TWW: Santos first offer of Secretary of State to Vinick

[@OurFantasyLife]

The writing on this show is so good. The subtlety Alda plays it with when he misunderstands Santos' offer the first time - Santos dropped the bomb on him, "how about secretary of state?" and Vinick misunderstands, thinking he's asking "who do you like for the job", when really he's *asking* him "how about you take the job?"
Alan Alda is such a masterful actor, and given good material it's hard to even tell he's acting, it just seems real.

[@Dirk-van-den-Berg]

Especially how Alda responds by slipping on the first syllable... s....secretary of state. I wonder whether that was in the script also or this part was improvised?

[@acars9999]

This was an amazing scene!

[@bugme143]

100%. Alda brought such character and depth to Vinick that I'm glad he signed up.

[@FutureReverberations]

This sub-plot of hiring Vinnick was one of my favourite in the entire series. 2 politicians from opposite sides coming together after the fight to govern.

[@Commandelicious]

We still dreamed back then, didn't we?

[@bugme143]

@@Commandelicious God, yes. Before Vinick's arc, I never thought that I would vote for a Republican. When he was running, and with his speeches, I said "This is a Republican I can vote for." Fast forward to today, and I don't think I'll vote for a Democrat for a while. Rand maybe, Kennedy if he'd stop trying to remove the 2nd, probably. But everyone else? Hard pass.

[@larrysullivan8890]

The way Vinnick's voice catches and his facial expression when offered the job ! He realizes the enormity of the job and gravity of being offered such a position.

[@DavidHeffron78]

And in the real world, the republicans say Obama was a gay, communist Kenyan.
Fools.

[@thephantomeagle2]

That’s Alan Alda for you. He was amazing in the role. When you consider he’s very liberal

[@voelligharmlos411]

@@DavidHeffron78 It´s a fictional series pal

[@DavidHeffron78]

@@voelligharmlos411 that's my point. This show us as about realistic as Star Trek.

[@voelligharmlos411]

@@DavidHeffron78 You´re definitely right!

[@MrPeterpiper1969]

Smits and Alda were brilliant in this show. What a shame we never had a Season 8 to show us how that relationship worked out once Santos was actually in the white house.

[@jan-olofharnvall8760]

MrPeterpiper1969: In my opinion this is the best casted production in TV-history so far, and I agree, a season 8 is needed🤓🇸🇪

[@jennifersman7990]

Exactly, Aaron Sorkin should’ve given us one more year following Santos’ administration and with some recasting he could’ve had a “West Wing:The Next Generation” and kept going

[@chrisjoy1321]

@@jennifersman7990 Sorkin left after S4 so idk how that would’ve happened

[@MrPeterpiper1969]

@David Smith I would have liked to see a Vinick administration myself, perhaps with Matt Santos being offered Secretary of Education. I think the Newsroom was great, set as it was in the real world and using real news stories as it's base. However, if it had one failing it was that Sorkin still believed in the existence of the moderate Republican being a successfully electable person. Sadly, thanks to the current climate I doubt a John McCain like Republican will ever be President in my lifetime. Nope, it's Trumpists and McConnell types for the GOP. They created their own monster and now they can't leave it behind because it would kill them in the primaries if they tried.

[@MrPeterpiper1969]

@@avae5343 You've lost me Avae. I'm talking about a fictional TV show. What are you talking about here? Personally, as far as real life goes I believe the Republican Senators who voted to accquit Trump are guilty of extreme moral and political cowardice. Frankly their specious, mealy-mouthed complaint that he's already left office were the faecal matter of a male bovine spouted by whining pathetic twerps who disgrace their country, party and themselves. And by the way, I am a member of the Conservative Party here in the UK so I don't say such things lightly. All forty three of them should lose their next election. Bigly. I'd rather see a Democrat in there than them right now.

[@DrownedInExile]

"I'm going to need another cop when Bartlet leaves office"
Andy Sipowicz will be happy to volunteer!

[@PHOTOGRAPHYBYDEREK1]

This show was second to none. Outstanding writing and acting.

