Josh Pitches Concessions and Promises Bartlet Call to Flip Welfare Bill Holdouts
Plot Beats
The narrative micro-steps within this event
Josh faces skepticism from three legislators about the welfare bill's timing and content, questioning its feasibility for women on welfare.
Josh counters objections with policy adjustments, trying to garner support by highlighting child care funding and transportation subsidies.
The legislators push back harder, citing primary concerns and women's issues, forcing Josh to acknowledge the political risks.
Josh makes a final political play, leveraging the President's influence by promising a call during intermission to sway the no votes.
Who Was There
Characters present in this moment
Determined resolve masking mounting frustration from unyielding pushback
Josh Lyman stands firm in the Mural Room, urgently pitching bill benefits like childcare billions and subsidies, acknowledging their 'no' votes, then stands and exits while promising a direct presidential call during Broadway intermission to seal the deal.
- • Secure 'yes' votes from the three holdouts for welfare bill passage
- • Leverage presidential authority to overcome fundraising and policy objections
- • The welfare bill's enhancements outweigh its flaws and deserve support
- • White House resources and personal intervention can flip skeptical legislators
Defensive skepticism rooted in electoral self-preservation
Man 3rd challenges Josh by noting Amy Gardner's competing fundraising offer and lambasts marriage incentives for risking women voters essential to his campaign, embodying legislative skepticism in this high-pressure negotiation.
- • Protect campaign viability by avoiding votes alienating key demographics
- • Extract maximum concessions before considering a flip
- • Marriage incentives will doom electoral chances without women voters
- • Alternative fundraisers like Amy Gardner provide leverage against White House pressure
Wary skepticism blending policy concern with political caution
Unidentified Legislator (Man 1st) probes White House priorities on the Broadway vote timing, cites primary pressures, questions women training under 38-hour work rules, confirms 'no' vote, and presses for presidential call timing, sitting to underscore resistance.
- • Highlight bill flaws impacting constituents to negotiate better terms
- • Test White House commitment before committing to a vote change
- • Work mandates hinder real welfare reform and voter buy-in
- • Presidential involvement signals serious White House investment worth probing
referenced by Man 3rd as a rival source who can provide fundraising aid
referenced by Josh as the one who will personally call the three legislators during the Broadway intermission
Location Details
Places and their significance in this event
The Broadway Theatre is referenced as the ironic backdrop for President Bartlet's scheduled intermission calls to the holdouts, weaponizing a cultural outing into a tactical presidential intervention amid the vote's frenzy.
The Mural Room serves as the intimate battleground for Josh's urgent wheeling-and-dealing with three recalcitrant legislators, its historic murals looming over rapid-fire exchanges on policy flaws and electoral math, amplifying the claustrophobic intensity of White House brinkmanship.
Narrative Connections
How this event relates to others in the story
"Josh's negotiation with legislators about the welfare bill leads to the political concession of appointing Brenda as Chairman of the Platform Committee."
"Josh's negotiation with legislators about the welfare bill leads to the political concession of appointing Brenda as Chairman of the Platform Committee."
Key Dialogue
"MAN 1ST: "How are the women supposed to train for life after welfare when they're required to work 38 hours a week?""
"MAN 3RD: "Forget the work hours. It's the marriage incentives. I can't run without women.""
"JOSH: "All right. These are three 'no' votes, right?" MAN 1ST: "Yeah." JOSH: "Okay. The President's gonna call you." MAN 1ST: "Do you know when?" JOSH: "No. Sometime during the first intermission.""