The 'Game On' Debate | The West Wing 

The current meatbag posing as a presidential candidate would endlessly lie about the election being rigged, and try to incite another insurrection. Anything to avoid accountability.

And the response he gave was brilliant “you’ll be back”

@@walterlowe7252 Yes - winning with class.

@@pdoylemi been a few years since we’ve seen any of that

@@walterlowe7252 All things considered, I thought Biden was fairly classy.

Was that the point? I believe you but I didn't see it.

@@randyzeitman1354yeah, it was to get him to stop worrying about random bs.

@@Johnny5isstillaliveno it was because the whole point want that the Tie Charlie was worrying about all episode was Lucky, Abby knew that the “luck” had come from the circumstances surrounding it. I have no doubt even if the tie has not been damaged she would have done the exact same thing because it was the moment that drove that first debate, not the tie on its own. It’s why they insist on Josh being the one to give the tie up so everything is the same.

I am doubtful we will ever get back to a time where debating something on its merits instead of attacking each other is more important. This show is a good reminder of what our country used to be like.

@@dr.davidenglish778 It is my current dilemma is how do we get to a point that both parties vote for the nation, and not for the party, or personal gain.

@@hawkthorn33 a strong third party would be a good start. That has been very difficult to do though. I'm hopeful about the last few states passing the interstate complex agreement that will basically change the electoral college into the popular vote for states that approved it.

Agreed. If only is surely all we can say in this day and age.

@@hawkthorn33you need a multiple party system with a genuine 3rd and 4th option that is different, not Just more right Republican or more left democrat. You need to move away from the college electoral system and move to a more representative system of electing your presidents. But a 3rd party, or maybe eve more then just 3 would be a good start

Stockard Channing is awesome.

same lol. i come back to it after every unfortunate presidential debate we've seen in the last 10 years.

Unfortunately, the audience for such a debate no longer exists. American education has fallen to a rock-bottom minimum, partly because of the success of the argument that national standards are unnecessary, and the states should set their own standards. No need to teach our kids "Eskimo poetry," so they don't learn much of anything at all...beyond the basics needed to work the counter at a McDonald's.

​@@Carneades2012 Don't need no edukation. We got social media for instant answers to every problem. And don't worry about artificial intelligence. We've already achieved that ourselves.

Martin Sheen was a political activist outside of his acting career. I'm guessing that his off-screen activism informed his interpretation of President Josiah Bartlett's character.

I'm trying to imagine what this show would have been if Kiefer Sutherland was the president.

Not quite, instead the far right took over the right

@@untexan The right welcomed them.

He needed the adrenalin from having the last-minute tie crisis.

I think the phrase that got me...and always will...is 10 word answers pretty much always come with a body count. And in The West Wing, Bartlet had been there in more than a few situations. Very poignant moment.

Debates used to be like this in the 70's and 80's

@@scallen3841 I ain't that the truth.👍 I was in school in the 60's and 70's and was an undefeated Debate/Forensics champion 3 years in a row. When I watch Trump try to participate in a debate, I have to consiously focus on not grinding my teeth.

@@glenbateman5960 to much bs

About the only advantage in the upcoming debate is that the microphones will be muted after the time limit for speaking is up. I suspect Trump will continue to try and talk but then he won’t be heard. Moderator do your job and enforce this,

I don't know why Biden and Trump are bothering to debate. Trump will turn it into a dumpster fire.

This is a television show, and a very idealistic one at that. Trump, if elected, will be immune from prosecution. I don't think any of us can imagine how far, and how different the United States will look under a virulent, and embittered Trump. There are a few certainties. Surrounded by far right activists and backed by Supreme Courts - and circuit courts - stacked with his judges, he'll ensure abortion seekers are punished. Ukraine will fall, and so will the Baltics, NATO will cease functioning, leaving both Europe and America weakened: an endless insurgency will replace the current war there, as Russians will march into Estonia next (like all past Russian invasions, Estonia has a significant Russian ethnic populace), Latvia and Lithuania will fall afterward. At home, things will be worse. Trump's Muslim banning executive order will look like a joke compared to the EOs he'll sign. He'll claim that, since the 2020 election was "stolen" (he'll claim interference in the 2024 election too), he can run for a third term, and he will run. States that defy Trump will see their governors arrested. Criticism of Trump in the media will be curtailed or outright banned by the same mechanisms Trump will use to rule - by decree, by dictate and by fear. Militias and violent mobs will be declared military units and used to eliminate anyone Trump feels needs to go, at any time he feels it. He isn't a man who considers things or plans things, he isn't a man who consults or takes advice from a West Wing staff full of Ivy Leaguers. Trump always says what he'll do before he does it. People say "he'll never do those things, he's all bluster". Then he does those things and worse. There's a lesson I learned from my parents who were Europeans in World War 2 and suffered under occupation in that time - Things can ALWAYS get worse. Trump's remarks (the Constitution is outdated, I'll be a dictator on day one) are tempered. There is truly no telling how bad things will get under Trump. January 26 was a dark day but will compare favourably with the days to come if Trump is re-elected. Bevause he has immunity - because he cannot be prosecuted for any crimes he commits as President - he can do whatever he wants.