[@antonio2048]

+Jimipedia i was a super fan of TWW, i was under de 18 when it aired, I like House of Cards; bit i think TWW is superior un all other aapects

[@Paul-zm1hb]

@@avae5343 criticized by Republicans

[@sphericalempirical9359]

Brought me to tears this scene, ... “Im not asking if you’d consider it, ...Arnie, I’m asking you to do it” .... I didn’t think the last 7 years could be bettered, ... hold my beer.

[@keyboarddancers7751]

It really is quite extraordinary that an entirely unemotional hard core political scene should bring one to tears. Absolutely superlative show writing.

[@MoviePolitik]

The whole episode Vinick felt like he'd lost and not only was he being given a win he was being told he's the only viable choice in the race

[@ajayddave5809]

Amazing how much smarter Vinick is then either CJ or Josh, neither of whom could figure out that Bartlett and Santos were doing a good cop bad cop strategy.
Also, really sweet to see Vinick surprised (a rarity) by the offer to be Sec of State and seemingly touched by it.

[@larrysullivan8890]

+ Ajay D Dave....good call. I know that Conservatives rail against the show as being to Liberal/Elitist.
However, the Republican characters portrayed by John Goodman and Alan Alda were shown to bbe tough, decisive, insightful and strategic

[@jasonkoch3182]

@@larrysullivan8890 Don't forget Cliff and the congressman who ended the hearing so Leo wouldn't have to embarrass himself during "Bartlet for America." Or Mr. Quincy. Or Judge Moretti. Or Congressman Landis in "Angel Maintenance." Most of the characters were portrayed as upstanding but flawed individuals. Conservatives who rail against the show haven't really watched the show.

[@larrysullivan8890]

@@jasonkoch3182 .....good call ! It's too bad that in these days of hyper-partisanship that all too often many people react instinctively against the " other" side without truly considering the contact.
Thanks for reminding me and stay safe !

[@larrysullivan8890]

@@jasonkoch3182 ....I forvot about Ainsley Hayes ! Not just when she kicked Sams ass on Capitol Beat but when she defended Jed and Leo against her Republican friends when they wee desperately trying to save the life of the President of thst African nation

[@jamessanders145]

You mean than not then. You're talking about intelligence so at least get that right.

[@JMUDoc]

Another nice scene is the one where Vinnick tells his own people about the offer and they jump on it - even the guy that was only there for the campaign and has no reason to take an interest in what came after.

[@Botfodder2]

I've been hoping that that one would pop up on my feed but alas I don't think it's on RUclips yet. Might have to bust out the DVDs or find the show streaming just to see it.

[@fockerjb]

Love that scene. One of my favorite lines from that episode was from the Bob Mayer character: "You think they'd horse trade with a job like State?"

[@pbennett13]

Country over politics... what a novel idea

[@xaenon]

We need 'Country over Politics' today.

[@kathrynblakeley9823]

@MikeJames6 If only politicians and the United States public believed this

[@JoefromNJ1]

when biden wins maybe he could ask trump to be his secretary of state.

[@FutureReverberations]

@MikeJames6 To be fair. Jack the ripper would be an improvement on whats in the white house at the moment.

[@prospero4183]

Its easy to have principles and great beliefs when u don't have to run on any of them.

[@randysauvage677]

My god. I miss this show. I didn’t think anyone could replace Bartlett, yet here they are. It took me 7 years to watch the west wing. GREATEST TV EVER.

[@geraldpatterson3903]

0:50...when Vinick saw through Santos scheme, Santos knew he had to have him for SOS

[@DavidHeffron78]

You are a fool. As a Republican Vinci’s thought “this silly bastard has given me the keys to ensuring a Republican President “.

[@clebo99]

I get teary every time I hear his Debt relief answer. So true.

[@varianschirmer9375]

The part of this episode I think I liked best was when Vinick's confidantes (played by Patricia Richardson & Steven Root) react to being told the offer.

[@edikando1574]

that's the part I was looking for,,

[@deansapp4635]

Smits and Alda were perfect together

[@markkostka6897]

In today's hostile clickbait headline ruled newscycle, this line stood out to me. "I'm not asking you to consider secretary of state, I'm asking you to do the job" What marvelous clarity. We need so much more of that.

[@vcdep991]

This was Santos’ first attempt at becoming the president. The way he asks him was very Presidential

[@landondyer]

This has me in tears right now. I am not kidding.

