appropriate retribution. The block of cheese was huge--over two tons. And it was there for any and all who might be hungry.

TOBY
Leo, wouldn't this time be better spent plotting a war against a country that can't possibly defend itself against us?

LEO
We can do that later, Toby. Right now I'm talking about President Andrew Jackson.

SAM
Actually, right now, you're talking about a big block of cheese.

LEO
And Sam goes on my list!

SAM
What about Toby?

LEO
I'm unpredictable. Jackson wanted the White House to belong to the people, so from time to time, he opened his doors to those who wished an audience.

MANDY
And then he locked the doors behind them and made them eat two tons of cheese.

LEO
It is in that spirit...

SAM
Hang on. Mandy doesn't go on the list?

LEO
Mandy's new.

SAM
So it's just me... on the list?

LEO
Yes. It is in the spirit of Andrew Jackson that I, from time to time, ask senior staff to have face-to-face meetings with those people representing organizations who have a difficult time getting our attention. [beat] I know the more jaded among you, see this as something rather beneath you. But I assure you that listening to the voices of passionate Americans is beneath no one, and surely not the peoples'
servants.

JOSH
Sorry, we're late. Is it 'Total Crackpot Day' again?

LEO
Yes, it is.

and, from Let Bartlet Be Bartlet

And we're gonna lose some of these battles, and we might even lose the White House, but we're not gonna be threatened by issues. We're gonna put them front and center. We're gonna raise the level of public debate in this country, and let that be our legacy.