Joe Biden is old although just 2 or 3 years older than Trump, but, clearly competent enough to keep the country from descending into madness and chaos. This isn't about protecting social security anymore. Or Medicare, welfare or even leftist ideas versus right wing ones. It is about ensuring Trump is not re-elected. It's about ensuring the safety and security of US citizens. Nothing I've said is far fetched. Read the Wikipedia page for Project 2025. No more Roe. That's history. No more curbs on executive power. That too is history. And Project 2025, a dystopian name given by The Heritage Foundation to the system of policies they will impose if Trump is elected, aims to expand, drastically, Presidential powers. And all that is just the start. The end ? An authoritarian bully who styles himself after tyrants seizing and maintaining total control of the Presidency for life. If Trump wins, that name - Donald Trump and his family - will rule America for generations. If Trump loses, he loses immunity from prosecution, and we will finally be rid of him. Biden is the only person who can stop this. There'll be time to criticise him later. Time later to hold his feet to the fire. But now the threat is Trump, and unless you want to see the end of a free America, please, for yourself and for those without money and power, for those who cannot insulate themselves from the destructive danger of Trump's madness, vote Biden. Vote Democrat, vote blue. There'll be a chance for a person like Bartlett, or a smart and young President again, an articulate and respected leader. But if Biden loses, you'll never see such a candidate ever again. Trump is the greatest threat to America, and to democratic rule. Without him, the Supremes Court would not be stacked with hyper partisan nuts. Things can only return to normal, and rise above that to Sorkin's idealism, an idealism that would be wonderful to see, if Trump loses. In four years out of office he will face more charges and will eventually flee the country. I would vote for a comatose Biden over an angry and vicious Trump. The risk is far too high to say "oh, this is all impossible". Ask yourself, if 8 years ago, you'd have believed a man would ban abortions (thanks to his nutcase court appointments). Ask yourself if 8 years ago you'd have seen that same court make the President able to commit crimes in office - legally. Ask yourself: Eight years ago would a President even refuse to concede ? Or if there'd he an attack on the Capitol ? Or if the President's own supporters would create a makeshift gallows on the Capitols steps ? It would have been unthinkable. Unimaginable. No terrifying political prospect is unimaginable now, should Trump be re-elected.

Ask yourself if 8 years ago you'd have seen a felon run for President, win a major party's nomination, and be ahead in the polls ? Unthinkable then. A Project 2025 under Trump is so disturbing a prospect that every American, even Trump's supporters, should be concerned. You can stop it. We all can. And for those of us who are civic minded, it's important that we do - and the only way we can do that is to vote for Joe Biden. There are no other options. The immediate prospect is to prevent Trump from seizing power. Everything else can come later.

You want a make believe character.

@@goosetown4715 I want Superman as President

You clearly didn’t see the previous episode when Richie insulted the president to his face, or this episode when Bartlet calls out Richie for being disrespectful and smearing him. What you wrote applies to the Vinick-Santos election. The show implies that this one was muddy.

@@tonydejesus2134 Nope, I watched every episode when it first aired. What we see is vastly better than what we have now.

@@tonydejesus2134 the one at the opera house? Yes I remember it. Ritchie called Bartlett an "elitist snob" and said he (Barlette) is a "superior son of a b****. That is mild compared to what is happening now. I'm one of the last people you want to challenge about West Wing lines.

@@dr.davidenglish778I mean at least Ritchie didn’t say it was rigged, which is technically an improvement - of course, when you’re losing Indiana, Nebraska and South Dakota as a Republican, you really lose the right to complain about how the election was carried out.

@@Uller1967 better than now, for sure - but there WAS name-calling and mudslinging, contrary to what you wrote. Richie demonstrated no respect. It was Vinick and Santos that showed class and dignity.

I’m watching all seasons again on Hulu. Richard Schiff was in Good Doctor, tremendous show also

Agree-but it would have been better had she said “the phantom punch Ali never gave LISTON!.” There were no phantom punches against Foreman.

@@kblenseigne Ali threw a flurry of punches at an exhausted Foreman. Ali prepared to throw one more punch but he didn’t throw it because Foreman was already going down. CJ was making a sports analogy. Bartlett had already won no need to for the extra punch.

@@alexius23 Tru dat, thanks! It’s just famous “phantom punch” is the one thrown at Liston that put him down despite the video evidence of it not landing. I remember that fight you were talking about too where Ali roper-doped Foreman to exhaustion. One of the most classic of all fights! Maybe CJ (Sorkin) knew more nuanced boxing than I initially gave credit! Appreciate you bro for the response.