[@michaelmuldowney8]

While I have serious problems with the last two seasons of TWW - its was a joy to watch the magnificent Alan Alda in every scene that he was in. I wish he had won the election - just to see how crushed Josh would have been.

[@thatnorwegianguy1986]

He actually was meant to win but was changed by the screenwriters due too John Spencer dying (Leo McGarry).

[@SpydeyDan]

According to most of the writers, that's just an exaggerated rumor. The idea was floated in the writer's room, but it was never the plan.

[@kevinw712]

SpydeyDan+ Lawrence O'Donnell (one of the head writers) has stated plainly before that having Vinnick win the election was precisely the plan before Spencer's death. It wasn't just something they kicked around.

[@Cha11engerD]

They even wanted to do a Season 8 with a Vinnick administration, again Lawrence O'Donnell's words.

[@MatsThyWit]

@@Cha11engerD I have a feeling *Lawrence O'Donnell* wanted to do that, not the producers and majority of the rest of the writers.

[@TheHorrorReviewer1]

alan alda is TV gold first MASH and now the west wing. Long Live Alan Alda

[@chiefofsages]

While I loved him in MASH, I think that he did an even better job as Vinick.

[@randallbanks1589]

Was just about to post this very thing. What a great chemistry these two had.

[@FutureReverberations]

He was in a lots more good stuff too... The Blacklist jumps immediately to mind.

[@Legba85]

When i first saw this show, I just saw two actors. Now, after watching M*A*S*H & Nypd Blue, it's virtually impossible for me not to see these two and not realize its exchange between Hawkeye Pierce and Bobby Simone.

[@kalijasin]

I wish we had that kind of bipartisan corporation.

[@tmage23]

It does happen from time to time in the real world. Obama kept Robert Gates as his Secretary of Defense despite the fact that he was originally a Bush appointee.

[@greathornedowl3644]

Always loved the West Wing for its writing and ability to attract "a sprinkling of stars" Alan Alda, Jimmy Smits, John Goodman, and Karl Malden to name a few. This is a great plot twist, what LEADER would invite the other party's leaders to serve in his White House? Imagine Clinton or Obama offering McCain secretary of defense.

[@Hipnip1son]

I love TWW too. This scene is one of my favorites. Once upon a time people from the opposite party served in the Cabinet (latest example is Robert Gates as 44’s SOD). Unfortunately, I don’t see it happening again anytime soon.

[@seanwebb605]

Barack Obama did bring in John Kerry a former presidential candidate as secretary of state after another rival Hillary Clinton had served one term in the position. Sure they were in the same party, but they were once bitter rivals. Barack Obama did keep Robert Gates as secretary of defense from Bush's administration. Bill Clinton called upon Richard Nixon for advice on foreign policy. Bill Clinton and George Bush sr. became good friends after Clinton sent him packing as a one term president. In Canada our current prime minister called upon his father's rival Brian Mulroney for advice on renegotiating the North American Free Trade Agreement. Former prime minister Kim Campbell served as an ambassador and other roles for the leader who replaced her as prime minister.

[@louisehine1]

I LOVE this scene.

[@sphericalempirical9359]

So do I. You have wisdom beyond your years.

[@Vincentschneider007]

Have watched this series 4 times all the way thru.

[@tmoore4075]

Thank you for posting this!

[@patricktatum786]

Should have had alan alda as vice president that would have been a great power team that would have been democracy doesn't matter who president just as long as you get the job done right

[@ArtemisScribe]

Secretary of State is the real deputy leader of the country. Vice President is just the President's understudy.

[@lancer525]

As the Constitution was originally written, the loser of the general election became the Vice President.

[@ArtemisScribe]

@@lancer525 only because the Vice-Presidency was an after thought that was not given proper consideration when first put into place.

[@johngregory4801]

Seven years of banter and politics...
And this was BY FAR the best scene in the whole show.

[@andrewgundy3045]

BRING WEST WING BACK

[@royw-g3120]

Goddamnit this is how it is supposed to work. But never does , in fact more divided now than ever.

[@austinfry5977]

It's not a R or D after someone's name but rather whose the BEST person for the job who is picked. I miss this show.

[@yahulwagoni4571]

Vinick 2020. Vote Vinick!

[@chiefryback7906]

How much better would our governing system work if we had president's who actually did choose republicans to be in their cabinets and vice versa. That should actually be a law. That way they always remember they represent the people instead of a political party. Nice job on this scene Aaaron Sorkin, Lawrence O'Donnell and company. Very nice. Americans appreciate it. We can dream right?

[@salesman687]

james hague There are cases where this has happened already. For instance, Obama kept Robert Gates (a republican) on as secretary of defense from the previous administration. Admittedly, I guess he counts as more of a hold-over. Still, As president he could've picked someone else if he wanted to.

[@antourte1]

+james hague There is very often a "token Republican" or "token Democrat" in the cabinet. Sometimes more important than others - Robert Gates on Defense was a much more prominent position than usual (although he didn't spend nearly as much time in the public eye as old Rummy). In the Bush years for awhile it was Norman Mineta in the DoT.
State would be the biggest of them all, but that hasn't happened in a long time.

[@michaelheffernan2220]

+james hague Aaron Sorkin had long since left the writing staff of the West Wing by the 7th season. So thanking him is unnecessary.

[@jamescmcneal]

Obama's first secretary of defense was a Republican.

[@tfgmanual]

Well, if we had Republicans like Vinick in real life, it could happen...

[@MaxTSanches]

I would have loved to see a contiuation of the West Wing with Santos and Vinick. :)

[@bmw128racer]

Too bad there wasn't a Season 8... At least. NBC blew it.

[@antourte1]

After a severe drop in quality in season 5 and 6, having successfully pulled it back to a high note with a very successful election arc that is now unavoidably over, and with the departure of the Bartlet administration forming the perfect bookend for the show? It was the right decision, and the right time. The alternative would be trying to keep it going another 8 (or...4?) years. Not happening.

[@Paul-zm1hb]

While this show could sometimes be ridiculously unrealistic, at least we could imagine leaders who cared, unlike Trump and Cruz and DeSantis and and and

[@bbeen40]

This would have been sooooo good!!

[@tommybluenose]

I too loved this clip, I also love the one when he goes back to 'blow Santos out' & if anyone out there has that to upload then it would be greatly appreciate d

[@jennifersman7990]

I wanna find the clip where he first appears and stuns Josh by telling him he plans to run for President and then Josh has to tell Leo

[@grovercleavland2698]

Imagine if Barack Obama had asked John McCain to be his Secretary of State.

[@seanwebb605]

He kept Robert Gates as secretary of defense. Bill Clinton called upon Richard Nixon for advice in foreign policy.

[@doc4725]

He did ask McCain. McCain turned it down in favor of his friend Joe Lieberman. In the end Obama kept Bob Gates on and then asked Chuck Hagel to do the job next.

[@CherryGarage]

Just finished M*A*S*H .. And I've been looking up lots about alan Alda and all the actors.. I... Ahh. I'm happy to see this haha

[@thunberbolttwo3953]

He was in the black list to.

[@christophershannon9938]

The west wing season 8 must happen

[@MrJamHH]

touching ...

[@geoffreyrichardson8738]

How political partisanship should be, professional not advaserial

[@damiantgordon]

is it my other clip "TWW: Santos second offer of Secretary of State to Vinick" ?

[@antoniomaietta6671]

Alan Alda n.1

[@g0nt411]

What a beautiful concept. "I am not asking you if you consider to do it, I am asking you to do it.". He is not asking for making a personal favour to him, but a favor to the country, and at that point, who can say no? (Unless the president asking you is Trump since it is likely your ass will end up in jail)

[@MarcusLeepapi]

Very nice...I like this scene..

[@tommybluenose]

Lol thank you - well I DID post it at around 4:30am. Thanks Damian

[@theolamp5312]

Biden ws not my first choice Trump was my last choice. But, Biden's relationships with foreighn leaders has been important. Reinfigurating NATO after the last administration is not a small thing.

[@ai.117unsc4]

1:06 you want to go to speak Hillary Clinton to ask forgiveness I believe Bill Clinton must forgive he's nastyness

[@ai.117unsc4]

1:48 sorry my ass is to old this wars and my bones dosent have liquid to but this bugs to follow me only Bill Clinton can solve the problem