Pretty sure that wasn't punishing.

She's surely thinking "He'd better not stop at one!"

OMG yes!!!

You mean imaginary

HBO Max...every night I go to bed to it

I noticed that from the first showing all those years ago. Shows the playfulness between a husband and his wife. Proves how much chemistry Martin Sheen and Stockard Channing had with each other. Perfection.... even the small smile Dr. Bartlet had immediately afterwards; she enjoyed that public spanking!

No, they’re on the table right behind her right hand

I remember at the time the show was on the air, so many people wanted Martin Sheen to run for President for real. But he kept reminding everyone it was a TV show, and he was not Bartlet, he was an actor!!! He played it so well, sometimes I forget he's fictional.

Well they do have a decent amount of kids

Or ten safe words

They had these up many years ago and removed them. Warner Brothers closed their offices in many of the Asian countries because of pirating.

I don't think the 10 words is intended as some kind of ironclad rule. The idea is that it's short, it's punchy, it's easy to fit in your head and it gives people on the fence a reason to vote for you. Besides, his answer is "The people know how to spend their money better than the government does." That's 13 words, counting articles. Pretty close, I'd say.

Don’t look a gift horse in the mouth lol

They had it on DVD previously. I had all 7 seasons. I have a cheaper way of getting them and saving them now.

Why? It was not shot in hi def - and it is not the sort of content where that even matters. Just buy the DVDs or stream it.

@@dr.davidenglish778 I own the DVD

@@pdoylemi I own the DVD. Old shows get remastered all the time these days. The streaming quality is already better than the DVD - hence why I‘d love a Bluray. Happy?

@@FJD894 I guess, but I don't see the point. You are the extremely RARE person who would care about the quality of the video being marginally better. No one will invest in that. I really don't need to see Jed Bartlett's nose hair to enjoy it. I have remastered versions of the original Star Wars trilogy - that's worth it - though barely but the special effects look so much better I was willing to upgrade. But I also still have "To Kill a Mockingbird" on VHS tape along with many other old movies where the picture quality adds almost nothing to it.

He didn't. Bartlet meant he'll be back into politics, but not back in the running for President.

The Secretary said those exact same words to CJ on the plane to the debate.

😂😂😂😂😂

I admit I did a double take watching this episode originally. RIP, John Aniston.

Yes, they have, Nowadays, candidates talk over each other during debates, instead of shutting up and letting the other speak.... like the proper structure of a debate.

Earlier in the episode his lucky tie was ruined. It was a last second tie given to him by Josh before a debate in the his first campaign. Dr. Bartlett decided to replicate the Genesis of the lucky tie.

That's a really odd thing to be upset by.

It's implied to be the highlights of a debate. Debates usually go an hour or more. It's implied the whole debate was an asskicking with these being the top moments

It's definitely a liberal fantasy, but Ritchie is a riff on GWB who really did communicate in a lot of these banalities.

The West Wing was a top 10 show, what were they gonna do, have Bartlet lose?

Plus I think one of the big things missed is that Richie was thought to be just not smart enough, so I guess the debate and this clip reiterates this... thus, the "crime, boy I don't know"

Regardless of the amount, Florida still gets money from the Federal government. That was Bartlett's point: 'you want the Federal government out of your back yard? Fine -- but we're taking our money with us when we go'.

And my point was that the Fed takes more money from Florida than it gives. So if you’re taking “your” money, Florida isn’t going to give you any either. Net win for Florida.

@@jameshetu6885 Only if you call it a 'net win' to lose out on several billion Federal dollars. There are 48 other states in the Union, as well, any of which would /love/ the extra money that was freed up from Florida's budget. The Federal government won't be hurting nearly as much as you seem to be predicting. But anyhow. Just wanted to put my oar in the water. :) Have a good one.

I’m saying it goes both ways. You’re assuming that Florida keeps paying taxes to the Federal government. I’m saying if the Fed cuts off Florida, Florida will stop paying into the Federal government and the benefit will be a net gain for Florida. Yes, they don’t get billions from the Fed but they also don’t pay in Billions to the Fed. Florida pays in more than it takes. And you can’t call it secession because it was the Federal government you expelled Florida.

@@jameshetu6885 Which years are you pulling your data from? Has this always been the case? The show is pretty old.

As flawed as the US system is (I am totally against the Electoral College system, but I'm not a US citizen), the Gettysberg Address said it best... 'and that government of the people, by the people, for the people,...' My interpretation is that the government is CHOSEN by the people. If Congress, Senate and the President is drafted in, so many people would be up in arms about how they didn't vote for the President. That is why a Royal Family of a country holds minimal power, and their Prime Ministers (whose party are voted into power) are the ones who make the decisions. Arguing against my own opinion, we all saw what happened with Biden and Trump, where people did not accept the result, simply because their guy didn't win. Imagine the uproar of a President was drafted in. EVERYONE would argue against it.